Community Small Group Homes named after Alice Dumoulin Izmirlian
Supporting children and youth with disabilities has become flagship projects of the Izmirlian Foundation aimed at addressing the various needs of one of the most vulnerable groups of society taking into account the emerging needs and the existing gaps in the system. Since 2004, the Izmirlian Foundation supports Marie Izmirlian Orphanage, which is home for around 115 children/youth with disabilities. The Foundation has continuously implemented various projects aimed at improving the living conditions, educational and other needs of the children/youth.
The Izmirlian Foundation, through its support of the Marie Izmirlian Orphanage (MIO), is cognizant of the need to support individuals having reached the age of 18 who are able to live in a more independent environment. These individuals have not only reached an age where they should move out of facilities such as the MIO, but also can greatly benefit from community small group homes. The Izmirlian Foundation has contacted the Government of Armenia to expand its highly successful partnership since 1998 with the Government of Armenia at the MIO. This program to establish community small group homes will be named after Alice Dumoulin Izmirlian, the sister of the Foundation founder Dikran Izmirlian.
In line with the Government’s strategy, The Izmirlian Foundation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, will launch the Project under the theme: “Supporting Graduates of Population Social Protection Institutions”. As noted, the Project’s primary objective is to ensure access to community small group homes, and necessary social care for graduates of population social protection institutions aged 18 and above who cannot reunite with their families due to various reasons and need regular support from a variety of specialists in the process of leading an independent life.
The goal of the project is to enhance access to quality community small group homes and social care for graduates of population social protection institutions.
The project specific objectives are:
Objective 1: Ensuring safe and adequate access to community small group homes for persons aged 18 and above residing in population social protection institutions.
Objective 2: Graduates of population social protection institutions aged 18 and above, residing in community small group homes provided improved access to health and social care services.
Objective 3: Enhancing attitude and perception change about graduates of population social protection institutions, including persons with disabilities, among community members in the settlements where the community small group homes will be established/operational.
Objective 4: Building independent living skills among beneficiaries.
The project direct beneficiaries are up to 160 persons aged 18 and above residing in population social protection institutions that cannot reunify with their families and need regular support by various specialists. Priority will be given to persons residing in Marie Izmirlian Orphanage.