Berkeley, CA—Trust and a strong partnership can help accomplish many positive things.  This was demonstrated when World Vision, Focus on Children Now, The Noyemberyan Municipality and The Paros Foundation joined forces to address a shortage of kindergarten space at the Noyemberyan Kindergarten #2.  Noyemberyan is a border city located in the northern portion of Armenia’s Tavush Region.  The results of this partnership included the complete reconstruction of a third building on campus, which will now accommodate more than 50 additional children in two newly expanded groups.

The Paros Foundation was approached last year by the Noyemberyan Municipality with a request to help fund the reconstruction of the third building at Kindergarten #2.  World Vision had already committed to provide support for the construction materials. Focus on Children Now had agreed to provide needed furniture for the children.  What was needed was funding for labor for the construction work.  The Paros Foundation agreed to accept the responsibility of overseeing and implementing the building’s reconstruction.  The Noyemberyan Municipality provided funding and support for demolition, sewer connections and one half of the heating system related expenses.

“The project we implemented at the Noyemberyan Kindergarten #2 is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when organizations partner to support a single cause,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “Each partner organization brought to this project what they do best and together, along with our individual donors, we have made a tremendous positive impact for the children and community in Noyemberyan.”

The Paros Foundation was launched in 2006 and has implemented more than $7.7 million worth of projects in Armenia through its unique model of philanthropy and community partnership. These projects are located throughout the country-with the majority of work focused in Gyumri and in the Tavush Region, along the border with Azerbaijan. Thanks to the generous support of Paros Founder and Chairman, Roger Strauch and the Strauch Kulhanjian Family, all administrative expenses are underwritten, allowing 100% of donor contributions to be allocated in their entirety to the projects. To support the work of The Paros Foundation, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

Med-Aid ARMENIA – Helping Establish Preventative Care as a Norm

Berkeley, California – This year The Paros Foundation is hosting its third medical mission in Armenia. Med-Aid ARMENIA 2020 will be headed by Kaiser pediatrician, Dr. Krikor Deramerian, whose vision to launch free preventative care for impoverished children in Armenia became a reality. To date, medical professionals and volunteers have examined over 300 children in Gyumri, screening for general health, vision, hearing including providing information on overall wellness. Once issues are identified, The Paros Foundation works with the children and their families to help them address their medical needs

“We found several children with minor health issues during our mission last summer. This early diagnosis will help prevent these minor problems from becoming more serious ones in the future,” said Houry Abajian, Pharm. D.

This summer’s Med Aid ARMENIA 2020 medical mission will take place from June 25 to July 4 in Armenia. This summer, the team will conduct wellness screenings for several hundred children in the city of Gyumri and the village of Jil, who do not have regular access to healthcare. The program will need staff of all expertise and abilities.

As part of the mission, health care 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

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur –With the completion of the reconstruction at the secondary school in the large border village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, in Armenia’s Tavush Region, students are experiencing a vibrant newly energized approach to their education. The nearly $250,000 capital project was funded by Jean-Marie and Lori Atamian and their friends, Michael and Patricia Starzer, through The Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border initiative and was completed in phases over four years. The campus consists of three large two-story buildings and has been reconfigured to accommodate more than 150 students in this growing village.

One of the most modern rural educational facilities in Armenia, the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur school now boasts bright classrooms and hallways, fully equipped science labs, a robotics room, an auditorium, a dance studio, library, exercise rooms and a state of the art kitchen and cafeteria. The gym has also been renovated and the children are provided with gym clothes at the start of every academic year, which proudly displays the school’s logo.

This ambitious project is part of a comprehensive initiative undertaken by the Atamian Family to rebuild the infrastructure of this important village and previously saw the complete reconstruction of the kindergarten, medical clinic, emergency services building and water supply system. The Atamians are continuing to fund the reconstruction of homes for large families and various agricultural projects to allow residents to improve their living conditions. The economic potential of this village recently prompted the government to build a modern, asphalted three-mile road connecting this previously isolated village to the main road and to finance an auxiliary water pipeline.

“The annual and long term financial support provided by the Atamians is helping transform Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur into a thriving and growing community,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “This village is serving as a model for our Prosperity on the Border Initiative and is inspiring other diasporan families to support the development of several other border villages, including: Paravakar, Chinari, Baghanis, Varagavan and Artsvabert.”

Since 2013, The Paros Foundation’s SERVICE Armenia program has taken young people ages 17 to 22 to Armenia for a month-long service and tour program. This year’s program will run from June 23 until July 24, 2020.

“Each year SERVICE Armenia connects young people from throughout the United States to one another and to the homeland in a meaningful and lasting way.” Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “What these young people experience during this summer often times shapes their future plans and ambitions.”

In 2019, the SERVICE Armenia group worked on renovation projects at the Talin Music School in the town of Talin, the school in the village of Zorakan, the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri and at the Nor Hachn Museum in the village of Nor Hachn. In addition to these projects, the group implemented orphan excursions for children from the Yerevan Children’s Home and the Kharpert Home for Special Children. Dustin Hochmuth, a two-time past participant who launched “Groceries for Gyumri,” led it again for the second summer. SERVICE Armenia participants assembled food packets and distributed them to 50 impoverished families.

Applications are now available on The Paros Foundation’s website for SERVICE Armenia 2020 at parosfoundation.org. The program includes tours to historic, religious and cultural sites in Armenia and Artsakh, English speaking staff and guides, safe and well-located accommodations and transportation combined with interesting cultural and educational activities that will ensure all will have an engaging and memorable experience. Participants need not be of Armenian descent; the program is open to everyone. Knowledge of the Armenian language is not required. Join us and create a lifetime of great memories & friends.

The deadline to submit the completed application is April 1, 2020. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Contact Peter Abajian at (310) 400-9061 for more information.

 

“It was an eye-opening experience walking into the domiks and seeing how people were living even 30 years after the massive earthquake. This alone has taught me to be more appreciative and grateful for the things I have, and it really has changed me for the better.”

David Bogossian
SERVICE Armenia Participant 2019

My name is Seda Melkoni and I am on a quest to help make improvements to School #8 in the City of Abovyan. More than 530 children attend this school. The entire school needs to be renovated and I have decided to partner with The Paros Foundation on this project. Here is my story…

In 2014, I traveled to Armenia for the first time to work on an American television mini-series production that would be filming in various parts of Armenia. One of the production days took place at the historic Garni Temple during the very early morning hours before the gates had opened to the public. When we wrapped production and the public was allowed entrance, I noticed several small school field trip groups arriving and one group, in particular, came all the way to the gates and after some conversation I noticed them preparing to leave, only to find out that they were not aware that there was now an entrance fee to the site and since none of the students or teachers could afford to pay, they had to leave. I offered to pay for the class, they graciously accepted and the students were able to have their field trip. The teachers requested a photo with me and the class to put up at their school in appreciation of what I thought was a very, very small gesture for such gratitude.

I kept a copy of that photo and that experience stayed with me for several years as I constantly thought about what I could do to actually make an impact for schools, particularly on the grade school level, in the areas of need outside the capital city of Yerevan.

By 2017, I had my second daughter and was further motivated to create a way for them to be inspired and connected to their Armenian culture as well as understand the value of helping others. This was also the time I joined the production planning team at Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, where I met Tatevik Torossian. As we began to work together, I shared my experience in Armenia and learned that for years, Tatevik had been sending donations of school supplies to her childhood friend who was now a teacher at a school in great need of help in the city of Abovyan. Tatevik had also attended that same school as a child. This became the foundation of the project I had been thinking about for years. My husband and I established the ELSO Foundation, named after our daughters Elena & Sofia and began the process in seeking partners for our projects, beginning with me asking Tatevik to provide the introduction to her friend the teacher.

In the fall of 2018, I met with the staff of The Paros Foundation to discuss the Abovyan School project. Their team visited the school, assessed the leaking roofs, broken windows, struggling furnace and agreed to tackle this project. Paros listed the project on their website and we began raising the necessary funds to renovate the roofs over six of the school’s buildings. By spring of this year, we had enough funds raised to change the roof on one of the buildings. The Paros team efficiently and effectively replaced the entire roof of this first building. Moving forward, I plan to continue my appeal to my family and friends to help with the other five roofs needing repair. The students and staff are anxiously awaiting the repairs to solve the school’s many leaks. I feel fortunate that I connected that morning with students at Garni and through this effort, I hope to connect others to students and the staff at School #8 in Abovyan.

Abovyan School #8

The town of Abovyan in Armenia’s Kotayk region is often referred to as the northern gateway to Yerevan because of its proximity to city (about 10 miles north.) Abovyan is home to more than 34,500 residents. More than 530 children attend School #8 in Abovyan. The school is in overall poor condition. School administrators do what they can to maintain the facility, but outside assistance is needed to dramatically improve conditions throughout this school. The roofs over the six buildings that are currently being used at the Abovyan School #8 are leaking and beyond repair. These roofs and much of the support structure beneath must be changed to help create a safe and comfortable environment for the children while they are at school. Learn more and get involved here.

Bloomfield Hills, MI—Thanks to a generous second donation to underwrite the vocational training programs at the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri from the Dr. Gary and Linda Assarian Family Foundation, Debi Arach is proud to announce the naming of this program as the Assarian Vocational Training Program.

“My wife Linda and I visited Armenia and Debi Arach and gained an understanding of the economic challenges facing people in Gyumri,” said Dr. Gary Assarian. “Our goal is to help people learn a skill and successfully gain employment. We are excited to support Paros in these innovative programs and their future plans.”

Launched in 2017 with generous support from the Assarian family, vocational training is an integral component of the Debi Arach Children’s Center, helping future generations in Gyumri work themselves out of poverty. The program launched with a high-tech focus teaching web-design and web programming to young adults. Following classroom instruction in several course subjects, students graduated into internships to obtain real world experience. More than half of the graduates are now gainfully employed and utilizing their new skills in the workplace. These classes have continued with more than 40 students to date. In August of 2019, a second focused vocational option was added to include instruction for cosmetologists, hair stylists, make up artists and manicurists. This was aimed to help young women find employment in the region and provide a much needed service to their community. An additional 24 students are enrolled in these courses.

“Since we launched the Debi Arach Children’s Center in April of 2015, the more than 200 children and young adults participating at the Center on a weekly basis are thriving,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “We are making a significant difference in the lives of these families and expanding our vocational training efforts is a natural step forward. It is a pleasure to work with the Assarian family and we have significant plans for expanding the Assarian Vocational Training Program at Debi Arach in the near future.

The Center operates six days per week and students attend the afterschool programs in two groups each three times per week. Programs are designed to take a holistic approach to addressing a poverty stricken child’s needs and help them overcome the obstacles to future success, including their humanitarian, physical and psychological needs, academic support and career planning. Debi Arach has notable successes to date beyond the vocational training programs, including reuniting children with their parents (who were leaving the children at orphanages or boarding schools), strong academic achievements, better overall health and successful career planning and job placement.

To support the Debi Arach Children’s Center or another project of The Paros Foundation, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

Los Angeles, CA—Since the beginning of the year, Jack Youredjian and the Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation has offered major support to The Paros Foundation allocated to the move of seven families from their domiks to modern apartments in Gyumri, Armenia. Most of these people have spent their entire lives in domiks-first as children following the earthquake, and later as adults with no other economic opportunities.

“My mother, Marguerite Youredjian, spent years following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake in Gyumri helping hundreds of families who lost their homes and family members,” said Philanthropist Jack Youredjian, “my heart breaks when I see children living in these horrible conditions, and I want to do my part to try and help.”

The Paros Foundation’s Purchase a Home project has moved a total of 20 families to date, from inadequate wagons, containers and temporary shelters into clean, modern and safe apartments in Gyumri. Whenever possible, families are also given needed appliances, furniture and additional humanitarian support. Many of the families’ children also attend, or are invited to attend, the after school programs at the Debi Arach Children’s Center, which was launched by and is supported through The Paros Foundation.

“The housing crisis continues to effect more than 2,000 families in Gyumri. I commend Jack Youredjian and his family for their commitment to help children living in terrible conditions,” said Peter Abajian, Paros Foundation Executive Director. “Our program goals in Gyumri are two-fold, to help move as many families from domiks into apartments as possible; and secondly to work diligently through our programs at Debi Arach to empower many of these children to break their families’ cycle of poverty through academic success, career planning and vocational training.”

The Paros Foundation was launched in 2006 and has implemented more than $6.6 million worth of projects in Armenia through its unique model of philanthropy and community partnership. These projects are located throughout the country-with the majority of work focused in Gyumri and in the Tavush Region, along the border with Azerbaijan. Thanks to the generous support of Paros Founder and Chairman, Roger Strauch, all administrative expenses are underwritten, allowing 100% of donor contributions to be allocated in their entirety to the projects. To support this and other projects of The Paros Foundation, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

New York, NY–Jean-Marie & Lori Atamian recently announced their sixth major gift of $100,000 to The Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border Initiative.  This contribution will be used to rebuild a large two-story school building in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur (population 1,380) (“NKA”).  NKA was the most heavily shelled village on the Tavush border during the war for the liberation of Artsakh.  This third and final wing of the secondary school will house a new science classroom and laboratory, an exercise and dance studio, a home economics classroom, a wood and metal shop, a library, additional offices and classrooms and new bathrooms.

“The Atamian’s leadership on our Prosperity on the Border Initiative has helped us make more than $1 million worth of needed infrastructure economic development programs in these vital border communities,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of the Paros Foundation.

This investment is the latest infrastructure project underwritten by the Atamians in NKA.  Specifically, since 2013, the Atamians have financed the reconstruction of the village’s medical center, kindergarten, secondary school (3 large two-story buildings), emergency services building and water pipeline.  The Atamians have also awarded over 20 individual family agricultural and home renovation grants to improve the standard of living of numerous households.  The impressive economic progress of NKA has prompted the Atamians to make additional long-term commitments to ensure the village’s continued growth and prosperity for future generations.

Based on the success of this model village, and the generous support of our expanding base of donors, The Paros Foundation is replicating this strategic approach to rural development by undertaking these types of life changing projects in eight additional villages along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in Armenia’s Tavush Region.

Construction at the school in NKA was launched last week with the goal of completing work on one of the two stories prior to the start of the new school year in September.

Paros Foundation launched its Prosperity on the Border initiative in 2015.  It is currently working in 11 villages throughout the Tavush region, but primarily in communities along the Armenia-Azeri border.  Thanks to the generous support of Paros Founder and Chairman, Roger Strauch, underwrites all administrative expenses, allowing100% of donor contributions are allocated in their entirety to the projects. To support this and other projects of The Paros Foundation, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

New York, NY—Friends, family and supporters of The Paros Foundation gathered at the lovely home of Greg and Kelley Badishkanian on June 6 to rally support for the reconstruction of the kindergarten building in the border village of Varagavan in Tavush, Armenia.

“My wife, two boys and I have been to Tavush twice and are scheduled to visit again this summer,” said Greg Badishkanian, who along with his wife Kelley, hosted the event.  “We believe that prosperity in these communities helps contribute to security and are so thankful to everyone that is here supporting us and this effort tonight.”

Guests gathered on the Badishkanian’s spectacular rooftop balcony to enjoy delicious food and drink, while learning more about the work to be done in Varagavan.  To kick off this successful initiative, both the Badishkanians and Jean-Marie & Lori Atamian, pledged matching gifts, which allowed every dollar collected to be matched dollar for dollar.

“I strongly believe that it is imperative to improve conditions in communities along the Armenia – Azerbaijan border, which is why investingin Tavush through The Paros Foundation has been a top priority for my family and I.  Improving infrastructure and economic development significantly contributes to greater security for our people,” said Jean-Marie Atamian.

Varagavan is currently home to more than 700 people.  Located in an isolated area near the Armenia – Azerbaijan border in Armenia’s North East Tavush region, Varagavan’s young population is growing.  More than 50 children will be able to attend the newly renovated kindergarten once the work is completed.  The scope of work to be completed on the building is extensive. A new roof and completely new heating, plumbing and electrical systems will be installed.  This will complement a complete interior renovation of the building’s two floors.  Finally, landscaping and an outdoor patio will create an inviting space for both teachers and students alike.  As part of this project, a large multipurpose room will be created that will see usage from both the kindergarten as well as the residents of the village.  This room will facilitate meetings, gatherings, concerts and other cultural events.

The Paros Foundation has already launched reconstruction on the building beginning with the roof replacement.  Construction will continue throughout the summer and will be completed by the end of the year.  During construction, the current half-day program will continue to operate to benefit the children.

The Paros Foundation launched its Prosperity on the Border initiative in 2015.  It is currently working in 11 villages throughout the Tavush region, but primarily in communities along the Armenia-Azeri border. Thanks to the generous support of Paros Founder and Chairman, Roger Strauch, underwrites all administrative expenses, allowing100% of donor contributions are allocated in their entirety to the projects. To support this and other projects of The Paros Foundation, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

SERVICE Armenia 2019 is filling up quickly! Only eight spaces remain in this tour, serve and play program aimed at young people 17 to 22 years of age and applications are available on The Paros Foundation website (www.parosfoundation.org). This year’s program will feature work sites in and around Yerevan, Gyumri and Zorakan.  Service work will include classroom renovations, work with orphanages and children centers, and the distribution of humanitarian supplies including the Groceries for Gyumri project (see article below). Tours will be led to major sites throughout Armenia and Artsakh and the group will live and be based from Yerevan. For more information and to reserve your space, contact Peter Abajian via email peter@parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.

   

GROCERIES FOR GYUMRI

The story of one participant’s effort to make a difference

 My name is Dustin Hochmuth and I launched Groceries for Gyumri as a project to raise money to assemble and distribute one hundred food packs to poor families in Gyumri, Armenia. I came up with the idea when, in 2017 as part of The Paros Foundation’s SERVICE Armenia 2017 program, Peter Abajian and Narine Panosian took me and a few other participants to see the living conditions of some of the residents of Gyumri. The apartment complex we were shown was in total deplorable condition and was literally falling apart, and the worst part was that ten families still live there. Later on that night at dinner, I asked Peter, “Is there anything more we can do to help these people?” SERVICE Armenia coordinator, Stephanie Nersesyan, was planning on implementing a project, so together we ended up delivering ten packs of non perishable items such as soap, pasta, and toilet paper to several families in the city. During the distribution, I met and spoke to the people living in these terrible conditions and got the opportunity to hear the families’ stories. After going on this excursion, it inspired me to come back to Armenia in 2018 and do a food drive project of my own on a larger scale.

Groceries for Gyumri was a joint idea with my mother Jeanne Papazian, who came up with the idea for the concept and the logo. After sending many emails to friends and family, we were able to raise $3,000, which was enough to fund 100 food packs. As summer rolled around, I joined the other participants for the SERVICE Armenia 2018 trip. The group went to buy all of the goods for the hundred packs from a local supermarket in person and then put them all together at the group’s house in Yerevan. Then, the group finally headed to Gyumri to do the distribution. It was a very long day consisting of delivering the packs and meeting the families and hearing each story, which felt more tragic than the last. However, also with each family the group could truly see the impact they were having on these people by the looks on their faces and their gratitude just to get some simple supplies like cooking oil, beans or bread. I am confident that this reaction from the beneficiaries registered on a very deep level with members of our group, as it demonstrated just how fortunate we are in the U.S., but also reminded us that since we are so fortunate, it is important to help out others in need and that we cannot forget that these people are our brothers and sisters.

Dustin Hochmuth will be starting the University of Southern California in the fall.  He has visited and worked in Armenia for the last two years, and will be returning this summer as well to lead his Groceries for Gyumri project once again. His collective efforts have help clothe and feed hundreds of families living in Gyumri’s domik communities.  To support Dustin’s Groceries for Gyumri project please visit www.parosfoundation.org