• FULLER  CENTER FOR HOUSING NEWS  -   The Fuller Center for Housing (FCH) has selected Armenia to host the 2016 International Millard Fuller Legacy Build in July. At that time, dedicated FCH volunteers from all over the United States will converge in Armenia to complete the renovation of twelve apartments in Vanadzor. These apartments will be occupied by families who still live in domiks from the 1988 earthquake. FCH Armenia has chosen Sona and Leo Manuelian to lead the effort. If you are interested in participating, please register for the trip via the website -  http://www.fullercenter.org/global-builders/mflbarmenia  

• FACT - No family for whom FCHA has built a home has emigrated.

Fuller Center Housing Armenia (FCHA)

Consider Joining our St. Leon team of volunteers….

Participation in building homes in Armenia began in 2002 with Barbara and Lori Hovsepian. They participated in a Habitat for Humanity mission which was led by Mike Candan of New York City. Since that time St. Leon has provided four team leaders. Barbara, Lori, Leo Manuelian and Suzanne Daghlian and switched to Fuller Center for Housing. Together these team leaders have led approximately 25 teams with 200 participants and have worked on construction of approximately 50 homes. Every participant, without exception, returns
deeply rooted with the people and with an abiding connection to their ancestral homeland.

Fuller Center Housing Armenia (FCHA) provides simple decent and affordable housing. It a self sustaining program whose funds are continuously reinvested in home building, never leaving Armenia. From each participant’s cost, $400.00 is contributed to purchase building materials. Participants provide volunteer labor to help complete a FCHA partner family’s existing partially built home. The total cost of materials is converted into a zero interest (economy of Jesus) mortgage assumed by the homeowner. The mortgage payments are deposited into a revolving fund which is used to purchase materials for more homes.

The St. Leon parish is the leader amongst all Armenian Churches world-wide in providing teams and volunteers for this excellent Christian outreach program. Thus far 650 families have been helped, and none of them have emigrated from Armenia. Over the years several St. Leon parishioners have made major contributions and the Parish Council initially authorized financial support in order to reduce team member expenses and to encourage participation in the program. Contributions to help defray the cost of the trip for volunteers who have the desire to participate but lack full financial means to do so are appreciated.