PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Byuzand Street, 0010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: igrigoryan@coafkids.org
Web:
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Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
162 Fifth Avenue, Suite 902,
New York, NY 10010, USA
Contact: Anna Sargsyan
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8234
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: asargsyan@coafkids.org
Web:
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COAF Reviews Psycho-Social Center Activities at a Roundtable
Karakert, Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, March 15, 2007 ¾
Today, the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) held a roundtable in the
newly opened Sirius restaurant complex in Karakert to review the
activities of the Psycho-Social Center and to present the preliminary
results of the project. The project was made possible through the
co-sponsorship of UNICEF and close cooperation with Mission East and the
Arabkir Medical Center.
Launched in June 2006 as part of COAF’s Model Cluster program, the
Psycho-Social Center [PSC] serves all six communities ¾ Argina,
Dalarik, Karakert, Lernagog, Myasnikyan and Shenik. Temporarily
located in Dalarik, the PSC staff travels through the villages to bring
its services directly to the communities. The purpose of the project is
to raise public awareness of child’s rights, with emphasis on training
parents and educators on the rights of children with special needs and
the socially disadvantaged, ultimately aiming at their integration in
the larger society.
Participating in the event from the Armavir District were the Mayors of
the Model Cluster villages, headed by Deputy Governor Dr. Larisa
Muradyan and Ms. Marine Hovakimyan, Head of Child Protection Unit at the
Armavir Municipality. Making presentations on behalf of COAF were Dr.
Arpie Balian, Resident Country Director, Dr. Naira Gharakhanyan, Manager
for Health, Social and Educational Programs and Mr. Ara Amirjanyan,
Psycho-Social Project Manager. Speaking for UNICEF was Mr. Sheldon
Yett, Representative of UNICEF Armenia. Also present at the event were a
multitude of representatives from international organizations and local
NGOs, including Mission East-Armenia and Bridge of Hope NGO.
In her welcoming address, Dr. Balian focused on COAF’s fundamental
purpose, which is the principal driver for creating the Psycho-Social
Center. "This is yet another project that aims to ensure that this
generation of young Armenians is afforded the opportunity to reach full
potential. Our mission cannot exclude the physically or socially
disadvantaged. On the contrary, COAF pays special attention to the
underprivileged and is proud to witness their gradual integration into
society." In turn, Mr. Yett spoke of the importance of the project with
regard to data collection for perusal in formulating government policy
and programmatic direction. On behalf of Armavir Marzpetaran, Dr.
Muradyan ensured the continuous support and cooperation both with COAF,
local NGOs and other international counterparts.
Dr. Gharakhanyan presented the Psycho-Social Center’s service components
and methodology used in the project, followed by a presentation of the
findings and accomplishments by Mr. Amirjanyan. The specific social and
psychological issues found to date were displayed by Ms. Gayane
Asatryan, the Staff Social Worker, and Ms. Tamara Harutyunyan, the Staff
Psychologist. An open discussion followed, during which the
participants exchanged ideas and explored avenues of further
cooperation. The round table concluded with a commitment by all partner
organizations to ensure the project sustainability and expanded service.
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