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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

Purchase a Home 5 - Elbakyan 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.

Anna Elbakyan and her son, Armen have lived in domik for more than 20 years.  The Paros Foundation staff first met Anna this summer while distributing food packs with The Shirak Center to needy families.  Armen attends the Debi Arach Children’s Center and benefits from their programs.  Anna plays piano and has worked as a piano teacher.  She dreams of the day she might own a piano of her own.  Anna’s husband left for Russia to work while she was pregnant with Armen and never returned.  This small but terrific family would greatly benefit from a new apartment.

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

Watch Video

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

December 2017

End Date

February 2018

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
A family will be identified and an appropriate apartment will be purchased for them as soon as possible. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be destroyed.
Long Term Impact
The city of Gyumri will recover parcels of land currently occupied by these make-shift housing units. In addition, the family’s mental state will improve as a direct result their new and normal home.
Sponsors Benefits
All sponsors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation website.
Anonymous User
MH

Ms. Gohar Harutyunyan

NJ, United States October 27, 2017
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RH

Anonymous

Manhattan Beach, CA August 7, 2017
Anonymous User
MI

Ms. Susan Ishkanian

Beechhurst, NY January 1, 2016
Anonymous User
MI

Ms. Amy Ishkanian

Wyckoff, NJ January 1, 2016
Anonymous User
MI

Mr. & Mrs. Jim & Natalie Ishkanian

CA, United States January 1, 2016
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MI

Ms. Jenna Ishkanian

NJ, United States January 1, 2016
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Updates: Images & Information

December 24, 2018

Anna and Armen moved today and will celebrate New Year's in their new apartment! Our friends at the Shirak Center promptly arranged for the removal and demolition of the Elbakyan's old domik.