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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

Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center

Description

The 1988 Spitak Earthquake caused the death of more than 35,000 people and left more than 100,000 people homeless.  Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, was most affected by the earthquake.  In the years that followed, Armenia’s Independence, the Artsakh War and corrupt regional and local officials all contributed to a massive housing shortage, the inability to emerge from this housing shortage, and generational poverty in Gyumri.  Today, almost 2,000 domiks are still “home” to people in Gyumri.  While the development in Gyumri has considerably advanced in recent years, this housing shortage continues to exist. 

 

To date, The Paros Foundation has purchased 26 homes for domik families, and demolished 26 domiks, ensuring no one will ever live in one again.  In early 2022, the new Mayor of Gyumri proposed to The Paros Foundation that the city provides The Foundation with one of Gyumri’s many half-constructed buildings, with the purpose of Paros completing the building’s construction and housing domik families.  The building that was selected and given to Paros is suitable for 16 residential apartments and has an additional 6,000 square feet that Paros will use to open a second branch of its Debi Arach Children’s Center, additional vocational training programs and/or a second social enterprise. 

 

The Paros Foundation has the experience and track record to successfully implement this project.  Its benefits will be multi-fold including:

 

  1. 16 domik families will receive a new home.
  2. 16 domiks will be demolished and land returned to the city.
  3. One unfinished building will be completed, eliminating another eye sore for the city.
  4. During the construction phase, more than $500,000 will be invested in Gyumri’s economy through material purchases and labor.
  5. Once completed, Debi Arach will create an additional 8 to 10 full time employment positions.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

8 months after start
Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center
$330,796 of $750,000 raised
$
Personal Info

Dedicate this Donation

Honoree Details

Donation Total: $250 One Time

The Need

More than 2,000 people remain homeless in Gyumri living in “domiks”.  This project will help create permanent housing for 16 families and eliminate 16 domiks.  

Short Term Impact

The construction of 16 apartments and a second branch office of Debi Arach Children’s Center will create approximately 20 construction jobs for almost one year.  There will be a local bump in the economy as labor and materials will be purchased locally whenever possible.

Long Term Impact

16 families will receive new apartments.  16 domiks will be demolished and the land returned to the city for public use.  100 children will receive the benefits proven through the programing at Debi Arach and 8 to 10 full time employment positions will be created at the new location.  

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website and in all press related to this project. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

Anonymous User
MT

Mr. Edward Tomassian

Glendale, CA
February 16, 2024
Anonymous User
MB

Mr. & Mrs. Dikran & Lynn Barsamian

Allendale, NJ
December 27, 2023
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Christine Atesian

Bloomfield Hills, MI December 27, 2023
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. & Mrs. Howard & Catherine Atesian

Bloomfield Hills, MI December 27, 2023
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. Darren Atesian

Beverly Hills, MI December 25, 2023
Anonymous User
MK

Mr. & Mrs. Armen & Elizabeth Keshishian

Porter Ranch, CA December 23, 2023
Anonymous User
MM

Mr. Hovhannes Marukyan

Granada Hills, CA
December 21, 2023
Anonymous User
DF

Dadourian Foundation

New York, NY December 21, 2023
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Updates: Images & Information

September 15, 2022

Thank you to the Assarian and Atesian families for sponsoring a successful event that raised more than $75,000 in support for this important project.

 

August 22, 2023

We have hired both our project architect and seismic engineering firm for our building.  They will help us design and develop plans for the addition of a fourth floor on the building that will house four to eight additional families in new apartments.