Not for profit. Just for kids.
A Modern Day Folktale from Armenia, $10, plus S/H (around $9) and your state tax
A modern day Folktale From Armenia, is based on a true story. The Armenian proverb unites three best friends and one beautiful cow in the modern day folk tale about sharing, caring and responsibility. The book, for fifth and sixth graders, reminds us how small acts can change the world for the better. Written by Page McBrier and illustrated by Stefano Vitale.
Around this time two years ago, we received our last update on Rex from Yerevan. It had been six long months since we’d held him and a court date still was not in sight for us. Looking at these pictures then made me so sad, but seeing them today breaks my heart even more because I know Rex’s personality and expressions now and recognize the tremendous pain, loneliness and frustration he must have been feeling when these photos were taken.
Today, just two short years later, Rex ventured on his first field trip with his classmates, teachers, and a pack of parents at his side. Watching him enjoy the day, I couldn’t help but think of those photos of him in the pink turtleneck and struggled to hold back the tears. What a difference it has made for this wonderful boy that we found him, were entrusted with his care, and granted the privilege to call him our son.
Rex loved the hayride, especially when the trees made a roof over our wagon
Rex at Pioneer Village, building a fire and cooking
Enjoying the giant ball pit
Braving the super fast, long slide
This is the face of adoption, the face of a boy who is loved by his family, the face of a child receiving the best possible care for his medical and developmental needs, the face of happiness. This is the face that makes my heart sing every single day.
Glendale – Five Star Cinema
Beverly Hills – Laemmle Music Hall
Encino – Laemmle Town Center
Burbank – AMC Burbank
Fresno/Clovis – Sierra Vista 16
Boston – AMC Methuen
Detroit – AMC Forum
Philadelphia – AMC Hamilton 24
DC – AMC Rio
Something to Consider for your next Census 2020 Report
Date: 2010 US Census
Very soon you will receive a U.S. Census form in the mail, which is a simple questionnaire comprised of only ten questions (see sample and instructions attached to this e-mail). We encourage you to complete the form for your household, and mail it back by April 1, 2010. For the Georgians living in the United States, this is a once in a decade opportunity to ensure that your Georgian ethnic background is shown. Indication of your ethnic background this helps estimate the number of the Georgian population in the United States.
To indicate that your ethnic background is Georgian, please carefully answer question #9 on the Census Form – check "WHITE" and then "SOME OTHER RACE" and finally, write "GEORGIAN" in the last field. By doing so your Georgian identity will be recorded as a separate subcategory.
The United States Constitution obligates the Federal Government to conduct a census every 10 years. Information collected for the census will help to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. Furthermore, accurate data about the size of the Georgian-American community can be important to the Representatives, when they vote on issues that are very important to us, and to the U.S. foreign policy in regards to Georgia.
Collected data is also used to allocate the federal sum in the amount of $400 billion to improve living conditions of the residents of the country, and reconstruct and expand America’s transportation and social infrastructure, including hospitals, job training centers, public schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects and emergency services.
Please share this information with your extended family and friends, and urge them to participate in U.S. Census 2010. Thank you in advance.
The privacy of your personal information is protected under federal law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code).
This applies to Armenians as well.
A Hopscotch family welcomes their beautiful, one and only, daughter. Two amazing big brothers anxiously await her arrival home next week!
More Hopscotch family news to celebrate!! Another family officially registered to adopt their lovely (and very smart) daughter. This child waited 8 years in Armenia for a family to call her own… finally her family found her and we can’t wait for her to come home this summer.
Congratulations to our Hopscotch family!! The court granted their daughter’s Adoption Decree…. nothing is sweeter than holding your child’s adoption decree. The journey to your daughter officially started in July 2012. Fast forward 9 months to today – best day ever!
One very proud Mom asks… "How did I get so lucky?!?!" This photo captures a Hopscotch Happy Family.
Celebrating the engagement of our friend and staff person. Congratulations and best wishes to our dear friend!!!
Very early yesterday morning, a major fire broke out on the second floor of Mari Izmirlyan Orphanage. Mari Izmirlyan, located in Yerevan, houses approximately 100 special needs children. Thankfully, none of the children were hurt. While we are still receiving information about the extent of the fire and the needs of the orphanage going forward, we do know that the 42 children who occupied the second floor have been relocated.
Those who have read SOAR’s email blasts over the years may be familiar with my husband George Yacoubian’s writing style. However, with Sunday’s fire at Mari Izmirlyan, I felt compelled to write all of you. Some of you, like me, may not be Armenian. Others may be Armenian, but have not been to Armenia. Others may have visited Armenia, but not seen the orphanages. I presume only a small proportion of you have not only visited the country but also the orphan institutions within. For those in this group, I know you can understand what my words hope to convey.
My heart and mind start with the already devastating fact that these children do not know family the way many of us do. Already heartbreaking, I can’t shake what I have seen in the many trips we took to Armenia to visit our daughter while we waited for her to be able to come home – the cold cement walls, the caving ceilings, and the mildew-stained, broken down common bathrooms. That is why this news about the fire has left me significantly more heartbroken for these children. To lose what little they had is one thing. What’s even harder to imagine is the trauma these children endured – losing what little they had and not being able to seek comfort in a hug from their father or reassuring words from their mother. They can’t move in with family while repairs are made. There is no hotel to check into. They can’t count on repairs being made efficiently. I write this email blast to ask for any help you can provide, not just for the renovation of a building but also for the rejuvenation of their spirits. In addition to any tangible donation you consider, we welcome any guidance from those that have experience helping others through something like this, and of course, as many prayers as you can spare.
If you would like to assist Mari Izmirlyan Orphanage, online donations can be made through PayPal at http://soar-us.org/ (designate SOAR-National) or checks can be mailed to the above address. If you have any questions, please call us at 610.213.3452.
With all of our thanks,
Erica Carraro Yacoubian
