ABOUT MER DOON

Mer Doon (“Our Home”) NGO, established in 2005, opened its first home in Etchmiadzin, Armenia in October 2006. Mer Doon provides a family environment for young adults in Armenia who have outgrown their childhood home in Armenian orphanages, or who come from seriously disadvantaged lifestyles.   Because of Mer Doon, these young adults have now been given the opportunity to become productive members of Armenian Society, instead of being forced to live far more devastating lives on the streets and in less than honorable vocations.

The first facility, located near the Holy See of the Armenian Church, has the capacity to provide a home for up to fourteen young adults, and is currently providing a full-time family environment for the first time in the lives of 10 young women.  Each young woman is required to further their education; each is pursuing a skill or vocation that will enable them to enter the Armenian work force.  In addition, the residents receive a religious education, learn French, Russian and English languages in-house, and are trained by staff in personal and social skills. 

In an effort to give back to society, the residents visit regional orphanages, returning to their childhood homes, and interact with the children to show them that hope for the future exists.  Local educators, government officials, and representatives of the Church regularly visit Mer Doon and provide assistance and support.   Operating costs include food, clothing, utilities, on-site staff and educational supplies, maintenance, transportation, and related expenses.

Our Home – Mer Doon, Inc. is the United States fund-raising support organization for Mer Doon NGO. Its Board of Directors is bi-coastal, and consists of leaders of the Armenian Community who are committed to bringing a brighter future to young adults in Armenia.  In addition to fund-raising, the Board provides oversight and direction to the staff and program directors in Armenia, and is currently working on long-range planning for the future growth of the program.

MER DOON BOARD MEMBERS

U.S. BOARD

Julie Ashekian — President (Kensington, Connecticut)

Julie Ashekian's work with orphans began shortly after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia.  She served as National Coordinator of Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) from 1992-2003, when numerous construction and renovation projects were accomplished under her guidance. During her tenure with CASP, the needs of more than 9000 orphans were addressed.  Ms. Ashekian founded Mer Doon along with Armenia based co-founder Tigranoohi Karapetian and serves as a U.S. Board liaison for the program.  In addition to considering the thousands of orphans in Armenia as her own family, Ms. Ashekian is a mother of a son and daughter, and is a grandmother.

Clement Ashekian — Secretary/Treasurer (Kensington, Connecticut)

Upon his retirement from IBM in 1991 as a Computer Systems Engineer, Clement Ashekian assumed the volunteer position as administrative director of CASP, along with his wife Julie.  He has served the Armenian Church as a leader on both the Parish and Diocesan levels.

Robert Karanian, Esq. — Advisor (New Britain, Connecticut)

Robert Karanian is an attorney in New Britain, Connecticut.  In addition to serving as an advisor on the U.S. Board, Mr. Karanian assisted Julie and Clement Ashekian in the original formation of the U.S. corporation and obtaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

Tanya Paretchan — Advisor (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Tanya Paretchan, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduated from Philadelphia College of Art.  She is the owner and president of “Three Trees Fine Art and Custom Framing.” Ms Paretchan was an art teacher at the local Armenian Sisters Academy and additionally taught pre-school and nursery at Holy Trinity Armenian Church Sunday School in Cheltenham, Pa. She is actively involved in the local Armenian community and in her parish.  Ms. Paretchan contributes her artistic and business skills to the Mer Doon Board of Directors, coordinating the design and development of the Mer Doon logo, website and publicity materials.  She also serves as a liaison with the program directors and NGO Board in Armenia.
Jane Mahakian, PhD – Secretary (San Clemente, California)

Dr. Jane L. Mahakian — Advisor(San Francisco, California)

Dr. Jane L. Mahakianis President of Aging Matters, Inc, a geriatric care management company that specializes in working with older adults with dementia and their families. Dr. Mahakian has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She conducts evaluations, develops care plans and implements these plans to optimize the life of the person with dementia. She has offices in San Francisco, San Mateo and Orange County. Dr. Mahakian was the previous director and adjunct researcher of Elder Care Programs at the Institute for Health and Aging at the University of California, San Francisco from 1990-1997. She is founder of the Cognitive Impairment Resource Council of Orange County and is a board member of the Armenian Eyecare Project. She spent one year studying at the University of Yerevan in 1982.

Garo Garibian, M.D. – Advisor (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Dr. Garo Garibian, M.D., received his undergraduate degree at Princeton University and his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania. He has a busy Cardiology practice in Philadelphia and is the chief of Cardiology at Jeanes Hospital. Dr. Garibian, ordained as a deacon in 1989, has devoted his life to service in the Armenian Church on the Parish and Diocesan level. After the devastating 1988 earthquake, Dr. Garibian visited Armenia numerous times bringing medicines and supplies, acting as an ambassador for the motherland. Dr. Garibian served on the Board of and is a benefactor of Our Home-Mer Hooys, Inc.; he is also a benefactor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and numerous other charitable organizations in the United States. Dr. Garibian is a founder of Mer Hooys.

ARMENIA NGO BOARD

Tigranoohi Karapetian — President (Armenia)

Tigranoohi Karapetian is a graduate of Armenia’s state art college.  She has spent much of her adult life serving as a director of youth events, including heading the youth sector of the city of Spitak. From 1993 until 2006, Ms. Karapetian, who is married and has two children, worked in the CASP program, alongside Mer-Doon co-founder Julie Ashekian.

Angela Movsesyan — Executive Director (Armenia)

Angela Movsesyan is a graduate of Moscow Peoples Friendship University.  She is a historian and translator of French language.  From 1997-2003 she taught history at Etchmiadzin’s Secondary School Number 2.  From 2000-2002 she was the regional educational coordinator for the U.S. State Department’s “Project Harmony” program.  From 2002-2005 she served as the head of the Department of Information and Analysis of Etchmiadzin Municipality.  In addition to serving as Executive Director of Mer Doon, she teaches the Mer Doon residents English and French language.

Stepan Karapetian — Advisor (Armenia)

Mr. Karapetian was a director and co-founder of CASP, along with Mrs. Ashekian.

Nikolay Nalbandyan — Advisor (Armenia)

Mr. Nalbandian is the director of the Gavar orphanage in the Gavar district of Armenia.

Ruben Chobanian — Ministry of Urban Development (Armenia)

Mr. Chobanian is a chief specialist of the Ministry of Urban Construction in Etchmiadzin.

Gagik Manukian — Advisor (Armenia)

Mr. Manukian is a general contractor and was responsible for completing construction of the first Mer Doon residence in Etchmiadzin.