“Armenian Caritas” was founded in 1995 by the Armenian Catholic Church with the extensive support from the Catholic Relief Services.
“Armenian Caritas,” which has ‘Benevolent NGO status’, focuses its efforts on social protection and health care of disadvantaged children, elderly people and people with disabilities; community-based development programs with the focus on social economy, environmental protection and resilience building; migration and integration activities aim at promoting sustainable integration measures for returnees, refugees and displaced population with the focus on socio-economic integration of the target groups.
Since the beginning of its activities, “Armenian Caritas” has provided direct assistance to thousands of people in 125 communities of Armenia.
“Promote personal multifold development and strengthening of communities with love and compassion, respecting the dignity of each individual” this is the mission which leads “Armenian Caritas.” The vision of “Armenian Caritas” is to be a strong and significant role player in consolidation of social justice and social protection in the Republic of Armenia.
Within the current Strategic Plan of Armenian Caritas, covering the span of 2022-2026, Armenian Caritas prioritizes the following Strategic Directions:
- Social Protection
- Migration and Integration
- Proportionate Community Development
- Resilience building
Along with provision of basic needs, care and development activities for the targeted groups, “Armenian Caritas” focuses its efforts on the advocacy actions and state social policy revisions striving to contribute to sustainable change.
Among flagship projects of “Armenian Caritas,” are: the homecare service model for the older people and participatory approach in the community development initiatives.
The main office of “Armenian Caritas” is located in Gyumri. The organization has the staff of about 238 and more than 80 volunteers.
“Armenian Caritas” continues to extend its services throughout Armenia and operates in the provinces of Shirak, Lori, Gegharkunik, Ararat, Syunik as well as Yerevan City. Within the reach of Emergency response activities Armenian Caritas implements projects also in Kotayk, Armavir and Tavush provinces.
Today, “Armenian Caritas” boasts a solid institutional base, with a clearly defined mission and vision, vast number of local and international partners. It maintains a strong potential for growth in order to serve its beneficiaries at an increasing capacity.
“Armenian Caritas” is a member of the Caritas Internationalis confederation and Caritas Europe, and international Caritas network of over 160 members that provides emergency aid and support to countries all around the world.
Mrs. Zevart Nadjarian is the initiating founder, consultant and Board member of “Armenian Caritas” benevolent NGO. Ground work activities for the establishment of a Caritas office in Armenia started in 1993 by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) after the closure of their office in Lebanon where Mrs. Nadjarian, Director of the office, was hired by CRS as consultant/trainer for the establishment of a Caritas office in Armenia. On October 6, 1994, Mrs. Nadjarian and Mr. Robert Quinlan from CRS Geneva visited the Armenian Catholic Ordinariate in Gyumri to assess the willingness of the Armenian Catholic Church to establish a Caritas and become engaged in relief and development activities, accept in-house technical assistance from CRS, use future resources to promote well-being of the poor and victimized in such a way that need, not creed, become the sole determinant for extending assistance. The Armenian Catholic Ordinariate, located in Gyumri, North Armenia, headed by His Excellency, Archbishop Nerses Ter Nerssian, and Vicar General, Msgr. Neshan Kara Keheyan thanked her for the efforts and promised to assist. Thus based on the report of Mrs. Nadjarian and Mr. Quinlan, on March 1995, a special meeting in Cyprus organized by CRS, endorsed the establishment of “Armenian Caritas.” And empowered Mrs. Nadjarian to implement the project.
The first two hires were Mr. Gagik Tarasyan and Mr. Samvel Gevorgyan who left for Lebanon and attended a workshop prepared and executed by Mrs. Nadjarian, then travelled to Cairo to participate at CRS/Caritas Middle Eas tand North Africa Management Sessions. Read More …>>