PRESS OFFICE
The Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Simon Y. Balian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Prime-Minister Tigran Sargsyan attend
Mardigian Dedication Ceremony at the FAR Children Support Center
(CSCF) in Yerevan
"Considering the size of our country the number of children we can
save might be large; however, the number is not large enough if we
consider the number of abandoned children on the street whose future
still looks colorless and gloomy," said Mira Antonyan, the director of
the FAR Children Support Center in Yerevan. "This is why we are truly
blessed to have humanitarians like the Mardigian family in our midst.
Philanthropists who believe in what we are doing and support our
important work here."
A number of guests expressed their deep appreciation during the
dedication ceremony on September 28th, honoring the long-term
commitment of Edward & Janet Mardigian – highlighted by a pledge of $1
million toward the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) Homeless Children’s
Center. Speakers included Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of
Armenian Church in America (Eastern Diocese) and President of Fund for
Armenian Relief; Armenian Prime-Minister Tigran Sargsyan; the Minister
of Labor and Social Affairs, Arsen Hambardzumyan; and Randy
Sapah-Gulian, Chairman of Fund for Armenian Relief.
Initially, the FAR Children’s Support Center served as a short-term
sanctuary for homeless children. Street children were brought to the
FAR facility in Yerevan and cared for by trained professionals who
would find them suitable placements.
More than 4,000 troubled children from across Armenia and Karabagh
have been helped at the center since its founding in 2000. Today the
FAR Children’s Support Center is becoming a full-service facility for
children at risk and their families. By expanding its assistance and
adding new locations, the center constantly confirms its role as the
child protection pioneer in Armenia.
In a country where 48% of families with infants still live in extreme
poverty – a level well below the poverty line – there is an alarmingly
growing trend of parents abandoning their children. This abandonment
results in many being placed in institutions, such as orphanages,
boarding schools and specialized training institutions. Many others
are destined to live on the street.
"It is heartbreaking to see what is happening to Armenian children,"
said Janet Mardigian following her tour of the FAR Children’s Support
Center in July 2007. "Anyone who visits cannot leave without shedding
tears. It was very difficult coming home from there. I love children
and have a soft spot for them. They are the ones who need help."
FAR’s social workers, psychologists, and healthcare professionals will
use the pledged funds to care for Armenia’s at-risk children. The gift
will provide immediate funding for the prevention of child abandonment
by enhancing and expanding the Center’s family and
community-strengthening programs.
"We chose FAR’s Homeless Children’s Center because of FAR’s strong
experience as child welfare advocates in Armenia and its track record
as pioneers in effecting positive change in children’s lives," Edward
Mardigian said. "It is our family’s duty to support the children of
Armenia, Karabagh and Javakhk."
In recognition of the gift, the FAR has established the Child
Protection Foundation. As part of the event Edward and Janet Mardigian
unveiled a special plaque – an elegant basalt stone with the
inscription "Helen and Edward Mardigian Family Child Protection
Foundation."
"They taught us to want to give back, communicating that this country
was good to them and so they wanted to give back to the community,"
Edward Mardigian said. "My father focused on the Armenian community,
however, he wanted to serve everyone, which is why our family started
the foundation."
Established in 1955, the Helen and Edward Mardigian Foundation has
provided significant support to various religious, cultural and
educational philanthropies, including a major contribution to the
building of St. John’s Armenian Church of Greater Detroit, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Armenian Assembly of
America, and the restoration of many historic Armenian churches and
monasteries worldwide. It has funded three museums: the Edward and
Helen Mardigian Museum in the Armenian quarter of Jerusalem, the
museum in the Armenian monastery in Geghard, Armenia, and others. It
also created the Helen and Edward Mardigian Institute, a highly
successful training program for educators, particularly for Sunday
School teachers without a professional education background.
Major benefactors to the University of Michigan- Dearborn, the campus
library was rededicated the Helen and Edward Mardigian Library in
their honor. More recently, the Mardigian Foundation has donated to
the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Geriatrics
Center Building, the Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital’s Mardigian Family
Surgery Center in Michigan, and the River Otter Exhibit at the Detroit
Zoo. It also provides grants for cardiac research at the University
of Michigan and lymphoma research at the Mayo Clinic.
For more information on FAR or to send donations, visit
or contact at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016;
Tel: (212) 889-5150 or email: [email protected]
Click here for photographs of the event. – -xumLRy7lZJ_zV8x3xrAWYsjUhn7kbuZNX7SgWW_3QlVQ1c0Bu 6K_76_lURitXeDyk9XQM7jlfsESa9_1V0fcNW2uB0ca5cqLlhA PDpt1pt9CbT8kkbB3u0xq2xNdTcG3q_RskXVMBpWwVddLGHxLv gPWlDE0gQ==
Fund for Armenian ReliefGarnik A. NanagoulianExecutive Director
email: [email protected]: (212) 889-5150
http://farusa.org
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001LrMMonmJ-S_gSS9mryFa_DY