Group Homes for Armenian Orphans with Disabilities

387 Donations from 222 Donors:

Project Personnel

Natalie Rizzieri - Founder, Executive Director

Former Armenia Peace Corps volunteer, Natalie worked closely with the initial residents of Warm Hearth. The idea for Warm Hearth originated out of the needs of the orphans with special needs who were destined for the government-run psychiatric institutions. Currently Natalie lives in the U.S. and makes frequent trips to Armenia.

Alya Kirakosyan - Country Director

Alya is fiercely dedicated to seeing this work expand, deepen & become sustainable. She’s committed to Warm Hearth as a model with potential to multiply in Armenia. Equally significant, she is dedicated to our residents on an individual level. Alya has a background in Sociology. She has worked for Warm Hearth since 2005. She is married and has two daughters.

Anahit Iskandarova - Mental Health Specialist

Anahit studied psychology at Yerevan State Pedagogical Institute. After graduating she entered Yerevan State University to further her study of Psychology. She has worked as a teacher & psychologist with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Belgium. She continues to work as a psychologist-social worker. Her background and experience is primarily working with people with mental health disorders.