Orran Usa Annual Fundraising Gala

The Orran USA Annual Fundraising Gala was held on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at the Vertigo Event Venue.

The event attracted hundreds of friends of the non-profit organization who support Orran’s humanitarian mission in Armenia. Noted singer, songwriter, producer and composer Serj Tankian was the special guest of the evening.

Orran, meaning "haven" in Armenian, is a benevolent non-profit organization 501(c)(3). Its mission is to divert children from the streets and engage them in academic, cultural, and extra-curricular activities; to fight the concept of beggar children as the principal breadwinners of their families; to identify and develop children's interests and talents toward a working career; to help families in crisis; and to assist the needy elderly.

To this end the children of Orran have the benefit of a nutritious meal, assistance with homework, medical and psychological help, and focused instruction in various practical skills, for use in the real world. The elderly, meanwhile, gather every day for a hot meal. Through Orran, they are brought into the arms of loving and devoted professionals, local and from the diaspora, working relentlessly to heal the wounds of suffering and indignity.

Orran opened its doors as a safe haven for children in Armenia in 2000. Founded by Armine and Raffi K. Hovanissian, Orran was envisioned as a sanctuary for our children whose life has reverted to begging and destitution. Orran`s mission is to provide support and education to convert the despair of these children into hope. Because of you, each day 205 children feel the warmth of embracing arms and caring hearts as they receive a hot meal, education, vocational training, health services, life skills and cultural programs all within a safe and loving environment. In addition, Orran assists over 90 seniors daily. The well-being of our children will determine Armenia`s economic, social and political strength and thus its progressive future. With your generosity, we can empower Orran`s children to achieve a happy and productive future. Let us give them wings to fly.

Since its establishment in the year 2000, Orran (meaning”haven” in Armenian) has grown from welcoming 16 children to embracing more than 55 elderly and 100 children a day in Yerevan and 35 elderly and 105 children in Vanadzor, To date, thousands of people have benefited from Orran`s services, made possible by the generous assistance of the friends of Orran.