Paros Foundation Newsletter, Spring 2010
The Paros Foundation, 918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA
94710. Contact: Peter Abajian, Tel: 310-400-9061,
E-mail: [email protected]
Representatives Pallone & Speier
On March 30, U.S. Members of Congress Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Jackie Speier (D-CA) held a community forum organized by the
Paros Foundation and St. Vartan’s Armenian Church, in
cooperation with the Armenian Assembly’s Northern California
Regional Council. More than 160 people attended and asked a
range of questions on the U.S.-Armenia relationship, affirmation
of the Armenian Genocide and situation surrounding the peace
process and Artsakh.
Ghoghanj Children’s Center Celebrates New Location
On February 27th, Paros Foundation Chairman Roger Strauch, and
Executive Director Peter Abajian joined the teachers, staff,
children, family and friends of the Ghoghanj Children’s Center
to celebrate the opening of their new location.
The Center is well located in a newly renovated space, provided
to Ghoghanj rent-free by The Paros Foundation, at Moskovyan 38,
Apt. 2, in downtown Yerevan.
To watch a bit of the celebration, visit
Sponsor-A-Sign
The Paros Foundation and the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Art is
searching for donors to "Sponsor-A-Sign". Plans to promote the
Museum and encourage visitors through the placement of three
large and several small signs on the major roads in and out of
Vanadzor are approved. Individuals, organizations and businesses
can sponsor the sign project.
For more information contact [[email protected]].
Neighbors Film Project
The Manana Youth Center’s youth film studio’s new project,
Neighbors, won development funds and important recognition at an
event organized by the Golden Apricot International Film
Festival and Anadolu Kultur as part of the Armenia Turkey Cinema
Platform (ATCP).
Neighbors is a full-length documentary film launched with the
support of Royal Norwegian Embassy. The film discusses two
neighboring villages, which are divided by the barbed wire of
Armenian-Turkish Border.
The event was held in Istanbul on April 7-11. The film will be
shown at both the Istanbul International Film Festival and
Golden Apricot in 2011.
Paros Choir to Perform May 24th
The Paros Chamber Choir will perform together with the Symphonic
Orchestra of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory on May 24th
at 7:00 p.m. at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in Yerevan.
The group will perform Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi.
For tickets contact: tel. (+37410) 522170 or visit the Concert
Hall box-office.
Miss Beauty 2010
On April 7, in celebration of Women’s Month in Armenia, the
Unison NGO organized its 5th National Beauty Photo Contest of
Women with Disabilities under the slogan "Miss Beauty 2010."
This event is specifically designed to challenge the stereotypes
related to people with disabilities.
This year, 71 women with disabilities, representing all 10
regions of Armenia, as well as Akhalkalaki (Georgia) and Los
Angeles (USA) participated in the contest. The winner of this
year’s contest, Angela Avagyan Miss 2010, is 16 years old and
lives in Stepanavan.
Raffi Hovhannissian, Founder of Zharangutyun (Heritage) Party,
Member of Armenian Parliament commended Unison on this exciting
event.
"These type of events, which became a reality due to your
tireless efforts, have a deep sense and meaning. This is the
best expression of challenging stereotypes and respecting the
principle of non-discrimination and equality."
To get involved and help make a difference, please donate now by
visiting !
About The Paros Foundation
The Paros Foundation works with six organizations in Armenia
involving the arts, children and people with disabilities. These
organizations are recognized as leaders in their respective
fields. Our support comes in the form of organizational
operating funds, office space and operational resources and
mentoring.
The mission is help these modest size projects manage their
growth and attract more financial, human, and physical resources
to their respective causes.
We have built a staff of travelling and in-country resources that
other individuals or organizations may choose to utilize to
implement their project and support their efforts to improve the
quality of life and culture in Armenia.
The Foundation welcomes the involvement of our friends around the
world. Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c)3 private
foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.