No products in the cart.

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

Tag: Completed

IMG-75df1b5d9e3f27f220bae09e840e964b-V-e1554230743325

Kanakeravan Art School Classroom Renovation

Kanakeravan Art School Classroom Renovation

Description

The Kanakeravan Fine Arts School is located in the village of Kanakeravan about 30 minutes outside of Yerevan and serves both this village and a neighboring village. The School provides afterschool program in several of the fine arts including music, dance, pottery, painting and needle work to more than 125 children annually. The School has a committed staff and principal that ensure that their personal passion for the arts is upheld and taught to these children.

The Paros Foundation has provided the school in past years with two new pianos and renovated the schools restroom and multipurpose room. The school is still in need of renovations to several of the classrooms and hallways including new flooring, doors, windows, paint and lighting. The local government provides the Art School support for their administrative expenses, while the students pay a modest monthly fee. Unfortunately, the support and fees are not enough to allow the school to complete the renovations on their own. Sponsorship of this project will help renovate a total of nine classroom/practice rooms and two administrative office.

Region

Kotayk

City / Village

Kanakeravan

Start Date

June 2018

End Date

August 2018
Kanakeravan Art School Classroom Renovation

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

The Need
Armenia’s villages and its children suffer from lack of facilities for children. The promotion of a child’s education and preservation of our rich culture depend on quality educational institutions. The Kanakeravan Fine Arts School can meet these needs with a modest amount of support.
Short Term Impact
125 children will have a newly renovated classrooms and practice rooms to attend. The renovation will employ a contractor and support the local economy through the purchase of necessary building materials.
Long Term Impact
Armenia’s rich heritage and culture will continue to be promoted through the support of this art school. In addition, life in the village of Kanakeravan will be more interesting and fulfilling by having a quality art school for children to study at and as a place for villagers to work.
Sponsors Benefits
Your donation to support the Kanakeravan Art School will be recognized with a plaque at the school, your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit and tour the school when you are in Armenia.
Anonymous User
DD

Danny Donabedian

Watertown, MA
SERVICE Armenia June 9, 2018
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. & Mrs. Karo & Nadima Avakian

Chatsworth, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss June 3, 2018
Anonymous User
MT

Ms. Rita Takvorian

Foster City, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss April 30, 2018
Anonymous User
MG

Mr. Edward Godoshian

Danville, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss April 25, 2018
Anonymous User
MT

Mr. & Mrs. Zaven & Nina Tashjian

San Jose, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss April 22, 2018
Anonymous User
MK

Mr. Vicken Ekmekjian & Mrs. Nanor Kaplanian

San Francisco, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss April 22, 2018
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. Smith K. Alexander III & Mrs. Suzy T. Alexander

Redwood City, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss April 22, 2018
Anonymous User
MP

Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Gareneh Panossian

Mountain View, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss April 22, 2018
Anonymous User
MN

Mr. & Mrs. Roupen & Siran Nahabedian

Redwood City, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss April 22, 2018
Anonymous User
MV

Mr. & Mrs. Richard & Houry Viola

San Mateo, CA
In Memory Of Robert Sarkiss April 22, 2018
View More Sponsors

Updates: Images & Information

June 28, 2018

The SERVICE Armenia 2018 program participants spent three days working in the village on the subfloor at the Art School.

 
August 15, 2018

Students will begin the 2018/19 school year with new classrooms on the first floor! We hope to be able to continue the renovation of this school with the classrooms on the second floor next year.

IMG_5122-e1554234964147

Paruyr Sevak KG & PreK

Kindergarten & Preschool for Paruyr Sevak Village

Description

The village of Paruyr Sevak was founded in 1978 and named after the famous poet Paruyr Sevak.  The village is located in the Ararat Region and is near the border of Nakhchivan and occasionally receives cross border sniper fire.  Almost 600 people live in the village of Paruyr Sevak.  Currently 16 children attend the preschool.  The village does not have a working kindergarten, nor an appropriate public gathering space for events and activities.  There is no gas infrastructure in the area, so families burn wood or use electricity to heat their homes and public buildings.  Improvements were recently made to the drinking water infrastructure for homes in Paruyr Sevak.  Irrigation water continues to be a problem for the village and dramatically effects their ability to farm.

The goal of this project is to rebuild several wings of the building that currently houses the preschool.  This will facilitate three major things for the village.  First, it will allow for the expansion for the preschool to accommodate additional children who are not attending due to the current poor conditions.  Second, it will allow the village of Paruyr Sevak to establish a kindergarten for the village.  Currently the village has 33 children awaiting the establishment of a kindergarten.  This will help these children receive the benefits of early education.  Finally, the renovation of a large assembly hall will allow the village to have an appropriate space to gather for various meetings and community activities.

This project will be implemented in phases as funding becomes available.  The first phase will include the renovation of the second story preschool space and will cost $18,500.  The second phase will include the renovation of the first story kindergarten space and the adjacent kitchen and will cost $28,500.  The third and final phase will include the renovation of the main entryway, the community assembly hall and the building’s entry courtyard and will cost $22,000.

Region

Ararat

City / Village

Paruyr Sevak

Start Date

May 2019

End Date

Paruyr Sevak KG & PreK

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

The Need
The village of Paruyr Sevak has a small working preschool that needs renovation in order to better serve the community. In addition, children currently do not have a kindergarten to attend. The community as a whole does not have an appropriate assembly hall to meet for various events and activities.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, all of the preschool and kindergarten aged children will benefit from the newly renovated facilities. Additional jobs will be created at both the preschool and kindergarten, and during the reconstruction phase of the building. Materials will be purchased locally whenever possible, to help the local economy.
Long Term Impact
In the longer term, children in the village will benefit from early education and the villagers will have an appropriate space for community gatherings and events.
Sponsors Benefits
All sponsors of this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque at the building’s entrance in Paruyr Sevak, and in any press related to this important project. Visits to the village can be arranged for sponsors and their families during visits to Armenia.
Anonymous User
MH

Mr. & Mrs. John & Beth Hamparian

Inverness, IL December 28, 2021
Anonymous User
SP

Susan & Stepan Piligian

Westford, MA
In Honor Of Stepan Piligian's Birthday December 28, 2021
Anonymous User
MH

Mr. & Mrs. John & Beth Hamparian

Inverness, IL November 24, 2021
Anonymous User
PF

Piligian Family

Westford, MA November 24, 2021
Anonymous User
MD

Ms. Renée Deramerian

Sierra Madre, CA
June 20, 2021
Anonymous User
MM

Ms. Tiffany Matevosyan

Glendale, CA June 18, 2021
Anonymous User
MA

Ms. Sareen Armenian

La Canada, CA June 16, 2021
Anonymous User
MH

Mr. & Mrs. John & Beth Hamparian

Inverness, IL June 10, 2021
Anonymous User
MS

Ms. Sanah Syed, Ms. Sarosh Syed

Fullerton, CA June 10, 2021
Anonymous User
MB

Ms. Audrey Bogosian

Rolling Hills, CA May 24, 2021
Anonymous User
MT

Mr. Aram Tashjian

Newton, MA May 18, 2021
Anonymous User
MK

Ms. Ava Kuredjian

Simi Valley, CA May 14, 2021
View More Sponsors
May 19, 2019

Work began today on the second floor classroom spaces that will house the new pre-school.

 
July 16, 2019

Work is completed on the second floor classroom space. Now the crew is beginning the phase two work which includes the new main entrance, staircase, hallway and kitchen.

 
September 5, 2019

Today the Piligian and Hamparian families who are the primary sponsors of this project, visited the village of Paruyr Sevak and sponsored a gala celebration for the work that has been completed to date!

 
January 13, 2020

With work on phase two nearing completion, our work crew has begun the renovation of the first floor kindergarten space.

 
February 29, 2020

After a considerable amount of research, our Paros staff concluded the most effective heating system for this large building is an electricity fired boiler and radiators to heat all newly renovated spaces. Our heating specialist was able to tie in the existing partial solar heating system for additional benefit.

 
March 7, 2020

The work on the first floor kindergarten classroom spaces is also complete and the crew is now working on the second floor auditorium.

 
April 9, 2020

Today our crew finished the interior work. The children will return to both the kindergarten and the newly opened pre-school as soon as the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. We will continue to work with the project sponsors to tackle the work on the grounds next.

July 9, 2021

Today our SERVICE Armenia participants spent the day at P. Sevak helping paint some of the verandas in the playground space.  Thanks to participant's donations, these structures were rebuilt and will offer both students, staff and families shelter from the heat!  

August 27, 2021

Thanks to the generous continued support from the Piligian and Hamparian families, the village's medical center, which is located next to the kindergarten's kitchen, is being renovated!  Work began today and should be completed within a few weeks.  

July 29, 2024

The Paros team visited the Payrur Sevak Kindergarten and Pre-School to spend time with the children. 

35476812_808976815972931_1024711198903369728_o-e1548117777558

Ghoghanj Nor Nork 2019-2020 Funding

Ghoghanj Nor Nork - 2019-2020 Funding

Description

The Ghoghanj Children’s Center located in the Kentron of Yerevan provides afterschool and summer school programs for approximately 60 children every month. Children who attend the Center are loosely defined as “at risk.” These children typically come from very poor households, often times with a single head of household, who cannot pay for such assistance. The goal of the Ghoghanj Children’s Center is to provide the necessary academic, psychological and social support to ensure that the children attending mature to well adjusted, successful, young adults.

In order to further impact more “at-risk” children, the Center has identified a need for this model to be replicated and offered to other communities in Armenia. Through the generous support of the Dadourian Foundation, a second center for “at-risk” children was opened in 2014 in the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan to provide support to 85 additional children annually. The new center has provided students the same core classes daily (English, Russian, Computer, Design, Painting, Theater and Dance) as the Ghoghanj Children’s Center – Kentron. The goal of this project is to broaden the services offered to socially vulnerable children and families in other communities and provide them with the proper support and guidance needed to excel in school and become self-confident and respectful young adults.

Amount will include rent, utilities, teacher salaries, maintenance and additional improvements, and supplies.

Region

Yerevan / Երևան

City / Village

Nor Nork / Նոր Նորք

Start Date

September 2019

End Date

August 2020
Ghoghanj Nor Nork 2019-2020 Funding

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

The Need
Children living in the community of Nor Nork in Yerevan are in need of additional guidance through social, psychological and academic support. A second center for these kids has been opened and needs financial support in order to cover operational costs for the following school year 2019-2020.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, sponsorship of this project will help continue to employ teachers, and provide 85 children in the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan with their needed tutoring and guidance.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, this project has the potential of impacting the lives of 85-100 at-risk students by helping them gain the guidance and support they need in order to create greater future opportunities, and become successful individuals and good citizens.
Sponsors Benefits
Your donation to fund the operational costs for the 2019-2020 school year for Ghoghanj-Nor Nork will be recognized with a plaque at the Center and on the Center’s website and in their printed materials. Your name will also be listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the center when you are in Armenia.
Anonymous User
DF

Dadourian Foundation

New York, NY December 17, 2018

Updates: Images & Information

October 6, 2019

Students from the Ghoghanj Children's Center attended the Digitec Expo 2019 annual exhibition and presented their work.

 
March 12, 2020

Following the order of the Prime Minister, the Ghoghanj Children's Center will be temporarily closed due to Covid-19 until further notice.

IMG_9720-e1550867277514

Purchase a Home 14 – Matevosyan Family

Purchase a Home 14 - Matevosyan 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 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 Matevosyan family has been identified as a family in need of a new home.  Marina, her husband Gevorg and their three children have lived in this domik since Marina and Gevorg purchased it for $1,200 nine years ago.  Gevorg works as a contract soldier and is currently stationed at the border with Azerbaijan.  The family has no running water and their domik is infested with rats. Once the move is complete, the make shift housing unit will be dismantled to prevent its future occupancy.

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

January 2019

End Date

March 2019
Purchase a Home 14 – Matevosyan Family

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 new apartment will be sought out and purchased for the Matevosyan family. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be dismantled as soon as the family has been moved into their new home.
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 January 2, 2019

Updates: Images & Information

Video Update

February 8, 2019

Today the Paros team along with our friend, Vahan Tumasyan from the Shirak Center told the Matevosyan family the good news that they were selected to receive a new home. Marina called her husband, Gevorg and gave him the good news. Gevorg is stationed at a post on the Azeri border and is due home from his shift in twelve days.

 
March 29, 2019

Today The Matevosyan Family became home owners! They signed the purchase contract at the Notary and the gifting agreement with the Paros team.

 
April 3, 2019

Moving day! The Matevosyan family said good bye to their old domik and opened a new chapter to their lives. Congratulations!

11391100_351961745012920_4490772849101135017_n-e1547589980484

Debi Arach Children’s Center 2019 Operating Budget

Debi Arach Children's Center 2019 Operating Budget

Description

The Paros Foundation launched the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri, Armenia on April 15, 2015 with the help of generous donors. The center, which provides 170 children each week the necessary academic, psychological, social and humanitarian support, has since been a source of positivity in this city. The residents of Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city have endured very devastating realities since the tragic 1988 Spitak Earthquake. More than 100,000 residents were left homeless, and plagued with unemployment and rampant poverty for years to come. In turn, the fate of children in Gyumri has also been affected. Dealing with the difficulty of finding means to feed and care for their families, many parents are unable to provide their children with the proper guidance, supervision, educational aid and the financial resources for them to excel in school and have successful futures. The Debi Arach Children’s Center, which in Armenian means “moving forward,” helps these socially vulnerable children through a holistic approach providing them with both humanitarian and educational support. The center provides counseling and group therapy with a psychologist on staff, homework help and tutoring for almost every subject the children learn in school including English, Math, Art/Design, and Computer classes. Additionally, they are served a nutritious meal everyday, helping them receive the calories and/or nutrients they would otherwise not have. Furthermore, the Center addresses a very important hygienic need by providing the children in attendance with supervised bathing facilities. The goal is to help hundreds of children develop a vision for a successful future, and to give them the skills they need to reach these goals. This project is impacting the lives of hundreds of socially vulnerable children by helping them gain the guidance and support they need in order to create greater future opportunities, and become successful individuals and good citizens.

To date, the center has already had several important successes. At least nine children have been taken out of boarding schools, attend our center and now live back at home with their families. Many of the children who were receiving poor grades in school are now achieving top scores. The children have become socially well adjusted and much more healthier than before with the continued consumption of multi-vitamins and a daily well-balanced meal. Staff trainings have begun with an academic counsel of professionals from the United States and Armenia to ensure that the children are receiving the best care, treatment and methods for their development.

The center is working on funding year four and raising additional funds in order to develop and add to the programs and classes offered with the ability to hire more educators, and get more supplies, and equipment. Funds will also be used to supplement daily activities, hold forums for guest speakers and provide educational and career planning opportunities. $77,000 is needed to cover operating costs for the Center. In January of 2017, Debi Arach successfully launched its first program within its Vocational Training Center, teaching children computer programming, 3d printing and robotics curriculum. The goal of this newest component is to provide these children with marketable job skills in order to help them work themselves out of poverty.

Watch Video

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

April 2019

End Date

March 2020
Debi Arach Children’s Center 2019 Operating Budget

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

The Need
Thousands of children in Gyumri are living in extreme poverty, with no hope for a decent future. These socially vulnerable children are in need of a safe and enriching environment where they can receive additional guidance through social, psychological and academic support giving them a chance to break their cycle of poverty. The children’s center will continue to provide these children with the opportunity to attend afterschool and summer school programs providing them with the additional skills necessary for a successful future. Additionally, these children suffer from malnutrition and related illnesses due to a lack of well-balanced meals. The center will continue to provide each child with a nutritious meal everyday, helping them receive the calories and/or nutrients they need. Furthermore, many families were forced to take refuge in overseas shipping containers (domiks), or in condemned buildings after the devastating 1988 Spitak Earthquake or due to their poor socioeconomic status. An entire generation of children has grown up in deplorable conditions, often times with no running water and little or no heat to take showers. The Center will address this very important hygienic need by continuing to provide the children in attendance with supervised new bathing facilities.
Short Term Impact
The short-term 170 children will receive immediate support and guidance to help them succeed for the second year. The Center will continue offer nutritious meals, bathing facilities, counseling opportunities, homework aid and tutoring and core classes including English, Computer, Art/Design, and Math.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, with the success of the Center’s current offerings, additional classes and programs will be added and attendance will rise. The number of children growing up in poverty in the future will decrease as the number of children successfully graduating from our program and continuing onto college or successful vocations increases. The number of “social orphans” and children temporarily residing in boarding schools in Gyumri will be reduced as parents become increasingly able to keep their children at home given the humanitarian support they receive at the center. Through ongoing employment opportunities created, several families will continue to receive a fair wage, hence improving Gyumri’s economy.
Sponsors Benefits
Your donation to sponsor the operating cost for 2019 of the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri will be recognized with a plaque at the Center and on the Center’s website and in their printed materials. Your name will also be listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will proudly arrange a visit to the new Center when you are in Armenia.
Anonymous User
MK

Ms. Mariam Kostandyan

United States September 3, 2020
Anonymous User
MD

Mr. Roupen Dechkounian

Lexington, MA April 4, 2020
Anonymous User
AG

Anonymous

Whittier, CA February 15, 2020
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. Albert Avedissian

Porter Ranch, CA January 28, 2020
Anonymous User
MC

Mr. Donald Cutler

Frisco, TX January 17, 2020
Anonymous User
MP

Ms. Gayane Pogosyan

Frisco, TX January 17, 2020
Anonymous User
MS

Mr. & Mrs. Vahan & Anne Sarkisian

New London, NH January 8, 2020
Anonymous User
DG

Dr. & Mrs. Shant & Robin Garabedian

Jackson, TN
January 8, 2020
Anonymous User
DA

Dr. John Aljian

Alpine, NJ December 31, 2019
Anonymous User
MB

Mr. & Mrs. Chuck & Peggy Barsam

Huntington Beach, CA December 31, 2019
Anonymous User
MS

Mr. & Mrs. Charles & Lisa Sansone

Sterling Heights, MI December 29, 2019
Anonymous User
VJ

Anonymous

San Juan Capistrano, CA December 27, 2019
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. & Mrs. Stanley & Irene Antranikian

Clovis, CA
In Memory Of Howard Essegian December 27, 2019
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. Albert Avedissian

Porter Ranch, CA December 26, 2019
Anonymous User
MH

Mr. & Mrs. Nejdeh & Janet Hacopian

Glendale, CA December 21, 2019
Anonymous User
MM

Mr. Shahen Hairapetian & Mrs. Arax Mansourian

San Marino, CA December 18, 2019
Anonymous User
MK

Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Rose Kizirian

Redondo Beach, CA December 16, 2019
Anonymous User
VS

Vicki & Nicole Sarkisian

Sterling Heights, MI December 15, 2019
Anonymous User
AT

Ayvazian-Daghlian Family Charitable Trust

Arlington, MA December 12, 2019
Anonymous User
MK

Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Carole Karabashian

Ventnor City, NJ December 11, 2019
View More Sponsors
June 28, 2019

The Paros Foundation’s Service Armenia 2019 group came to visit Debi Arach and implement the Packs on Backs Armenia: Debi Arach project, distributing backpacks full of school supplies to all of the students. The backpacks are important for students as they ensure that no student is left behind due to inadequate school supplies. The SERVICE 2019 group will return soon to spend one of their work days doing minor renovations and paint work at the center.

 
July 1, 2019

The Paros Foundation’s Mobile Dental Clinic arrived at Debi Arach to treat the students throughout the month of July with free dental care and treatment.

 
October 9, 2019
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 re-naming of this program as the Assarian Vocational Training Program.
November 1, 2019

Today, Debi Arach had an amazing fall mini-excursion at a local park. Students split up into groups, some picking up trash and cleaning the park, some writing poetry, and some doing arts and crafts. It was a great day not only doing good for the community, but also appreciating nature.

 
November 7, 2019

Debi Arach now has a small library for students with over 100 books in Armenian, English, and Russian. Classes have been extended two days a week to allow for some independent reading time.

 
November 12, 2019

As a part of Debi Arach's career fair program and focused on the profession of law, 20 students were given the rare opportunity to visit a court. The president of the Universal Court of the Shirak Marz, Gagik Hovhannisyan, spoke about the judicial process and how a court case works. Students received a full tour of the area and learned so much about what lawyers do.

 
December 13, 2019

Debi Arach had a special visit from the Armenian EyeCare Project. They performed 19 eye exams for students who exhibited sight problems, 12 of which will be fitted for glasses. Thank you Armenian EyeCare Project!

 
March 9, 2020

The Debi Arach Children's Center and as well as the Assarian Vocational Training Program have temporarily closed due to Covid-19 following the order of the Prime Minister and until further notice. We are dedicated to providing consistent meals, psychological support, and structured in-home learning to the youth. Although the facility is currently closed, we are working hard to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all students and staff. We have also committed to continue paying our staff during the closure. We are working closely with our on-staff psychologist, who is checking in with the kids each week to help them navigate their lives during this challenging time. We want to make sure the students still receive consistent, adequate nutrition so we are providing food packages for all families of Debi Arach with guidelines on safety protocols for receiving and cleaning the items.

IMG_9455-e1548740197799

Purchase a Home 13 – Sargsyan Family

Purchase a Home 13 - Sargsyan 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.

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

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Two months after start date
Purchase a Home 13 – Sargsyan Family

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
RB

Anonymous

Switzerland March 12, 2020
Anonymous User
MS

Mrs. Alma Sahagian

Cambridge, MA January 17, 2020
Anonymous User
DN

Dr. & Mrs. Allen & Wendy Nalbandian

Escondido, CA January 10, 2020
Anonymous User
JA

Anonymous

Oakland, CA January 6, 2020
Anonymous User
MT

Mr. Berj Tashjian

Los Angeles, CA December 31, 2019
Anonymous User
MK

Mr. Morley Pitt and Mrs. Elaine Kapjian-Pitt

San Francisco, CA December 31, 2019
Anonymous User
ME

Mr. Greg Burns & Mrs. Lisa Esayian

Chicago, IL December 31, 2019
Anonymous User
MA

Mr. Stephan Wenger & Mrs. Asli Apkan

Hillsborough, CA December 30, 2019
View More Sponsors

Updates: Images & Information

March 7, 2019

The Sargsyan Family signed the purchase contract and gifting agreement today at the Notary in Yerevan. They are officially homeowners!

 
March 13, 2019

Moving day for the Sargsyan Family! Now they begin their new lives.

Image-from-iOS-8-e1551302837929

Purchase a Home 12 – Yeranosyan Family

Purchase a Home 12 - Yeranosyan 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 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.

Jhanna and her two sons live in deplorable conditions.  Their domik is located along Gyumri’s sewer lines, and when it rains, their domik gets filled with sewage.  Jhanna has a disability and a problem walking.  She does not have a husband.  Both of her son’s attend one of Gyumri’s boarding schools because of their terrible living environment and are often ill.  Once the funds are raised to move Jhanna and her family, their make shift housing unit will be dismantled to prevent its future occupancy.

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

January 2019

End Date

March 2019
Purchase a Home 12 – Yeranosyan Family

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
Upon this project getting funded, an apartment will be purchased for this family. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be dismantled.
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 January 2, 2019

Updates: Images & Information

Video Update

January 27, 2019

Today our team visited Jhanna and boys in their horrible domik. Later this evening, we invited them to the Shirak Center to tell them we have qualified them for a new apartment and found them a new apartment to purchase. We are hopeful that in a few weeks, we will be able to move them into their new home and her boys will no longer have to attend boarding school.

 
February 11, 2019

Jhanna and her sons came to Yerevan today to sign the purchase documents and gifting agreement for their new home. Congratulations!

 
February 27, 2019

Today, Paros staff and our friends at the Shirak Center moved Jhanna and her family to their new apartment. Renovations were done to the apartment prior to their move and some new furniture was purchased and given to them too! Congratulations to Yeranosyan again on this fresh start and thank you to Jack Youredjian and his family for their support of this effort.

IMG_0405-e1558981855885

Purchase a Home 19 – Hayrapetyan Family

Purchase a Home 19 - Hayrapetyan 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.

Aram, Yevgine and their daughter Anna live in a domik located essentially on a main street in Gyumri.  The family moved into this domik when they got married.  They have little hope of receiving an apartment through a government program.  Anna, their daughter, has a slight developmental problem that effects her speech.  They are under considerable pressure from the city to move their domik off the road as it effects the traffic pattern and is unsafe to live in such a place.  Aram and Yevgine are fearful that their daughter, Anna could be hit by a car if she is outside alone.

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

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

May 2019

End Date

July 2019
Purchase a Home 19 – Hayrapetyan Family

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

June 26, 2019

Today we met the Hayrapetyan Family at the Notory's office to sign their apartment's purchase contract! They are now officially homeowners!

 
June 27, 2019

The Hayrapetyan Family moved into their new home today!

IMG_0386-e1558678398847

Purchase a Home 17 – Kharatyan Family

Purchase a Home 17 - Kharatyan 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.

Arman, Hasmik and their three children live in a domik located in one of the desolate areas of Gyumri.  Arman grew up living in this domik after the earthquake.  Now he and his family continue living in these horrible conditions without running water or gas.  Last year, they participated in the housing lottery sponsored by the city of Gyumri, unfortunately they were not lucky enough to win a new home for their family.

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

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

May 2019

End Date

September 2019
Purchase a Home 17 – Kharatyan Family

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

September 10, 2019

After an extensive search in Gyumri, the Kharatyan family moved into their new home today! Big news, the family is expecting their fourth child!

IMG_0399-e1558981275750

Purchase a Home 18 – Chakhalyan Family

Purchase a Home 18 - Chakhalyan 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.

In 2014, Mariam, her husband and two children had saved up enough money to purchase their own domik.  They had lived in a neighboring rental domik since the time they were married.  On May 31, 2018, Mariam’s husband took his own life.  Mariam and her children receive governmental support to survive.

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

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

May 2019

End Date

July 2019
Purchase a Home 18 – Chakhalyan Family

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
Upon this project getting funded, an apartment will be purchased for this family. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be dismantled.
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, 2019

Today the Paros team along with our friend and partner, Vahan Tumasyan from the Shirak Center visited the Chakhalyan Family to give them the great news that they were selected to receive a new home.

 
July 12, 2019

We accompanied the Chakhalyan Family to the notary office today so that they can sign their apartment's purchase contract! They are now officially homeowners!

 
July 22, 2019

The Chakhalyan Family has started packing their belongings and will soon move into their new home.

 
July 24, 2019

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