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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

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Berkeley CA 94710

info@parosfoundation.org

(310) 400 9061

Purchase a Home 20 - Sahakyan Family

Description

Following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, tens of thousands of people were left homeless in the City of Gyumri. Many of these families took refuge in the overseas shipping containers (domiks) that were shipped into Armenia loaded with humanitarian relief supplies, or in condemned buildings. An entire generation of children has grown up in deplorable conditions, often times with no running water and little or no heat. The Armenian government has provided most of the families that lost their homes in the Earthquake with new housing units.

As people moved out of those makeshift housing units, others moved in. The 2,500 or so families that remain are Gyumri’s desolate families, who are not in line to receive a government provided apartment. Many of these families are comprised of single mothers, multiple children and/or the disabled.

This project will identify suitable needy families who can be moved into a new apartment and can demonstrate that they can afford their monthly utilities, etc. This is a sustainable model in that families that have been moved into permanent housing in the past have had a high degree of success maintaining their families and their new homes.

The Sahakyan family lives in an isolated domik located about 12 feet from the railroad tracks.  Karen, his wife Anna and their two daughters have lived in this domik their entire married lives. Anna does not let her girls play outside for fear that they will get too close to the railroad tracks and get hit by a passing train.  Karen works at the Gyumri Central Market to support his family.

Once the move is complete, the make shift housing unit will be destroyed to prevent its future occupancy.

Region

Shirak Õ‡Õ«Ö€Õ¡Õ¯

City / Village

Gyumri Ô³ÕµÕ¸Ö‚Õ´Ö€Õ«

Start Date

May 2019

End Date

July 2019

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

The Need
2,500 families live in the city of Gyumri in temporary, make shift housing. These units are neither safe nor sanitary. These families and their children need a normal apartment in which to live.
Short Term Impact
Immediately a family will be identified and an appropriate apartment purchased for them. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be destroyed.
Long Term Impact
In addition to this family and their improved mental state changing through the fact that they will be living in a normal housing situation, the city of Gyumri itself will improve with the removal of these make shift housing units.
Sponsors Benefits
All sponsors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation website.
Anonymous User
YF

Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation

Los Angeles, CA May 16, 2019

Updates: Images & Information

Video Update

May 30, 2020

The Paros team along with our friend and partner, Vahan Tumasyan from the Shirak Center NGO visited the Sahakyan Family to share great news about them being chosen to receive a new home!

 
August 27, 2019

The Sahakyan Family was at the notary office today to sign their apartment's purchase contract! They are now officially homeowners!

 
September 11, 2019

Karen Sahakyan worked alongside our team to find a new home. The home is in need of some renovations, and since Karen has done construction work in the past, he has agreed to help remodel the house. Renovation work has begun.

 
September 18, 2019

The Sahakyan Family moved into their new apartment today. We are so happy for their new beginning. With the help of the Shirak Center NGO crew, their old"domik" will be destroyed.