Forever Homes for Abandoned Armenians

Dear friends,

When I was in Armenia this year, I traveled with the residents and staff to the town of Kapan, which is where some of our first group of residents were living before we opened.  We went to remember, to behold our beginnings in our hands, and to celebrate what has come to pass.  And there was so much to celebrate that we were not even on the lookout for anything else.  

But while we were there, we went to the orphanage where some of our residents had lived.  We thought it would be a simple visit, but while we were there, something happened. 

We gathered around to share chocolates, skits and songs with the orphans who live there.  We learned that they were destined for the institutions and had outgrown the orphanage.  We saw the need in their eyes, which has less to do with four walls and a roof over one’s head and more to do with love and peace and a forever home. 
And it happened.   

One of our staff members walked up to me and said, “We have to open another home.  Do you see these people?  We have so much to give them.”  

We have so much to give them, yes, and we have just as much to receive.  How profound it was to be invited by one of our staff into the next season of this work, to be the one who supports rather than initiates a second home.   This is what I have longed for—to see this movement take root in Armenian soil so that it lasts and lives beyond its humble beginnings.  

We have been planning and saving for the opening of our second home for some time, and when we saw these people face-to-face, we passed the point of no return.  You don’t plan for love.  You don't even plan for the possibility of love.  It just happens.  And then Love takes you by its hand and urges your forward surely and quickly.

(If you would like to read more, our annual report is attached.) 

Sincerely Yours,

Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri

• Annual Report (PDF)
  

Dear Donors and Friends, 

As the year comes to a close, we look back with gratitude at all that has unfolded in the past few months.  Our residents are participating in a theater production for the first time.  It has been such a joyful endeavor for them.

Some of our neighbors have begun trusting the residents enough to allow them to help watch their children. This is a deep honor and joy for our residents.

We were awarded some Armenian government funding for 2018 and while it seems like this will come to pass, we are still holding our breath. On a different note, thankfully, our five-year legal battle over our land and home has finally come to a close. Our property is safe and we have a new title in hand!

We also look forward with hope and joy. We plan to open a second home in 2018 for more orphans with disabilities from Kapan. That journey will allow all of us to experience, once again, the healing power of home, stability and love. In 2018, Lousine Stepanian (of the Armenian Mindfulness Project) and Bridget Brown (one of our founding board members) plan to visit Armenia in April.

Finally, we are blessed by so many friends and partners who are passionate about this next season of our work and have offered to walk with us in the formation, establishment and long-term sustenance of a second home. Our cup runs over. May you and yours be blessed with peace and joy this Christmas and holiday season. Thank you for keeping our home close to your heart. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our residents. Thank you for sharing in our stories and songs.

Sincerely Yours,

Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri
Founder & Executive Director

• Winter 2017 Newsletter (PDF)