Mer Hooys Residents And Staff Welcome Primate Of Western Diocese And Pilgrims From Northern California

On June 9, 2017, sixty pilgrims from the United States, led by Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan from St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church of Oakland, Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash of St. John Armenian Apostolic Church of San Francisco, and accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Vartan Kasparian, visited the Nakashian Children’s Support Center in Yerevan.  They were greeted by Mer Hooys Board President Hon. Adrienne Krikorian, who was later joined by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Mer Hooys board members Dn. Dr. Varouj Altebarmakian and Dn. Dr. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, and Diocesan Council Chairman and newly elected member of the Supreme Spiritual Council Joseph Kanimian, Esq.

After watching a short video presentation about the Mer Hooys program, the pilgrims joined the children and all of the staff for a delicious lunch.  After lunch, the pilgrims received guided tours of the entire Center, presented by four 12-13 year olds, who received assistance in translation from Der Mesrop, Der Hovel and two English-speaking staff.  They had the chance to see first-hand how the program operates, thanks to presentations by the staff psychologist, staff social worker, and pedagogue.  They also enjoyed seeing art work from graduate Armine Arshakian-Vardanyyan, and her new husband Sooren Vardanyan. 

Following the tour, the pilgrims joined Archbishop Derderian and board members in celebrating the 5th anniversary of the dedication of the Center and opening of the program.  His Eminence spoke to the children and staff, commending their efforts, and congratulated the Board for the successful program that Mer Hooys has become.

Following dessert and a brandy toast, the pilgrims enjoyed musical performances by the girls, who escorted them from the Center with traditional Armenian dances.  Many of the pilgrims voiced their amazement at the breadth and success of the program, acknowledging that “seeing is believing.”  Many had heard about the program but did not have any sense of the magnitude or success of its outreach to save children from poor families from life on the streets.

Because of the generosity of the pilgrims, individually and as a group, their donations will go in part to purchase 5-6 much-needed large white boards for classrooms, the playroom, and the psychology center, wall coverings for the dining hall to reduce acoustic interference and toys for the playroom.  Toys and clothing donated by the pilgrims will be given to the children when school starts and as part of their Christmas gifts.

The Mer Hooys Board of Directors thanks His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian for his continued dedication and support of Mer Hooys.  The Board also thanks the pilgrims who made the day very exciting day for the children and staff.  This was the largest group of visitors to the Center since its opening. The hospitality, joy and affection shown by the residents for their guests was a tribute to the talented staff who have, in a relatively short time, brought these children from the dismal lifestyles in which they lived before coming to Mer Hooys, to lives of hope, healthy family, education, and love. 

House of Hope - Mer Hooys, Inc. is an independent 501c3 non-profit corporation, operating under the auspices of the Western Diocese.  Although formed as a legal institution of Etchmiadzin in Armenia, the U.S. board receives and manages all monetary donations and requires fiscal accountability from the program staff in Armenia.  Mother See has provided the Nakashian Children’s Support Center to the Mer Hooys program rent-free.  Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Visit www.mer-hooys.org for more information and to donate.  Donations made through the Western Diocese should note “Mer Hooys” on the memo line.