The 90 students and staff at the Sisian Art School in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Region dreamt of having a kiln to fire their ceramics work. However, the school lacked the financial resources to purchase the kiln. Through the efforts of Dr. Anahid Yeremian, a physicist at Stanford University, The Stanford University Armenian Student Association (ASA), and The Paros Foundation, the funds were raised and two new kilns were manufactured in Armenia and installed at the school.

Dr. Yeremian, who championed this cause, first visited the school in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Region on the way to the village of Vaghatin as part of the Stanford University ASA’s humanitarian effort, ACT for Armenia. Dr. Yeremian was so impressed with the talent and passion of the school’s students and teachers, that upon her return, she encouraged her family and friends and the Stanford University ASA to help raise funds for the kiln.

“Through the Paros Foundation, I continued raising funds from my friends and relatives. Paros was able to complete this project quickly, efficiently and at a much lower cost than I anticipated. Paros Foundation staff identified the right kilns and oversaw their delivery and installation at the school,” said Dr. Yeremian.

The Paros Foundation underwrote 100% of administrative expenses related to this project, which allowed all donor contributions to go directly to the purchase and installation of the kilns.

About The Paros Foundation

To honor the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, The Paros Foundation launched The Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity initiative in the fall of 2011 to benefit Armenia and her people. 100 pre-screened projects in the areas of development, education, cultural and humanitarian will be implemented to help make Armenia stronger and improve the lives of her people.

Officially launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation continues to support six organizations in Armenia (The Paros Chamber Choir (www.paros.am), Unison NGO (www.unison.am), Vanadzor Arts School (www.vanadzormusic.org), Manana Youth Center (www.mananayouth.org), Vanadzor Museum of Fine Art (www.vanart.org) and the Ghoghanj Children’s Center (www.childrenscenter.am).) These organizations serve as leaders in their respective fields of children, people with disabilities and the arts. Foundation support often comes in the form of organizational operating funds, office space and organizational resources, and mentoring. The mission is to help these organizations and their leaders to attract financial, human, and physical resources to their respective causes.

The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing 100% of donor contributions to go directly to the projects. Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, please visit  www.parosfoundation.org.

Multimedia Education Program Expands Countrywide

YEREVAN, ARMENIA—The Manana Youth Center won a major two-year grant from the United Nation’s Democracy Fund, which enables the Manana Youth Center to conduct a dozens of weeklong multimedia workshops for children throughout Armenia.

“We have been working towards the goal of enabling all of country’s young people to benefit from our proven educational programs.” Said Ruzan Baghdasaryan, Executive Director of the Manana Youth Center. “Our workshops will introduce basic skills in the areas of journalism, photojournalism and filmmaking.”

Participants, under the supervision of our expert instructors, produced films, shot photos and conducted interviews. An exhibition and film screening was held in Gyumri in the fall to feature Manana student’s works from the various regions. In 2014, these workshops will continue and a curated final exhibition will be held in Yerevan.

In August, Manana Youth Center organized a crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo and raised $5,000 for Sand Animals. The students of the Manana Animation Studio are currently implementing this animation project.

“This is the seventh year The Paros Foundation is providing support to the Manana Youth Center in the form of a grant for operational funding and quality program and office space. Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “It is inspiring that the Manana team has attracted prestigious funding for their training and the development of specific creative projects. Providing these opportunities for Armenia’s children encourages a young persons curiosity and his or her ability to express themselves.”

Other 2013 milestones included the presentation of two feature film documentaries at the Golden Apricot International Film Festival by Manana Films, the film production division of Manana Youth Center.
The Beginnings, a co-production documentary with Turkey, directed by Somnur Vardar, and Hit The Road: India – a travel adventure documentary, recognized later as an amazing adventure film of 2013 by Vimeo and Vanity Fair Italy were both well received by audiences. Hit The Road: India is now being successfully distributed via major digital platforms and will be broadcasted by several TV channels in 2014. The Manana film Everyone, who will meet me, won the Highlight Award at Young Filmmaker International Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Manana Youth Center is located in Yerevan, Armenia and provides multimedia training and afterschool education to 75 students ages 8 to 18 in the areas of filmmaking, journalism, photography and animation. Children engage in these hands-on activities, but most importantly, the skills they learn greatly improve their critical thinking.

In 2014 funding is needed to upgrade their equipment and to expand the program for an additional 20 children. The Manana Youth Center depends on support from the community and donors to meet its important mission. To get involved please contact Peter Abajian (310) 400-9061; and, to contribute please visit www.mananayouth.org. Support from The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing donor contributions to be allocated directly to Manana’s student programs.

Gyumri, Armenia— Just prior to Christmas, 2012 the Poghosyan family’s makeshift home—commonly known as a “domik” caught fire and burnt. Homeless and struggling from their loss, the family and their six children moved into yet another domik. The Paros Foundation, through its “Purchase a Home” project, part of its 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, launched an effort to solve the Poghosyan family’s housing needs. In early December 2013, the family was presented with keys to their new apartment thanks to the generous sponsorship of California donors, who simply want to be referred to as Nejde & Lilit.

“We first met the Poghosyan family during the implementation of our Gyumri Winter Rescue project in January 2013.” Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “It was hard to imagine what this family had gone through, and we quickly committed to figuring out what we could do to help.”

Learning of the plight of the Poghosyan family and wanting to help, Nejde & Lilit committed to the necessary funds and the search for a new apartment for the Poghosyan family began. Within several weeks, the transaction was complete and the family moved into their new apartment.

Throughout the process, our Gyumri Partner, Vahan Tumasyan, Executive Director of The Shirak Center, worked closely with our Armenia based Staff and spearheaded the effort to identify and help relocate the family.

The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses to allow 100% of sponsor contributions to be allocated towards the purchase the Poghosyan family’s home.

Today, almost 4,000 families in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city, still live in these unsafe, and extreme conditions, taking shelter in dilapidated buildings and in the rusted remains of overseas shipping containers. Some, left homeless following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, and other, simple victims of extreme poverty are left with little alternative than to live in these inhuman conditions.

The Paros Foundation and the Poghosyan express our deepest appreciation to Nejde & Lilit for making this miracle happen.

The Paros Foundation remains committed to helping alleviate this human suffering through its “Purchase a Home” project. To sponsor this or another Paros 100 for 100 project, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.
Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.

YEREVAN, Armenia—Share-a-Pair, a project of The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity distributed more than 50,000 shoes to children in need in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh this year.

“In its third year, Share-a-Pair has successfully distributed more than 75,000 pairs of new shoes and almost 1,000 pairs of warm winter boots to children in need,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “This has been particularly exciting because we have been able to engage hundreds of volunteers from around the world during our various distributions.”

In 2013, shoes were distributed to children in need, in more than 90 rural communities. Distributions were also made to children in boarding schools, kindergartens, orphanages and through other non governmental children’s organizations.

Helping meet the need of an impoverished child with a well-fitting pair of new shoes appropriate for school or play, improves their health and development. New shoes are costly and often times poise a financial hardship for parents of multiple children. Throughout the process, both children and their parents expressed their thanks for this bit of relief.

Through our partially funded Healthy Teeth Project, dental hygiene products were distributed to almost 2,000 children in select rural communities. SERVICE-Armenia 2013 participants both distributed the products and provided instruction on their proper usage.
Our partner, Focus on Children Now spearheaded shoe distributions throughout needy communities in Nagorno Karabakh. Ambassador John Heffern, US Ambassador to Armenia and the US Embassy’s Helping Hands group joined with our SERVICE Armenia 2013 Participants to distribution shoes to children in rural communities.

The Paros Foundation expresses its sincere appreciation to the donors, the Unison, NGO supporting people with special needs, Focus on children now, Ambassador John Heffern, the Helping Hands group at the US Embassy in Armenia, the Paros Foundation’s SERVICE Armenia 2013 participants and all the other volunteers that joined this important effort.

Share-a-Pair’s Operation Winter Boots continues to accept donations. A $20 contribution will provide a child in need a new pair of warm winter boots. The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing 100% of donor contributions to go directly to this project. To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.
Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.

 

SAN FRANCISCO — On November 16,
2013, the Paros Foundation’s Bay Area Committee held a successful Wine Tasting Event to raise funds for the reconstruction of the medical center in the village of Kurtan in Armenia’s Lori Region.

“Medical care in Armenia’s rural villages is in a dire condition and is in need of substantial investments for improvement,” said Bay Area Paros Committee Member, Susanna Cogswell. The residents of the village of Kurtan have no choice, but to depend this medical center for all of their family’s health care needs. Unfortunately, the center is in deplorable condition and is in need of a new roof, new windows and doors, a bathroom and a heating system.

An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the beautiful San Francisco home of Drs. Donald and Martha Missirlian to sample a variety of excellent wines paired with delicious food. Sommelier Michael Perry trained and led a team of Sommeliers to inform guests of the nuances of the various wines and sample throughout the evening. Paros Committee Members Valina Agbabian, Susanna Cogswell, Rita Kablanian, Martha Missirlian, Wendi Moradian and Julie Strauch prepared the evenings cuisine and created a delightful atmosphere in which guests could enjoy themselves while learning more about the Paros Foundation’s projects and help fund the Kurtan project.

Cogswell added, “The best way to determine which projects are in the most need is to simply visit the Paros 100 for 100 website (www.parosfoundation.org), which is exactly what happened when Rick and Wendy Moradian decided to make a wine donation toward rebuilding the medical center in village of Kurtan. This triggered momentum for the Paros Bay Area Committee to rally around this initiative and organize a wine event and auction. We were able to raise the necessary funds to fully support the renovation of the medical center. It was a fun, exhilarating and rewarding experience.”

Paros Foundation Founder and Chairman, Roger Strauch was in attendance and offered his vision for the Foundation’s approach and work in Armenia. Peter Abajian, Executive Director discussed the Paros 100 for 100 initiative and specifics on several projects in need of sponsorship including the Kurtan village’s medical center. At the conclusion of the evening, Abajian announced that more than $18,000 was raised throughout the event and that renovation on the Kurtan medical center would begin in the spring.

“I would like to extend our appreciation to the Paros Foundation’s Bay Area Committee, our Sommeliers and all the guests and donors that attended and contributed. Your hard work and generosity will make a tremendous difference in the lives of the people in the village of Kurtan,” said Peter Abajian.

For more information about the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, or to sponsor a project, please visit www.paros-foundation.org. The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be allocated 100% to the project. Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

San Francisco, CA—Recently, two new pianos were donated to the Kanakeravan Art School by the St. Johns Armenian Church parishioners and their Sayat Nova Cultural Committee.

In honor of the first year Anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Father Mesrob Ash, the Church held a Gala Concert with proceeds benefiting the purchase of two new pianos for the Art School in the village of Kanakeravan in Armenia’s Kotayk region.  This project was selected by the Sayat Nova Cultural Committee Members through The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity list of projects.

“Students in the village of Kanakeravan were studying piano on instruments that were in terrible condition.”  Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation; “This is the second project we were able to successfully implement at this music school thanks to the support of our generous donors and friends.”

To both the excitement of the students and teachers the new pianos were identified, purchased and delivered to the school prior to the start of the 2013-14 school year. The Paros Foundation expresses its deepest appreciation to the St. Johns Armenian Church parishioners, the Sayat Nova Cultural Committee and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Ash for working to ensure the success of this important project.

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.
Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.

TARZANA, CA—The Tognozzi Family of Tarzana, California has recently established the Marc Tognozzi Memorial Fund through The Paros Foundation to memorialize the untimely passing of their son Marc to benefit charitable projects in Armenia.

“With the creation of the Fund in Marc’s memory, I am hoping to be able to fund projects through The Paros Foundation that fall within my son’s passion for children, education and his love of Armenia.” Said Marc’s mother, Esther (Chelebian) Tognozzi.

The Fund has already allocated support to several of The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 projects for prosperity to recognize the upcoming centennial of the Armenian Genocide.  Through the Adopt-a-Classroom project, a classroom in the village of Hatsik in Armenia’s Armavir Region was completely remodeled including new doors and windows, window blinds, electrical upgrades, flooring, paint, chalkboards and desks for the children in memory of Marc.  In addition, via the Keep Warm initiative, more than 50 families living in extreme poverty in Armenia’s Shirak Region will receive a one-month allocation of firewood for heating and cooking.  Finally through the Share-a-Pair Winter Boots project, more than 400 needy children will receive warm winter boots this year.

Marc Antony Tognozzi was born and baptized to Jan and Esther (Chelebian) Tognozzi on April 27, 1985 in Tarzana, California.

Marc enthusiastically celebrated his Italian and Armenian ancestry with all the culture, traditions and cuisine of each. He enjoyed school, travel especially to Armenia and Kessab, outdoor adventure, camping, fishing, and working in the family business. At age 15 he completed the U.S Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program including a full coronation ceremony at the Coronado Naval Base in San Diego. Marc then joined the California Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol program and served dutifully at Southern California air show events as a uniformed cadet. By age 17 he also completed and earned many Boy Scout merits and badges as a member of the local Armenian chapter throughout his youth.
Marc Antony Tognozzi passed away abruptly at 28 years of age. Marc is survived by his mother and father, sisters Nyree and Danielle, and his beautiful fiancée Alina. Marc was the oldest of 12 grandchildren and the second oldest of his 11 first cousins. He remained closely bonded to his grandparents his four aunts and three uncles in his own perceptive way.

Donations to the Marc Tognozzi Memorial Fund are accepted online at parosfoundation.org/marc-tognozzi-fund. Or via mail to:  The Paros Foundation, 918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.  The Paros Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.  All contributions to The Paros Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.