Friends of Warm Hearth, Inc.

Mission

Friends of Warm Hearth provides an alternative to the psychiatric institutions in Armenia for orphans with disabilities. We have group homes where our residents can have a safe and quality life in their community. We believe and fight for our residents’ rights to live a meaningful and peaceful life.

Programs

Art Therapy Program Group Home/Supported Living Vocational/Occupational Rehabilitation Independent Life Skills Equal Rights & Full Inclusion Social/Community Integration Recreational/Sport Therapy

Current Projects on GlobalGiving

Group Homes for Armenian Orphans with Disabilities

Personnel Overview

Natalie Rizzieri - Founder, Executive Director
Former Armenia Peace Corps volunteer, Natalie worked closely with the initial residents of Warm Hearth. The idea for Warm Hearth originated out of the needs of the orphans with special needs who were destined for the government-run psychiatric institutions. Currently Natalie lives in the U.S. and makes frequent trips to Armenia.

Alya Kirakosyan - Country Director
Alya is fiercely dedicated to seeing this work expand, deepen & become sustainable. She’s committed to Warm Hearth as a model with potential to multiply in Armenia. Equally significant, she is dedicated to our residents on an individual level. Alya has a background in Sociology. She has worked for Warm Hearth since 2005. She is married and has two daughters.

Anahit Iskandarova - Mental Health Specialist
Anahit studied psychology at Yerevan State Pedagogical Institute. After graduating she entered Yerevan State University to further her study of Psychology. She has worked as a teacher & psychologist with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Belgium. She continues to work as a psychologist-social worker. Her background and experience is primarily working with people with mental health disorders.

Personnel Statistics

Natalie Bryant Rizzieri,
Founder, Executive Director
Founded in 2005
Employees: 13
Volunteers: 45

Financial Statistics

Budget (2008): $ 140,000
Budget (2007): $ 77,165
Maximum Budget: $ 160,000
Overhead: 11 %
Other funding sources: Individuals and organizations that donate directly to Friends of Warm Hearth
Religious Affiliation: N/A