Press Releases
BERKELEY, CA—Thanks to the generosity of Jean-Marie and Lori Atamian and their family, the Grigoryan family of Gyumri moved from their “domik” to a new apartment through The Paros Foundation’s “Purchase a Home Project.” Over a ten day period in July 2015, the Grigoryan’s domik was dismantled, the land cleared and the family moved into a two bedroom apartment. The land, where their domik has been situated for 25 years, was returned to the adjacent school as part of an agreement with the school and city, and will be used by the school once more.
“It is a great day in Gyumri when another family can leave behind the desperation of “domik” living and move into a clean, safe and beautiful apartment,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “I would like to especially thank Jean-Marie and Lori Atamian and their family for their generous support to purchase a quality two-bedroom apartment for the Grigoryans.”
At the conclusion of a strict screening process, and confirmation that the Grigoryans qualified for an apartment through the “Purchase a Home” project, Paros Foundation staff, along with Paros Foundation partner, the Shirak Centre NGO, identified and purchased the apartment. New kitchen cabinets and appliances were purchased then installed making their new home complete.
“We have only been in our new home for ten days, and we already feel like real people,” said Armine Grigoryan, wife and mother of two. “I wish for the day that no one is left living in a domik in Gyumri.”
Following the Grigoryan’s move, their old domik was dismantled and wood taken from the salvage has been stored for distribution to other domik families to use for heating and cooking fuel this winter. The metal and other construction materials were sold for scrap and above average wages were paid to locals who worked to tear down this domik.
The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses so that 100% of the Atamian contribution was allocated to this project. This is the second family to benefit from the “Purchase a Home” project. The Paros Foundation continues to raise funds to support the plight of other domik families in Gyumri. To help this effort or another project of the Paros Foundation’s Projects for Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.
To honor the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, The Paros Foundation launched The Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity initiative in the fall of 2011 to benefit Armenia and her people. 100 pre-screened projects in the areas of development, education, cultural and humanitarian will be implemented to help make Armenia stronger and improve the lives of her people.
Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. To find out how you can sponsor a project and for more information about how to get involved, please visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.
Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation supports six exemplary local NGOs in Armenia and launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the upcoming centennial of the Armenian Genocide. With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting, fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States are quickly earning a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.
To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.