Mer Hooys Participants Graduate From High School; Girls Pursue Vocations And Advanced Education

The Mer Hooys program, operating out of the Nakashian Children’s Support Center in Yerevan, Armenia, is celebrating the high school graduation of 6 more participants. Of the 15 original girls who came to Mer Hooys from state institutions, boarding homes and seriously disadvantaged families, 12 have now graduated from high school.

 
All are pursuing vocations in line with their career goals, or university educations in a wide range of fields, including medicine, social work, pedagogy, business management, culinary arts, architecture, and design.
 
“As Mer Hooys completes its fourth year of operation, the program continues to achieve outstanding success in saving young women in Armenia from the risk of domestic violence, and guiding them into lives of fulfillment and self-sufficiency,” said Judge Adrienne Krikorian, Mer Hooys President. “Our graduates are respectful independent-thinking young women with strong academic foundations, and plans for vocations and careers to help ensure their ability to live independently or in a healthy family life.”
 
A few examples of the girls’ successes:
 
While having minimal English skills upon entering Mer Hooys, one girl recently passed her college entrance exams with almost a perfect score in English language, and was admitted to the Yerevan University of Economics.
 
Another recent graduate completed basic chef training and received her chef certificate. She hopes to open her own restaurant.
 
A former graduate is now starting to accept clients as part of her training as a psychologist, while using English language skills gained at Mer Hooys working part-time at a café.
 
Another former graduate is in medical school, and was selected as one of only a few students to participate in a medical exchange program in Estonia.
 
All the young women who have graduated and are pursuing their post-secondary education and careers continue to receive psychological, educational and career support from Mer Hooys staff, as needed.
 
Family Reunification 
 
Mer Hooys strives to reunify families, as appropriate. “The effectiveness of the structure, services and professionalism of the Mer Hooys program is evident in our success in helping our girls complete their educations, pursue advanced training, and reunite with families, when possible,” said Judge Krikorian.
 
Of the 15 girls who came to the Nakashian Center four years ago, 10 have already returned, or are in the process of returning, to live with their single parent. Most reunited families have received a year of intensive family counseling and guidance from Mer Hooys professional staff. These girls continue to stay in touch with program staff, their “sisters” at Mer Hooys and members of the U.S. Board of Directors, and they and their families receive counseling and support from staff when needed.

Transitional Program 

Mer Hooys also announced the launch of its new Transitional Program for the older teens and graduates with no family or suitable home to which they can return. Operating from a newly remodeled wing of the Nakashian Children’s Support Center, the Transitional Program offers practical tools to enable these girls to transition to independent and self-sufficient lives.
 
“Mer Hooys will not turn away any resident who has turned 18 and has no place to go. Our mission is to give them the tools to lead successful, safe independent lives,” Judge Krikorian emphasized. “The girls receive modest financial support from Mer Hooys, and personal support from our professional staff. Each girl is expected to give back to the Mer Hooys program by tutoring the younger girls.”

Mer Hooys Saves Lives 

Mer Hooys continues to achieve its mission of empowering young girls in Armenia ages 8 ½ to 22 from seriously disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing them with a safe home, comprehensive educational programs, tutoring, psychological counseling, life skills and job training, and, where possible, family counseling and reunification strategies. As the older girls graduate, Mer Hooys continues to admit younger girls to the program. And the graduates return regularly to the Nakashian Center, helping to guide and mentor the younger girls.

“Our graduates and our girls in residence have HOPE for their futures, and they know that, regardless of whether or not they have a suitable living parent, they have a Mer Hooys family that will ALWAYS be there for them,” said Judge Krikorian.
 

Mer Hooys continues to enjoy high regard in Armenia, and is a unique model for providing needed services to unwanted or underprivileged youth, teens and their families. The non-profit program operates efficiently and transparently, with many partners in the U.S. and Armenia. The U.S. -based board of directors spends only 5-10 percent of total annual income on administrative costs. A certified public accountant in the United States reviews the program’s financial records and prepares annual tax returns and reports.
 
 “Mer Hooys saves and transforms the lives of our girls, helping them to become self-assured young women with promising futures,” said Judge Krikorian. “Community support enables Mer Hooys to continue its vital work saving the lives of vulnerable girls in Armenia and giving them the chance for successful, safe, and happy futures.”
 
Consider becoming an annual sponsor of $5,000 or more, or making a generous donation. Please make your donation payable to House of Hope – Mer Hooys, Inc., and mail it to P.O. Box 8507, Calabasas, CA 91372-8507. You may also donate with a credit card or PayPal on our website at www.mer-hooys.org. All donations will be acknowledged. Visit our website for regular updates and to enjoy our Facebook feed.