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The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative and overhead costs allowing 100% of all donor contributions to go directly towards projects and supported organizations.

Donations to The Paros Foundation Projects for Prosperity are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. To sponsor a project through The Paros Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization (Tax ID 20-5094630), or learn more about specific projects in need of funding, please contact us using the information below.

Contacts

2217 5th Street

Berkeley CA 94710

info@parosfoundation.org

(310) 400 9061

Category: Paros Blog

Paros Blog

We Are Raising $50K for 60 Years!

Join us in raising $50,000 for Debi Arach to celebrate Peter’s 60th birthday!

They say 60 is the new 50 and our Executive Director, Peter Abajian, is making sure we don’t forget that! To celebrate this milestone birthday we are raising $50,000 to go towards Debi Arach Children’s Center!

If anyone knows Peter they know he is full of life and joy, and ultimately has the biggest giving heart so we thought it would be perfect to give in a big way. Join us in celebrating 50 as the new 60 and let’s make a sizable dent in the Debi Arach operating budget for this upcoming year!

Paros Blog

SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals 2024 Application Now Live!

Back for a third year, SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals is a trip designed for participants ages 24-45, taking place this October 12th-26th! This trip was created for young professionals who want to tour Armenia while participating in service work with other young adults. We can work with participants to engage in Armenia within their professional areas as well. For example, a teacher can spend a day at an Armenian school volunteering. This trip is a great opportunity to network within the Armenian professional community, and to bring people together for an unforgettable experience!

Participant fees are $3,500 per person for single occupancy or $2,600 per person for double occupancy (including a $400 charitable contribution towards defraying service project costs), not including airfare.

Registration deadline is July 15th.

“While I’ve been lucky to have been to Armenia plenty of times before, there is a newfound appreciation when you visit as a working, young professional. As someone forging their own career and professional path, the inspiration you gain from visiting as a young adult is unlike any other.”

-Aram Nahabedian, 2022 participant

“SERVICE Armenia provided me with the best first experience in Armenia. This group of young professionals went as strangers and returned as family. I was thoroughly impressed with all the accommodations, excursions, and experiences. I can firmly say I will be going back.”

-Eric Nikssarian, 2022 participant

If you have any questions about our SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals 2024 program please call Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 or contact him via email pabajian@gmail.com.

Paros Blog

Online Auction To Support The Nor Hachen Clinic Is Now Live!

Help us revamp healthcare delivery for residents in the greater community of Nor Hachen!

Support by bidding on our online auction, or if you are in Los Angeles, join us for an enjoyable, informational, and elegant gathering to raise funds to help equip the clinic.

SUPPORT OUR AUCTION

Explore these and other beautiful items here.

YOU’RE INVITED!

If you are in Los Angeles, join us for an enjoyable, informational and elegant gathering to raise funds to help equip the clinic.

$250 Donation – Individuals
$150 Donation – Students
– RSVP by April 15th –

Can’t Attend?
Support by bidding on our auction benefiting the clinic!

For inquiries, please contact Peter Abajian
peter@parosfoundation.org or (310)400-9061

Paros Blog

Update on Artsakh Refugee Support Fund

Dear friends and supporters,

As part of the Paros family of friends and supporters, I would like to present to you our third update on The Paros Foundation’s relief and resettlement activities surrounding the devastating Artsakh situation.

Since our brothers and sisters in Artsakh were first held hostage via blockade for almost 10 months, and then subsequently driven from their ancestral homeland, with the generous support of Paros donors, we were able to accomplish both a significant amount of humanitarian relief work and work on resettling these families into Armenia.

Last month when our team and I, and additional volunteers, were in Armenia, we worked tirelessly to move our relief efforts forward. The situation overall remains heartbreaking. While more than 100,000 people fled Artsakh and were immediately accepted into Armenia, the lack of employment and quality housing is making it difficult for these people to restart their lives. The Government of Armenia has provided rental assistance for these people, and will continue this assistance through the end of 2024. We met several people who have secured meaningful employment, however the majority of people in Yerevan are still looking for work. During my last trip in October to Armenia, we met with refugees and our general feeling was that a regular flow of humanitarian aid was being coordinated and reaching the refugees including food, clothing and some other necessities. During this trip, it was clear that most of that aid had ended.

The following is a detailed report on our work regarding Artsakh and the refugees since December 2022.

LIFELINE SUPPORT

During the blockade of the population of Artsakh (12/22-9/23), The Paros Foundation helped facilitate the urgent delivery of more than 740 tons of food to families in collaboration with other major Armenian organizations.

HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT

  • Following the forced exodus of our brothers and sisters from Artsakh, The Paros Foundation facilitated the delivery of more than $80,000 in direct financial assistance to displaced families from Artsakh. This was done in collaboration with a major Armenian-American organization.
  • In collaboration with Zadur Shoes, 500 pairs of high quality, made in Armenia, winter boots were distributed to refugees throughout Armenia. Additionally, thanks to a generous donation of St. Mary’s Armenian Church, Costa Mesa, CA, 250 pairs of new, high quality, made in Armenia, children’s winter boots were distributed to refugees in Goris, Kajaran, Vardenis and Gyumri.
  • 170 new warm winter coats were distributed to refugees in Goris, Kajaran and Gyumri with the generous financial support of St. Mary’s Armenian Church Costa Mesa, CA.
  • More than 4,500 articles of new and used clothing were distributed to over 1,200 refugees in the cities of Gyumri, Vanadzor and Berd. This effort was completed in collaboration with the leadership and parishioners of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston.
  • Distributed firewood monthly to more than 25 Artsakh refugee families in the Vardenis village of Meds Masrik for heating and cooking. This effort was made possible both through the support of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston and donors of The Paros Foundation.

RESETTLEMENT

We have identified permanent housing as perhaps the most critical need for the 101,000 refugees driven out of Artsakh. Permanent housing will be the largest expenditure Paros will be making. Our efforts to date include:

  • Conducting interviews with more than 100 families displaced from Artsakh. These interviews are ongoing both to determine these families’ needs as well as to determine their potential candidacy for our housing program.
  • Moving three families into new permanent homes. One of these homes is in the Vardenis village of Meds Masrik and the other two are in the Syunik community of Kajaran. The home in Meds Masrik was in need of furniture and appliances and thanks to the efforts of Mr. Eric Hacopian via his podcast, and a partnership with the Organization of Humanitarian Services for Armenia, both furniture and appliance funding was received.
  • Moving one family into the village of Aygepar into a fully renovated apartment. This apartment was originally damaged by shelling from Azerbaijan and was renovated following the 2020 attacks along with 14 other apartments in this same building. Furniture and appliances were provided for this apartment through our current fundraising efforts.
  • The purchase and current renovations of six homes for refugee families. This includes four homes in the Vardenis communities of Meds Masrik and Geghamasar, one home in the Berd community of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, and one home in the Kajaran community of Babikavan. Four of these homes will be ready to be occupied by early April. All of these homes are in need of appliances and furniture.
  • Plans to build 10 new homes for displaced families in the Kajaran community of Qeti. Our team spent two days there while I was visiting to finalize the location and to meet with the construction company. A plot of land was secured and a mutually beneficial partnership was created with the local community. Each home will have a 10,000 square foot lot to farm and construction on these homes will be ready by early summer.

Sincerely,
Peter Abajian
Executive Director

Paros Blog

Priority Deadline for SERVICE Armenia 2024 is March 15th!

June 23rd – July 14th, 2024

Priority deadline to apply is March 15th!

SERVE

Participants implement several projects, including helping renovate village school classrooms and distributing humanitarian and educational supplies in rural communities.

TOUR

Throughout the trip participants will visit historic and religious sites such as Lake Sevan, the Mother See of the Armenian Church at Etchmiadzin, Garni, Geghard, Khor Virab, Noravank, and more!

PLAY

Participants will be able to enjoy several meals at many excellent Yerevan restaurants during planned group dinners, and/or prepare meals for themselves during the trip. Accommodations in Yerevan will be secured in a rented home or apartments in a well-located, clean and secure area.

The Paros Foundation is committed to the principle of service and volunteerism. SERVICE Armenia helps develop the relationship between program participants and Armenia. These three week-long service trips are planned to include service projects, educational excursions and outings, and time for leisure and fun activities. The Paros Foundation staff responsible for this program have a tremendous amount of experience working in Armenia and successfully implementing and overseeing service projects and tours.

Participants aged 17-23 will serve, tour, and play in Armenia. Participant fees are $3,000 per person including a $400 charitable contribution, not including airfare.

If you have any questions about our SERVICE Armenia 2024 program please call Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 or contact him via email pabajian@gmail.com.

Paros Blog

Donate to Build a Secure, Stable, & Successful Armenia

As 2023 comes to an end, we look back on the deep challenges and positive developments Armenia experienced this past year. Throughout it all one thing has not changed, our dedication to making a positive difference throughout the country. Below are a few highlights of the impact we made this year, and we hope to keep building on the success of each of these projects as we take on 2024. We still have a long and difficult road ahead of us, but it is with your support that we can make that all possible. Learn about each of these projects and the positive impact they are making and consider joining us in continuing that positivity into 2024.

Peter Abajian
Executive Director

Difficult living conditions combined with dangerous conditions in villagers’ fields that are oftentimes adjacent to the border lead to very limited economic opportunities in these communities. These harsh realities lead to declining populations in border communities and ultimately less secure borders.

The Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border initiative focuses on addressing these problems in vital border communities to create vibrant villages and reverse the decline of residents.

Stability in one’s community, one’s home and one’s life is critical not only for our people’s survival but for our ability to prosper. Instability leads to people making rash decisions and leads to migration, insecurity, and our inability to develop our communities. The Paros Foundation’s investment in both urban and rural communities through both our housing and educational programs has created stability in the lives of many of our compatriots and thus within several communities throughout Armenia.

Successfully implemented projects do not just happen. It takes a well-designed program, properly funded and masterly implemented. The Paros Foundation’s 17 years of on-the-ground work in Armenia, its 100% promise to underwrite all of the administrative costs, combined with quality leadership and very capable staff has overseen the successful implementation of more than 330 projects throughout Armenia.

Paros Blog

Help Establish Preventative Care as a Norm

Help make a difference in
Armenia June 23rd – July 5th!

This summer’s Med-Aid ARMENIA 2024 medical trip will take place from June 23rd to July 5th in Armenia. Participants will work to provide essential healthcare delivery, develop programs in Armenia, and facilitate anyone pursuing interests in the healthcare field. Kaiser pediatrician, Dr. Krikor Deramerian will head the trip.

 

 

The trip will include rest, adventure and cultural immersion through visits and tours to several of Armenia’s historic sites.

 

 

All levels & backgrounds (physicians, pre-med students, to attending, nursing, and non-medical personnel) are welcome to apply!

 

 

Healthcare professionals and their accompanying families will experience visits to several of Armenia’s historic sites and tours. The trip will begin and end with time spent in Armenia’s vibrant capital, Yerevan.

Contact Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation, for more information or to reserve your participation.
Tel: (310) 400-9061 or Email: peter@parosfoundation.org

Paros Blog

SERVICE Armenia 2024 Application is Now Live!

June 23rd – July 14th, 2024

The Paros Foundation is committed to the principle of service and volunteerism. SERVICE Armenia helps develop the relationship between program participants and Armenia. These three week-long service trips are planned to include service projects, educational excursions and outings, and time for leisure and fun activities. The Paros Foundation staff responsible for this program have a tremendous amount of experience working in Armenia and successfully implementing and overseeing service projects and tours.

Participants aged 17-23 will serve, tour, and play in Armenia. Participant fees are $3,000 per person including a $400 charitable contribution, not including airfare.

 

 

“Although I had previously visited, this trip allowed me to return with the intention of giving back.”

-Nicole Timour

 

 

“There was not a day on the trip that didn’t go by with laughter and positive energy. And the days we worked the hardest, we had the most fun.”

-Renée Deramerian

If you have any questions about our SERVICE Armenia 2024 program please call Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 or contact him via email pabajian@gmail.com.

Paros Blog

Creating a Secure, Stable, & Successful Armenia

When one evaluates a charitable effort, one must consider the organization’s effectiveness among other important criteria. Is the organization making a difference? Are the efforts it’s making on target? Is it reaching its goals?

Paros coordinates with donors, state and local officials and our team of volunteers to develop the best strategy to improve community development, poverty reduction and humanitarian concerns. Our small, but efficient, staff work on the ground to determine the best allocation of resources to help meet our project goals.

The Paros Foundation’s unique model of project-specific philanthropy, 17 years of in-country experience, and its 100% Promise of all funds being directed to projects (not administrative expenses,) makes it the right choice as your charitable partner for your philanthropy in Armenia. Please join our efforts and donate today to help provide a SECURE, STABLE & SUCCESSFUL future for Armenia.

The Aygepar Business Incubator creates local jobs, offers new businesses quality, sanitary space to operate, and creates a sense of economies of scale working with other local start-ups. This all creates a more secure community and more secure border.

Learn more and consider contributing so we can continue building a secure and prosperous form of economy for this region here.

The Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri was launched in 2015 to help add stability in the lives of children and their families devastated by generational poverty. Since its launch, this program has been working to raise their standards of living through holistic programs aimed at changing these children’s lives for the better. High-quality after-school education including homework assistance, daily hot meals, counseling, vocational training, and medical and humanitarian assistance all add needed stability in the development of these children’s futures. Learn more here.

Since our High Tech Education project was launched last year more than 20 schools, colleges, and children’s centers have begun instruction on the proper use, flight, repair, and modification of quadcopter drones. This educational experience encompasses many aspects that broaden student’s perspectives on not only high-tech career possibilities but also the value of technology in many different careers including agriculture and construction. Learn more about the impact these programs are making here.

Paros Blog

Update on Artsakh Refugee Support Fund

Dear friends and supporters,

Our team has accomplished much in a relatively short time and I would like to provide everyone with another short update as to our activities and approach to help our fellow Armenians, who are now refugees in Armenia, that have been ethnically cleansed from Artsakh.

During my recent trip to Armenia, our team visited the communities of Kapan and Kajaran in the South, Gyumri, Berd, Vardenis and Meds Masrik (East and North East of Lake Sevan). In each of these communities, we visited with local leaders and refugee families to discuss both short-term and long-term needs. From these visits and meetings, we determined to work on both short-term humanitarian assistance and long-term, permanent housing, both with the support of partners and donors.

Many people have asked what they can do to help. Honestly, at this moment in our nation’s history, our major focus must be on resettling our Artsakh families as quickly as possible. If we fail in this mission, I would expect a mass exodus to other countries come spring. Please know that our team in Armenia has the capacity to expand our permanent housing effort for our Artsakh families as funds are raised. A permanent home for a family costs approximately $30,000. To date, thanks to your generous support, we have raised just over $400,000 for this effort. Thank you to all of you for your support.

As of today, we have completed the following:

1. Firewood for heating and cooking – We completed the distribution of one month’s supply of firewood for heating and cooking to 20 families from Artsakh in the Vardenis community of Meds Masrik. This effort will continue based on need throughout the winter and will be expanded if needed. The area received its first snow of the season yesterday.

2. Winter boots – Thanks to the generosity of Zadur Shoes (a local Made in Armenia company) who generously partnered with Paros to distribute 500 pairs of high-quality winter boots, we have been able to already distribute 200+ pairs and the distribution will be continuing. In addition, thanks to generous support from St. Mary’s Armenian Church Parishioners, winter boots for children have also been ordered and up to 500 additional children will receive winter boots in the coming weeks.

3. Clothing – Clothing distributions are continuing and additional shipments of new clothing from the US have been shipped to Armenia.

4. Permanent Housing – After our assessment of several communities and visits to several vacant homes, our team has begun the purchase process for the first seven homes (three homes in Geghamasar, three homes in Kajaran and one in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.) Work on renovating these homes will begin as soon as we take possession of these homes. The first two home purchases in Geghamasar are completed and the renovation of them will begin next week. In addition, our team is actively pursuing the identification and purchase of five additional homes within these same communities with the funds we have secured to date.

It is important to note that thanks to the generous partnership of our long-term partner organization and friend, Development Services for Armenia (DSA) also known as the Organization of Humanitarian Services for Armenia, these homes will be equipped with basic appliances as needed. We sincerely appreciate DSA’s friendship and support!

Thank You,
Peter Abajian
Executive Director