Santa Monica College ASA On October 27, 2026, Lorik Humanitarian Fund founder Shunt Jarchafjian visited Santa Monica College for a presentation organized by the college's newly established Armenian Students Association. The gathering provided an opportunity to share firsthand experiences from Artsakh, discuss the consequences of the forced displacement of its Armenian population, and introduce students to Lorik's ongoing humanitarian work. We extend our sincere thanks to the

Earlier this month, Lorik Humanitarian Fund visited St. John Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco to share updates on our humanitarian work and express our gratitude to the parish community for its generous support of families forcibly displaced from Artsakh. Following Sunday Divine Liturgy, Lorik founder Shunt gave a presentation to parishioners about the organization's ongoing programs, including housing assistance, educational scholarships, small business development

Lorik Humanitarian Fund has begun distributing scholarships for the new academic year through the Aznavour Saghyan Scholarship Fund, continuing its commitment to supporting students forcibly displaced from Artsakh. So far this academic year, six students have received scholarships totaling $5,924, including three children of fallen Armenian soldiers. These scholarships provide direct financial assistance to students pursuing higher education while their families continue rebu

28 Students received their Kimonos Lorik Humanitarian Fund's Judo on the Border program is officially underway in Bertavan, a village along Armenia's northeastern border in the Tavush region. Under the guidance of instructor Sose Balasanyan, a judoka from Artsakh, children are now participating in regular judo classes, developing discipline, confidence, physical strength, and teamwork. To help launch the program, Lorik has purchased and distributed 28 judo uniforms (judogi) t

For months, children at Lorik Humanitarian Fund's Artsakh Tsil Arts Studio in Gyumri have been learning the traditional Armenian art of khachkar (cross-stone) making. This summer, we also brought that experience to children in villages across Armenia as part of Tsil Studio's traveling arts program. Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Narine Poladian, a master khachkar carver, to our studio in Gyumri. Originally from Lebanon, Narine repatriated to Armenia in 2018. Today

In Bertavan, a small village in Armenia’s Tavush region near the borders with Azerbaijan and Georgia, a new opportunity is opening for local children: judo classes right in their community. Lorik Humanitarian Fund is working to fund the program for its first full year, giving children in this border community a place to train, stay active, develop discipline and build confidence. Meet Our Instructor, Sose Balasanyan Sose Balasanyan is an accomplished judoka and sambo athlete

Lorik Humanitarian Fund has completed its first round of Small Business Development Grants, awarding 23 grants totaling $31,727.07 to families forcibly displaced from Artsakh. The grants put real resources directly into people’s hands: 60+ beehives, more than 700 chickens, 15 mother rabbits, bakery equipment, professional tools, business equipment and training. What the 23 Grants Actually Funded Beekeeping, 2 grants Two families received support to establish or expand beekeep

How a simple community gathering in Southern California can reach all the way to children in Armenia’s remote villages. On a summer afternoon in June, a group of friends gathered in Southern California to learn something new, how to prepare sourdough. The workshop, hosted by Peggy Ishkhanian, was also an opportunity to come together for a cause close to her heart. By the end of the gathering, Peggy and her friends had raised $4,000 for Lorik Humanitarian Fund. Peggy Ishkhany