Dear Mer Doon friend and supporter, Where can vulnerable teenage girls go when they have aged out of the orphanage system in Armenia? Who is going to prevent them from falling through the cracks and ending up on the streets, or, worse, enslaved in human and sex trafficking? Since 2006, Mer Doon has answered this serious need for intervention for at-risk young women in Armenia. For many of them, Mer Doon is more than a safe haven; it’s the first family they have ever known. Mer Doon works to break a frightening cycle for girls who lack support networks: homelessness, substance abuse, violence, trafficking, and crime. Our program offers higher education, job and internship placement, life skills training, and guidance on how to live independently. You are receiving this packet because we know you understand the intrinsic value and enormous need for a program like Mer Doon. Your gift can help us give underprivileged teenage girls healthy transitions into adulthood. This year marks our 10th anniversary! We have set an ambitious, but attainable goal to raise $250,000 by the year’s end. Please help us serve Armenia’s most vulnerable population - orphaned and disadvantaged girls - by opening your heart and giving your generous support to Mer Doon. Sincerely,
Stephen Ashekian Stephen Ashekian Chairman, U.S. Board of Directors Mer Doon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the State of California (Tax Id. 20-2383398). Mer Doon is also a registered nongovernmental organization in the Republic of Armenia.
In Armenia: Mer Doon | Zoravor Andraniki Str 13 | Echmiadzin, Republic of Armenia In the U.S.: Mer Doon, Inc. | 561 Avenida del Verdor | San Clemente, CA 92672 merdoonarmenia@gmail.com | www.mer-doon.com
We are a Home for Those Who Have None Our mission is to help orphaned and disadvantaged young women in Armenia break the cycle of dependency by providing educa:on, job training, and a loving, family environment, while ins:lling leadership skills and teaching self-sufficiency.
EDUCATION
Educa:on is Mer Doon’s top priority! We provide a college educa:on to each of our residents. This support includes tui:on, books, and school supplies. We also teach trade skills like tradi:onal handcraTs. We plan many extracurricular ac:vi:es, special events, and educa:onal field trips.
EMPOWERMENT
We know that at-risk, young women in Armenia are vulnerable to trafficking and abuse. They need to be taught strength, self-awareness, and confidence. We teach our girls to raise their voices against oppression, abuse, and gender inequality. Mer Doon provides a safe, trusted place to grow.
LIFE SKILLS
At Mer Doon, there is always an opportunity for learning. We teach our girls many important skills, including religious educa:on, computer literacy, Russian, English, and foreign language lessons, cooking, housekeeping, gardening, social behavior and e:queWe, personal hygiene, Armenian history and culture, dance, music, and so much more!
INDEPENDENCE
Our goal is to ins:ll a strong sense of independence in the girls who come to Mer Doon. We accomplish this through our Job & Internship Program, giving each resident the opportunity to obtain meaningful experience in her chosen field of interest. We also teach the important skills needed to live both independently and within a family unit. To donate, please visit www.mer-doon.com and click “Donate.” Mer Doon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organiza:on and a registered NGO in the Republic of Armenia.
MER DOON HISTORY Founded in 2005 by Julie Ashekian and Tigranuhi Karapetyan, Mer Doon answers the serious need for interven:on for girls who have aged out of the orphanage system or are atrisk young adults. Mer Doon opened its home in Echmiadzin, Armenia in 2006. For many of these girls, Mer Doon is the first family they have ever known.
OUR PARTNERS Mer Doon is honored to work with many suppor:ve partners, including:
• • • • • •
Fund for Armenian Relief U.S. Embassy City of Echmiadzin Gavar Orphanage Vanadzor Orphanage SOAR (Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief)
ARMENIA CONTACT Mer Doon Tigranuhi Karapetyan, Director Zoravar Andraniki Str. 13 Echmiadzin, Republic of Armenia :granoohi@yahoo.com Tel: + (374) 231 05 20 09
U.S CONTACT Our Home-Mer Doon, Inc. c/o Dr. Jane L. Mahakian, President 561 Avenida del Verdor San Clemente, CA 92672 USA merdoonarmenia@gmail.com
Human trafficking Isn’t pretty.
A Global Epidemic
• An es&mated 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked across interna&onal borders every year. • 80% are women and girls; 50% are children. • Human trafficking generates more than $32 billion per year, making it the 3rd largest interna&onal crime industry.
A Crisis in Armenia
• Poverty is the primary cause of trafficking in Armenia. Since Armenia has experienced a rela&vely stable government in the past 5 years, tourism has increased. According to the Jus&ce for Youth, this safe environment has made Armenia a des&na&on for the sex trade. • Armenian President Serge Sarkisyan recently signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to jointly fight against trafficking, illegal purchase and sale of drugs, illegal immigra&on, and terrorism.
Mer Doon‘s IntervenGon
• Mer Doon is the only organiza&on in Armenia that provides a home for girls who have aged out of the orphanage system and have no place to go. • Mer Doon understands that at-risk girls in Armenia are vulnerable to trafficking and abuse. They need to be taught strength, selfawareness, and confidence. • We provide a solid academic educaGon as well as ongoing and comprehensive life skills training to prepare our residents to live safe and successful lives as independent women.
merdoonarmenia@gmail.com | www.mer-doon.com
Mer Doon is a home where orphaned and disadvantaged young women can cure their souls and be surrounded by faith, hope, and love.
Zoravar Andraniki Str 13 Echmiadzin, Republic of Armenia Phone: +(374 231) 5 20 09 Fax: +(374 231) 4 90 41
«Մեր տունը» վայր է, որտեղ ծնողազուրկ և անապահով երիտասարդ կանայք կարող են ամոքել իրենց հոգիները և շրջապատված լինել հավատով, հուսով և սիրով:
merdoonarmenia@gmail.com www.mer-doon.com
Մեր Տուն We are a home for those who have none
Our Home – Mer Doon, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. U.S. Tax Id. 20-2383398. Mer Doon is also a registered nongovernmental organization in the Republic of Armenia.
MY GIFT
Please find enclosed my contribution for general, undesignated support for Mer Doon, Inc. q $1,000 q $500 q $250 q $100 q $50 q Other, please specify $ _______________________ PAYMENT INFORMATION q I am including a check payable to “Mer Doon, Inc.” Check no. ___________________ Charge my credit card: q Mastercard q Visa q American Express q Discover Name on Card
Mer Doon, “Our Home,” was founded in Armenia in 2005 by the late Julie Ashekian and Tigranuhi Karapetyan. Our mission is to help orphaned and disadvantaged young women (ages 18-24) break the cycle of dependency by providing education, job training, and a loving, family environment, while instilling leadership skills and teaching self-sufficiency. For some of our residents, Mer Doon is the first family they have ever known.
‹‹Մեր Տունը›› Հայաստանում հիմնադրվել է 2005թ.-ին լուսահոգի Ջուլի Աշեկյանի և Տիգրանուհի Կարապետյանի կողմից: Մեր առաքելությունն է աջակցել ծնողազուրկ և անապահով կյանք ունեցող երիտասարդ կանանց (18-24 տարեկան) կոտրել կախվածության շրջանակը՝ նրանց ապահովելով կրթությամբ, աշխատանքային դասընթացներով և սիրող ընտանեկան միջավայրով՝ միևնույն ժամանակ նրանց մեջ սերմանելով առաջնորդության հմտություններ և ինքնաբավություն: Մեր բնակիչներից շատերի համար ‹‹Մեր Տունը›› առաջին ընտանիքն է, որ նրանք երբևէ ունեցել են:
Each resident is required to receive a college education and develop professional skills. Mer Doon’s Job & Internship Program provides its residents with experience in a work environment to teach important skills for permanent employment. The girls also receive broad extracurricular instruction. Mer Doon offers classes in foreign languages, computer literacy, religion, Armenian history and culture, family traditions, mental health, housekeeping, cooking, trade skills, gardening, hygiene, sex education, drug addiction, trafficking, etiquette, social behavior, and much more. Mer Doon fully supports its residents, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, tuition and school expenses, medical and dental expenses, and daily personal needs.
Յուրաքանչյուր բնակիչ ստանում է բուհական կրթություն և զարգացնում մասնագիտական հմտություններ: «Մեր տան» «Աշխատանք և պրակտիկա» ծրագիրը իր բնակիչներին ապահովում է փորձառությամբ աշխատանքային միջավայրում՝ մշտական աշխատանքի համար հմտություններ սովորեցնելով: Աղջիկները նաև ստանում են լայն արտադասարանային ուսում: «Մեր տունը» առաջարկում է օտար լեզուների, համակարգչային հմտությունների, կրոնի, հայոց պատմության և մշակույթի, ընտանեկան ավանդույթների, մտավոր առողջության, խոհարարության, առևտրային հմտությունների, այգեգործության, հիգիենայի, սեռական կրթության, Էթիկետի, սոցիալապես ընդունված վարքագծի ձևավորման դասընթացներ, կատարում է թմրամոլության և թրաֆիքինգի մասին իրազեկում և այլն: «Մեր տունը» ապահովում է իր բնակիչներին, բայց չի սահմանափակվում միայն սննդի, հագուստի, ուսման և դպրոցական ծախսերի, բժշկական և ատամնաբուժական ծախսերի և ամենօրյա անձնական կարիքները հոգալու հարցում:
Mer Doon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the U.S. and a registered nongovernmental organization in the Republic of Armenia. Our Board of Directors, based in both Armenia and the U.S., work together to advance the organization’s mission. Mer Doon is a safe, trusted, and nurturing place for vulnerable young women to call home.
‹‹Մեր Տունը›› գրանցված է որպես 501(c)(3) շահույթ չհետապնդող կազմակերություն ԱՄՆ-ում և որպես հասարակական կազմակերպություն Հայաստանի Հանրապետությունում: Մեր հոգաբարձուների խորհուրդը, որը հիմնված է և՛ Հայաստանում և՛ ԱՄՆում, աշխատում է միահամուռ ուժերով` նպաստելով կազմակերպության առաքելության զարգացմանը: Երիտասարդ խոցելի կանանց համար ‹‹Մեր Տունը›› ապահով, վստահելի և դաստիարակող վայր է, որը նրանք կարող են տուն անվանել:
Card Number Expiration Date
Verification Code
Signature DONOR INFORMATION Please enter your name exactly as it should appear when your gift is acknowledged. q I would like to remain anonymous Donor Name(s) Address City State Zip Home Phone Cell Phone Email Our Home-Mer Doon, Inc. c/o Dr. Jane L. Mahakian, President 561 Avenida del Verdor San Clemente, California, USA, 92672
MY GIFT
In celebraLon of Mer Doon’s 10th anniversary, I have enclosed my contribuLon for general, undesignated support to Mer Doon, Inc. ☐ $10,000 ☐ $5,000 ☐ $2,500 ☐ Other, please specify $ _________________
☐ $1,000
☐ $500
PAYMENT INFORMATION
☐ I am including a check payable to “Mer Doon, Inc.” Check no. ______________________
Charge my credit card: ☐ Mastercard ☐ Visa
☐ American Express
☐ Discover
________________________________________________________________________ Name on Card ________________________________________________________________________ Card Number ________________________________________________________________________ ExpiraLon Date VerificaLon Code ________________________________________________________________________ Signature
DONOR INFORMATION
Please enter your name exactly as it should appear when your giQ is acknowledged.
________________________________________________________________________ Donor Name (s) ________________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip ________________________________________________________________________ Cell Phone Email Address ☐ I would like to remain anonymous.
Please mail this form with payment to: Our Home-Mer Doon, Inc. c/o Dr. Jane L. Mahakian, President 561 Avenida del Verdor San Clemente, CA 92672 USA
For informaLon, please email us at merdoonarmenia@gmail.com. US Tax Id. 20-2383398
SECRETARY OF THE STATE 30 TRINITY STREET P.O. BOX 150470 HARTFORD, CT 06115-0470 8/31/2007 OUR HOME MER-DOON 84 ELLSWORTH BLVD KENSINGTON, CT 06037
RE: Acceptance of Business Filing This letter is to confirm the acceptance of the following business filing: Business Name: OUR HOME-MER DOON, INC. Work Order Number Filing Date/Time Work Order Payment Total Credit on Account Business Id
Type of Request: REPORT (2007)
: 2007210999-001 : 08/28/2007 08:30 AM : $25.00 : $0.00 : 0830273
Business Filing Number Effective Date/Time Payment Received Customer Id
: 0003527371 : : $25.00 : 001396657
If you would like copies of this filing, you must complete a Request for Corporate Copies and submit it with the appropriate fee. DOCUMENT REVIEW STAFF 5 Commercial Recording Division 860-509-6003 www.concord.sots.ct.gov