Jinishian JOTTINGS ...from poverty and despair to self-sufficiency and hope through relief, development and spiritual uplift. pcusa.org/jinishian • 2017 Annual Gratitude Report • Jinishian Memorial Program 2017 ANNUAL GRATITUDE REPORT From the vulnerable child to the Funding global mission most courageous survivor, God is lifting All gifts to JMP go directly to fund up the afflicted. Growing numbers relief, development and spiritual uplift of you are investing in the Jinishian projects in seven countries across Memorial Program (JMP), showing the Middle East and South Caucasus. those who struggle in Armenia and the Advised by Apostolic, Catholic and Middle East that they are not alone. Evangelical board members, JMP Because your support is so vital, we has served millions through 100 gratefully share these stories and percent local missions since 1966. reports from 2017 with you. Administrative costs averaged 16 percent. Audited financial statements are available on our website or by request. Eliza Minasyan, executive director Jinishian Memorial Program Priorities are based on needs generosity, program budgets in Syria, Medical and humanitarian aid Lebanon and Armenia could suffer cuts brought healing and hope to a more when they need us most. peaceful Syria (see page 6). We are developing Armenia’s economic future Gifts are growing by investing in young entrepreneurs Thanks to all who responded to (page 2). In Beirut, medical services this need, total annual U.S. donations expanded again, and proud homeowners increased 78 percent over the previous U.S. Contributions by Country: $1.04 million overcame the odds (page 4). Total direct year. The average gift doubled to $538 Armenia 47% beneficiaries in 2017 numbered over from diverse individuals, churches Lebanon 30% Syria 16% 70,000 souls. and organizations across 21 states. Jerusalem 4% Presbyterians, along with Apostolic, Istanbul 3% Donors make our work possible Catholic and Evangelical Christians, Gifts received in our office go are equally involved. International directly to fund programs with only partners include World Vision, the JMP U.S. Advisory Committee 5 percent toward cost recovery. This Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the and Governance Commission ministry began thanks to the vision European Union and many average Victoria Chopourian Gehrt, chair of Vartan Jinishian 50 years ago, citizens from Aleppo to Istanbul. Michael Haratunian but endowment dividends provided Mark Momjian only two-thirds of country program Lacey Gilliam operations in 2017. Without your Rev. Philip Woods Jin 17 Annual Report.indd 1 5/21/18 3:05 PM o Mem rial P n ro ia g h ra is m n i JMP ARMENIA UPDATE J JMP jinishian.org In the face of a history marked by Christian roots, has tremendous become donors as well. by genocide, the Jinishian Memorial potential to grow. That’s why 90 percent Ultimately, renewal is God’s work Foundation (JMF) in Armenia is on a of Jinishian projects are designed to — from the rural pastor to the middle mission for the dignity of God’s people. promote long-term, sustainable change. school debate club and the budding local And in the wreckage of communist This success is made possible by industry. In 2017 JMF reached more collapse, JMF is generating creative, generous donors. International partners than 60,000 beneficiaries by identifying high-impact projects to boost economic fund 29 percent of the budget. Even needs across the country and uniting independence. Armenia, surrounded many locals who see the excellence diverse grassroots leaders to meet them. by Muslim nations but strengthened and integrity of the programs firsthand Training a new generation of leaders Although he was born in the harsh JMF has developed a nationwide post-Soviet years when food, fuel and strategy to empower young leaders, other resources were scarce, Sargis equipping them to participate in a developed expertise in electronics healthy democracy and to improve and had a dream to train others. With the socioeconomic conditions of their Jinishian support, he and three friends country. enlisted other municipal stakeholders Through the Civic Dialogue and and designed a STEM program for Action for Change project, university dozens of disadvantaged youth, including students research and analyze issues programming, labs twice a week and around human rights, the environment individual projects. After a strong start and economic stability. Then, they Humanitarian Voluntary Project of the with JMF, they have plans to continue craft proposals and earn small grants Year. and have already recruited a new group to confront problems in their own Having already completed school of kids, including many from a local communities. One group of students and military service, Sargis participated orphanage. provided tutoring for chronically ill in another JMF program for visionary children in the hospital and won Best young adults: Youth in Action for Change. Young entrepreneurs are taking off Today, JMF is coaching 22 young International Network and to fund Nearly three-quarters of Armenia’s entrepreneurs to help them face expansion of the project to help more population are under the age of 30 — challenges in their businesses while budding business owners realize their their talent and enthusiasm an untapped making low-interest funding available dreams. resource. With the scarcity of jobs for up to five years. This long-term and struggles of generational poverty, technical support while they strengthen especially outside the capital city, many their position in the marketplace is promising young adults emigrate to other unprecedented. The formula is paying countries seeking better opportunities. off: the new business accounts are JMF piloted the Youth Business the best performers in their funder’s Project for underserved youth in the portfolio. For those who were otherwise remote regions of Lori and Gegharkunik. ineligible for any loan, the success is a Given proper technical support and access remarkable turning point, and the young to startup capital to launch and grow entrepreneurs are deeply grateful for the In the Gavar, Gegharkunik region of Armenia, a their own small businesses, otherwise opportunity to stand on their own feet. young family runs a fruitful greenhouse business, unmotivated youth are creating value for Presently, JMF is seeking to become thanks to a microloan and mentorship through JMP. their families and communities. a member of the Youth Business 2 | 2017 Annual Report Jin 17 Annual Report.indd 2 5/21/18 3:05 PM Overview of Work Funded in 2017 Civil Society and Education Economic Development Armenia Advisory Board Youth Engaged in Society (110 school Microlending support to farmers Father Barouyr Avetisyan debate clubs) Microlending support to small Rev. Albert Paytyan Civic Dialogue and Action for Change businesses Sister Arousiag Sajonyan (seven universities) Emergency Syrian refugee housing Youth in Action for Change projects assistance Mission Staff impact the environment, human Youth business development Armen Hakobyan, director rights, economic stability (Vanadzor, Engineering lab and IT education center Liana Sargsyan Gyumri and Gavar) (Stepanavan) Zaruhi Sahakyan Debate-Discuss-Change university Quick Start Project for youth Ashot Aslikyan debate clubs (Yerevan city, Vanadzor, employment (Gyumri) Ruben Krikyan Gyumri and Gavar) Zaruhi Janibekyan Health Outreach Gevorg Abovyan Community Development Grants Rehabilitation clinic development Zaruhi Hambardzumyan Village beekeeping development (Odzun, (Stepanakert, Artsakh) Anahit Galikyan Geghakar and Aragva, Georgia) Autism and cerebral palsy day care Sirvard Chakhchakhyan Playground restoration (Hayordats Tun center (Artsakh) Anush Bagratunyan center, Yerevan) Affordable online medical services Hasmik Sevumyan Cultural center renovation (Aralez (Tsovak, Vardenis region) Emma Ghazaryan village) Thyroid health improvement, raising Harutyun Gharibjanyan Street-lighting (Jrashen village) awareness of current research Gurgen Petrosyan Vardenis Development Initiative grants (nationwide) Gayane Aghayan mobilize 24 rural communities: Children’s wellness, school nurse • Entertainment and self-education training (Yerevan, Armenia) International Partners club (Lusakunq) European Union • Cultural house renovation and water Armenia Program Distributions $513,214 World Vision Armenia pipeline (Arpunq) Civil society 31% Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation • Heating solutions (Shatjrek) Education 31% Karagheusian Foundation • “Creative Daily Life” (Norakert) Health 15% Armenian Medical Fund • “Cultural Revival” (Tsapatagh) Community development 13% CARD Microfinance Institution • “Miracle” playground (Lchavan) Economic development 1% • “Who moved my cheese?” (excluding revolving loan) Other 9% (intercommunity project) (i.e., cultural enrichment, playgrounds) Education and Children Summer church camp support, Armenian Apostolic, Evangelical and Catholic (2,500 kids nationwide) Summer camp support for children with disabilities Play it Fair human rights curriculum, K-8 (Yerevan) Spiritual Education and Experiences for Children (pastoral outreach in remote villages) Artistic empowerment, technical upgrades, Sundukyan State Academic Theatre of Armenia Armenia, surrounded by Muslim nations but strengthened by Christian roots, Armenian national dance workshop, has tremendous potential to grow. Ninety percent of Jinishian projects, publication by Ginosyan such as youth business development, are designed to promote long-term, sustainable change. 2017