The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative and overhead costs allowing 100% of all donor contributions to godirectly 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.
More than 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. These facilities provide for the children’s basic needs, but their limited budgets do not allow these children to participate in visits to popular historical sites, an amusement park or concert, or attend a cultural event.
Armenia’s orphan children should have the opportunity to experience popular cultural events, exhibits, and excursions in Armenia, or simply have a fun afternoon or activity that they normally would not be able to experience. Many different activities and excursions can be organized for these children. The extent of the activity or trip is directly related to the sponsorship amount. For sponsorships amounts between $250 -$750 approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of chaperons will be able participate in a memorable activity. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.
The Paros Foundation staff and volunteers will organize and oversee the excursion/activity. Opportunities to sponsor excursions for orphanages serving both disabled and non-disabled children exist. Whenever possible, our staff will work with the destination for the excursion to secure group pricing and/or discounts.
Region
Throughout Armenia
City / Village
Throughout Armenia
Start Date
October 18, 2022
End Date
October 18, 2022
The Need
Armenia’s orphanages generally are able to provide for their children’s basic care, but limited funding does not allow these children to visit museums, historical sites and popular cultural events. Allowing a child a few hours of recreation and/or entertainment as a regular child greatly enhances his/her outlook on life and reduces the emotional complexes of being an orphan.
Short Term Impact
The short-term impact of this project will be the immediate employment of a bus driver, money being spent in Armenia’s local economy and most important the education and social benefits for 20 orphan children.
Long Term Impact
This project has considerable long-term emotion, education and psychological benefits for the children, as they will be able to participate in activities that are above and beyond basic existence in an orphanage.
Sponsors Benefits
Your support of this project will be recognized at the relevant Orphanage, 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 to the care facility when you are in Armenia.
Participants of the SERVICE Armenia 2022 Young Professionals group accompanied children from the Yerevan Children’s Home during a fun afternoon excursion at an indoor zoo.
Hrant and his wife along with their married son and his family all live together in the border village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur. Seven people total live in this home, including three children under the age of six. The home is in need of a full remodel including the addition of one bedroom to offer the children a space of their own.
The family has a small plot of land around the house. They have a pig and a cow and some bee hives. They also have a small plot of land on the edge of the village that they use to harvest grass for use in their small barn.
Hrant is a retired soldier from the Armenian army and lives on a pension. His son, Karen, works in Berd and also works as a beekeeper for The Paros Foundation’s honey production effort at the local school.
Hrant’s house is in overall poor condition with their greatest need being a new roof and doors and windows. They also do not have proper heating. This effort would not only solve these critical housing needs, but also provide this large family with a completely renovated and reconfigured home for them.
Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of approximately 1,100 residents in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community remains under constant risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. NKA was the single most damaged Armenian village during the Azeri conflict in the 1990’s. The economy of the village and the livelihood of many of its residents have suffered due to these difficult and dangerous conditions. In particular, 70% of their fertile land is unusable because of frequent sniper attacks. Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is a beneficiary village of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border Initiative. With major financial support of Jean-Marie Atamian and his family over the last 10 years, much of the village’s infrastructure has been completely rebuilt and improved including, but not limited to, its large secondary school, expanded kindergarten, medical center, emergency services building and water distribution system. In addition, several families have benefited from agribusiness and animal husbandry projects. Having funded the rebuilding of NKA’s infrastructure, the Atamian family is now focusing its attention on the reconstruction of severely damaged houses to provide decent and safe homes for deserving families in the village.
Hrant A.’s home is in poor condition. Due to lack of economic opportunities in this border community, Hrant and his family cannot afford to renovate their home. A leaky roof, poor windows and lack of proper heating create unsafe and uncomfortable conditions for his large family.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, a local construction crew will be employed to renovate this home and earn a fair market wage. Reconstruction materials will be purchased locally also to provide a benefit to the regional economy.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, as homes in these communities are improved, local villagers will take greater pride in their communities. More importantly, Hrant and his family will live in safer and more comfortable conditions.
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.
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:
16 domik families will receive a new home.
16 domiks will be demolished and land returned to the city.
One unfinished building will be completed, eliminating another eye sore for the city.
During the construction phase, more than $500,000 will be invested in Gyumri’s economy through material purchases and labor.
Once completed, Debi Arach will create an additional 8 to 10 full time employment positions.
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.
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.
August 11, 2025Thanks to a very generous anonymous donation, funding has been raised to complete the entire construction of this building. Additional donations will go towards the furniture and equipment needed for the housing units and children’s center.
Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of more than 1,100 residents in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community remains under constant risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. NKA was the single most damaged Armenian village during the Azeri conflict in the 1990’s. The economy of the village and the livelihood of many of its residents have suffered due to these difficult and dangerous conditions. In particular, 70% of their fertile land is unusable because of frequent sniper attacks. Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is a beneficiary village of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border Initiative. With major financial support of Jean-Marie Atamian and his family over the last ten years, much of the village’s infrastructure has been completely rebuilt and improved including, but not limited to, its large secondary school, expanded kindergarten, medical center, emergency services building and water distribution system. In addition, several families have benefited from agribusiness and animal husbandry projects. Having funded the rebuilding of NKA’s infrastructure, the Atamian family is now focusing its attention on the reconstruction of severely damaged houses to provide decent and safe homes for deserving families in the village. Since 2012, a variety of work (ranging from $2,500 to $30,000) has taken place on more than 20 homes in the village.
Ashot A. lives with his wife, his two sons and one of his son’s families. A total of eight people live together.
One of Ashot’s sons works for the road police, and the other works in construction and has even worked in the past as part of the Paros work crew. They have land which they plant a garden, they have one pig and some chickens. Ashot’s newest grandchild was born with some physical defects. He is missing fingers on his hand and his foot is malformed. He is being treated with special shoes to help form his foot in Yerevan. The family is concerned with the baby’ treatment and has little funding available to make needed improvements to their home.
Prior to the birth of the newest grandchild, Ashot had begun to do some work on their home including making roof repairs and had hopes of building the family a bathroom and new kitchen. However, the baby’s medical problems have consumed any available funds for hospital bills. The work will include a new roof, windows, kitchen, bathroom, heating system and a complete interior remodel. This will allow the family to leave in clean, sanitary and comfortable conditions.
Ashot A.’s home needs to be completely renovated to help this border family live in a clean, safe and comfortable environment.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, work will be done to renovate this home. The local economy will benefit as materials and labor will be secured locally whenever possible.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, Ashot’s family will thrive in their new home and the community as a whole will benefit as conditions in their community continue to improve.
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.
Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of more than 1,100 residents in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community remains under constant risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. NKA was the single most damaged Armenian village during the Azeri conflict in the 1990’s. The economy of the village and the livelihood of many of its residents have suffered due to these difficult and dangerous conditions. In particular, 70% of their fertile land is unusable because of frequent sniper attacks. Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is a beneficiary village of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border Initiative. With major financial support of Jean-Marie Atamian and his family over the last ten years, much of the village’s infrastructure has been completely rebuilt and improved including, but not limited to, its large secondary school, expanded kindergarten, medical center, emergency services building and water distribution system. In addition, several families have benefited from agribusiness and animal husbandry projects. Having funded the rebuilding of NKA’s infrastructure, the Atamian family is now focusing its attention on the reconstruction of severely damaged houses to provide decent and safe homes for deserving families in the village. Since 2012, a variety of work (ranging from $2,500 to $30,000) has taken place on more than 20 homes in the village.
Rafik P. is 44 and his wife is 32. They have two sons. Roman and Mark, 8 and 5 years old. Rafik works occasionally at a store doing basic labor on an occasional basis when they need him. Anna studied management but does not because she is caring for her children. The family lives on Rafik’s income plus, they have one cow, one calf and some chickens. They also care for Anna’s father’s beehives and they split the honey with him. Rafik’s home is in very poor condition and needs to be completely renovated. The family is trying their best to make ends meet but their house is in very poor condition and they have little hope of being able to renovate it themselves. The work will include a new roof, windows, kitchen, bathroom, heating system and a complete interior remodel. This will allow the family to leave in clean, sanitary and comfortable conditions.
Rafik P.’s home needs to be completely renovated to help this border family live in a clean, safe and comfortable environment.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, work will be done to renovate this home. The local economy will benefit as materials and labor will be secured locally whenever possible.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, Rafik’s family will thrive in their new home and the community as a whole will benefit as conditions in their community continue to improve.
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.
Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of more than 1,100 residents in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community remains under constant risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. NKA was the single most damaged Armenian village during the Azeri conflict in the 1990’s. The economy of the village and the livelihood of many of its residents have suffered due to these difficult and dangerous conditions. In particular, 70% of their fertile land is unusable because of frequent sniper attacks. Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is a beneficiary village of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border Initiative. With major financial support of Jean-Marie Atamian and his family over the last ten years, much of the village’s infrastructure has been completely rebuilt and improved including, but not limited to, its large secondary school, expanded kindergarten, medical center, emergency services building and water distribution system. In addition, several families have benefited from agribusiness and animal husbandry projects. Having funded the rebuilding of NKA’s infrastructure, the Atamian family is now focusing its attention on the reconstruction of severely damaged houses to provide decent and safe homes for deserving families in the village. Since 2012, a variety of work (ranging from $2,500 to $30,000) has taken place on more than 20 homes in the village.
Varsik Vardanian lives with her son, daughter-in-law and four young grand-children.
Vahe is a contract soldier, guarding the border in two- week shifts each month. Varsik is retired. They live in a large home of about 2,250 square feet. They have one cow, two calves and a pig. They also have a large plot of land near their home for the family garden. Their home needs to be completely remodeled including a new roof, new windows, heating system, bathroom, kitchen and a full interior remodel. This will allow the family to leave in clean, sanitary and comfortable conditions.
Varsik V.’s home needs to be completely renovated to help this border family live in a clean, safe and comfortable environment.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, work will be done to renovate this home. The local economy will benefit as materials and labor will be secured locally whenever possible.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, Varsik’s family will thrive in their new home and the community as a whole will benefit as conditions in their community continue to improve.
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.
The village of Verishen is located in Armenia’s Syunik Region and is part of the Goris administrative district. The village is home to more than 2,200 residents. The community has a large kindergarten that operates three groups with almost 90 children. There are more than 40 additional children waiting to attend the kindergarten, however space limitations prevent them for opening two additional groups and accepting these children into the kindergarten. In addition, the existing building is in overall poor condition and needs a complete cosmetic remodel including a new kitchen and new bathrooms throughout to improve the sanitary conditions of the facility.
More than 40 children are waiting to attend kindergarten and receive the benefits of early education in the village of Verishen. However, the existing building is too small and in too poor a condition to accept these additional children. Once expanded, the existing building needs to also be fully renovated to improve the sanitary conditions within the facility.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, the expanded and renovated kindergarten will add two additional groups of children (40+) and will hire additional staff to work at the kindergarten. Local work crews and material suppliers will benefit economically during the construction.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, more than 130 children will benefit from the new and sanitary conditions within the kindergarten. New teachers will benefit economically from the new staff positions. Parents in the village will also benefit from their children attending the kindergarten.
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 this community can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
Work began on the reinforcing and expansion of the two balconies at the kindergarten in the village of Verishen.
February 15, 2022
With the structural work on the exterior of the balcony expansions completed, work has begun on the inside of the four new classrooms.
April 18, 2022
The first phase of expanding the school is complete. The second phase of renovating four new classrooms continues.
December 19, 2022
With renovations wrapping up, final aesthetic touches are made to the building. This includes the locals volunteering to paint the outside of the kindergarten to make it more beautiful.
December 25, 2022
The Verishen Kindergarten’s renovations have been successfully completed! A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening, and the kindergarteners were excited to see their new kindergarten.
The Kharpert Home for Special Children is an orphanage located in the village of Nor Kharpert serving more than 250 children with varying degrees of developmental disabilities. The orphanage is a state run facility that receives governmental support to provide these vulnerable children with basic care and education.
Excursions to amusement parks and/or other appropriate venues provide these children with both valuable community experience and needed recreation. Children with disabilities in Armenia are generally kept sheltered from society. These children do not attend school, but rather attend classes at the orphanage. It is important for both these children and society that they experience community life.
For each donation of $250, approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of care provides will be able to go on an excursion to Yerevan at Victory Park, or another appropriate venue for a morning or afternoon of activities including transportation, admission and snacks. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.
Region
Yerevan
City / Village
Nor Kharpert
Start Date
October 2022
End Date
October 2022
The Need
Several homes in these frontier communities were damaged to varying degrees and need immediate repair. Villagers need to know that the diaspora stands with them in this time of need.
Short Term Impact
Approximately 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. While these facilities provide basic care for these children, their limited funding does not permit these children regular visits and participate in various social and cultural activities. A child with a disability has very few opportunities to visit the city and experience life outside of the grounds of the Kharpert orphanage.
Long Term Impact
This project has considerable long-term benefits for both the children and for society. Society’s attitudes towards people with disabilities will slowly begin to change as people witness these children regularly and realize that society can indeed accommodate them as part of their community.
Sponsors Benefits
Your donation towards the Kharpert Home for Special Children’s Excursion project will be recognized 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 to the Kharpert Home for Special Children when you are in Armenia.
Residents of the Kharpert Home for Special Children went on an excursion to a Lake Sevan camp. They had a fun week of swimming and lakeside activities.
More than 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. These facilities provide for the children’s basic needs, but their limited budgets do not allow these children to participate in visits to popular historical sites, an amusement park or concert, or attend a cultural event.
Armenia’s orphan children should have the opportunity to experience popular cultural events, exhibits, and excursions in Armenia, or simply have a fun afternoon or activity that they normally would not be able to experience. Many different activities and excursions can be organized for these children. The extent of the activity or trip is directly related to the sponsorship amount. For sponsorships amounts between $250 -$750 approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of chaperons will be able participate in a memorable activity. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.
The Paros Foundation staff and volunteers will organize and oversee the excursion/activity. Opportunities to sponsor excursions for orphanages serving both disabled and non-disabled children exist. Whenever possible, our staff will work with the destination for the excursion to secure group pricing and/or discounts.
Region
Throughout Armenia
City / Village
Throughout Armenia
Start Date
July 6, 2022
End Date
July 6, 2022
The Need
Armenia’s orphanages generally are able to provide for their children’s basic care, but limited funding does not allow these children to visit museums, historical sites and popular cultural events. Allowing a child a few hours of recreation and/or entertainment as a regular child greatly enhances his/her outlook on life and reduces the emotional complexes of being an orphan.
Short Term Impact
The short-term impact of this project will be the immediate employment of a bus driver, money being spent in Armenia’s local economy and most important the education and social benefits for 20 orphan children.
Long Term Impact
This project has considerable long-term emotion, education and psychological benefits for the children, as they will be able to participate in activities that are above and beyond basic existence in an orphanage.
Sponsors Benefits
Your support of this project will be recognized at the relevant Orphanage, 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 to the care facility when you are in Armenia.
Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2022 group accompanied children from the Yerevan Children’s Home during a fun afternoon excursion at the Yerevan Zoo.
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 185 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 take place 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 eight 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. $82,000 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. In 2019, with the long term commitment by Dr. & Mrs. Gary and Linda Assarian (MI) the vocational training program was renamed the Assarian Vocational Training Program.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idA8y2UEDp8
Region
Shirak / Շիրակ
City / Village
Gyumri / Գյումրի
Start Date
April 2022
End Date
March 2023
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 185 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 2022 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.
