2023 Annual Report
FAR was born from a humanitarian emergency. The mission to help those most in need to access the essentials of survival with dignity remains at the heart of the organization’s work. The Social Services Program continues to provide the most essential assistance to some of Armenia’s most vulnerable people.
FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF PROGRAMS
Social Services
FAR was born from a humanitarian emergency. The mission to help those most in need to access the essentials of survival with dignity remains at the heart of the organization’s work. The Social Services Program continues to provide the most essential assistance to some of Armenia’s most vulnerable people.
FAR SOUP KITCHENS
In 2023, FAR continued to assist some of Armenia’s most vulnerable through its five soup kitchens: Nor Nork in Yerevan, the Berd soup kitchen, the Yeghsapet Jambazian-Mangoyan and Yeghsapet Ambarian-Ouzounian soup kitchens in Nor Hajn and Byureghavan, and the Gyumri Atinizian Senior Center.
Beneficiaries, many of whom are low-income retirees, rely on the soup kitchens for their main meal of the day. In addition, soup kitchens are often their most valuable way to gain social connection which helps them to combat the isolation that many of them face.
In 2023, FAR’s five soup kitchens served 730 people, including two displaced Artsakh families who sought support and healthy meals at the Nor Hajn and Nor Nork kitchens after being forced from their homes.
While seeking refuge in Gegharkunik and also in Ararat Province, the family faced hardships. Job opportunities were scarce. Eventually, they found solace in Byureghavan, which is in Kotayk Province, where Rudik now works as a driver for the municipality and takes on the occasional renovation project. Yet, his income remains unstable and is often not enough to fully meet the family's needs.
“I started working here to supplement our income; now I genuinely enjoy it. Everyone who tastes my food finds it delicious. My family also has our meals here,” Tatev said. “The soup kitchen has become more than just a workplace; it has become a haven of hope and a healing power. It has allowed me to get accustomed to the beneficiaries of the soup kitchen and try to help them as much as I can because I, too, was given a helping hand when I was in dire need. Now, my only wish is to provide my children with a roof over their heads and a peaceful life."
Originally from Gegharkunik, Armenia, Tatev moved to Artsakh with her parents in the early aughts into a house that FAR constructed for them.
"I still remember the FAR plaque right in front of our house," she said as she reminisced about her peaceful days in Artsakh.
She met her husband Rudik while working at a daycare center in Hadrut. For years their home was filled with love as they raised their three children, Narek, 9, Gor, 15, and Raisa, 18. Then the Artsakh War of 2020 shattered their lives and forced them out.
Tatev Gasparyan
HIGHLIGHTED BENEFICIARY
TATEV GASPARYAN IS ONE OF THE NEWEST STAFF MEMBERS OF FAR’S YEGHSAPET AMBARIAN-OUZOUNIAN SOUP KITCHEN IN BYUREGHAVAN. SHE JOINED IN 2023.
VANADZOR OLD AGE HOME (VOAH)
In 2023, the Kevork and Sirvart Karamanuk Vanadzor Old Age Home (VOAH) continued to provide a home to 55 low-income elderly residents. Four of these residents were seniors who were displaced from Artsakh in 2023. They joined the other four Artsakh residents who moved to VOAH after the 2020 Artsakh War.
VOAH is a safe and supportive community where staff members foster the residents’ emotional and psychological well-being, provide access to the services they need, and preserve their quality of life.
People provided with hot daily meals 5 days a week
FAR Soup Kitchens
730
Low-income seniors lovingly supported in a safe environment
VOAH
55
SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM
By the Numbers
Mardigian Foundation
Nazarian Family Foundation
Nishan and Margrit Atinizian Family Foundation
Women’s Guild Central Council - CASP
Ararat and Sonya Hacet Foundation
Dadourian Foundation
Harold & Josephine Gulamerian Foundation
Kevork & Sirvart Karamanuk Foundation
Knights and Daughters of Vartan
Nazarian Family Foundation
Nishan and Margrit Atinizian Family Foundation
Women’s Guild Central Council - CASP
Kevork & Sirvart Karamanuk Foundation
Knights and Daughters of Vartan
Mardigian Foundation
Ararat and Sonya Hacet Foundation
Dadourian Foundation
Harold & Josephine Gulamerian Foundation