THE ADA KESHISHYANTS MEDICAL FUND
Born on October 31, 2019, Ada Keshishyants suffers from a life-threatening, rare genetic disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1. To learn more about this deadly disease, please visit here. Children with SMA die slowly, rarely reaching two years of age.
One shot of Zolgensma could have helped treat or even cure Ada, but at a cost of $2.125 million. In 2021, the funds were raised to purchase Zolgensma, but complications arose, and unfortunately, Ada was not able to receive the treatment.
All funds previously raised by SOAR for Ada will be used to establish the Ada Keshishyants Medical Fund. Managed by SOAR, the funds will be used exclusively to benefit the medical needs of disabled children housed in Armenia’s residential childcare facilities.
ADA KESHISHYANTS SOCIAL REHABILITATION CENTER FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Dedicated in the name of Ada Keshishyants, who suffers from a life-threatening, rare genetic disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1. To learn more about this deadly disease, please visit here. Children with SMA die slowly, rarely reaching two years of age.One shot of Zolgensma could have helped treat or even cure Ada, but at a cost of $2.125 million. In 2021, the funds were raised to purchase Zolgensma, but complications arose, and unfortunately, Ada was not able to receive the treatment.
Concept of “ADA Keshishyan” Services and Development Center
Introduction
“ADA” Center was established as an inclusive space to ensure the social, psychological, educational, and physical development of children and young people aged 3 to 18, particularly persons with disabilities.
The Center operates in Vanadzor city and provides day-care services aimed at developing independent living skills, promoting social inclusion, and easing the burden on families.
Mission of the Center
To create a supportive, caring, and developmental environment where every child or young person can discover their potential and live a dignified and fulfilling life within the community.
Main Goal
To provide day-care services tailored to individual needs, contributing to beneficiaries’ social integration, development of independent living skills, and family respite.
Activities
Organize individual and group developmental, therapeutic and educational programs.
- Develop self-care, communication, and social skills.
- Support parents and caregivers through psychological counseling and support groups.
- Include beneficiaries in community and cultural events.
- Cooperate with local self-government bodies, schools, and healthcare institutions to ensure continuity of care.
Beneficiaries
- Children and young people aged 3 to 18 with physical, intellectual, or multiple disabilities
- Their family members, as secondary beneficiaries
Types of Services
- Skills development
- Community engagement programs
- Social and psychosocial support
- Individual and group psychological counseling
- Developmental and stimulating games
- Psychological therapies (art therapy, sand therapy, fairy-tale therapy)
- Developmental and educational activities
- Vocational training: handicrafts and creative activities
- Development of basic knowledge and communication skills
- Therapeutic services
- Kinesitherapy / therapeutic physical exercises
- Speech development / speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Social skills development
- Self-care skills, interaction, and teamwork
- Parental support
- Counseling groups
- Seminars on parental empowerment and caregiving topics
Expected Results
- Improvement of beneficiaries’ functional abilities
- Development of social and communication skills
- Reduction of parents’ psychological burden
- Increased level of inclusion at the community level
Core Principles
- Equal opportunities
- Individualized approach
- Inclusive environment
- Confidentiality and respect
- Cooperation between families and professionals
Center Structure and Work Organization
Structure
“ADA” Center operates as a specialized center under the “Lusastgh” NGO and has a multidisciplinary team with a clearly structured system, including the following specialists:
- Center Director / Coordinator – organizes and oversees the entire service process, cooperates with partners and community institutions
- Psychologist – conducts psychological assessments, counseling, and individual and group therapy sessions
- Social Worker – assesses social needs, develops individual support plans, and maintains communication with families
- Speech Therapist / Logopedist – works on speech, communication, and language development
- Occupational Therapist / Development Specialist – ensures development of self-care, motor, and cognitive skills
- Kinesitherapist / Physiotherapist / Therapeutic Exercise Specialist – conducts rehabilitative and stimulating sessions to restore and improve motor abilities
- Special Education Teacher – organizes daily educational, play-based, and creative activities
- Social Pedagogue – supports socialization, behavior regulation, and interpersonal skills development; implements individual and group work to facilitate adaptation in groups and the community; cooperates with parents and teachers
- Social Caregiver – provides daily care, hygiene support, and assistance in developing self-care skills
- Art Therapist – conducts individual and group art therapy sessions to promote emotional expression, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, using drawing, collage, music, movement, storytelling, and other methods
- Ceramics Instructor – develops fine motor skills, concentration, and creative thinking through clay work; ceramic classes also have therapeutic benefits, promoting calmness, focus, and self-confidence; collaborates with the art therapist and occupational therapist
- Support Staff (caregivers, driver, technical staff) – ensure physical safety and a comfortable environment
Work Organization
The Center operates in a day-care mode, 5 days a week, from 10:00 to 17:00
Within the program, the following are implemented:
- Individual and group sessions based on the child’s development plan
- Free play and socialization hours
- Hygiene and self-care training
- Parental counseling meetings
- Regular family visits to ensure feedback
- The Center’s activities are organized based on annual and quarterly plans.
Evaluation and Monitoring System/ Evaluation is carried out by SOAR.
The Center’s work is based on continuous evaluation to ensure service quality and effectiveness. Evaluation is conducted at three levels:
Individual Level
- Development of an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for each beneficiary
- Regular assessment of progress (social, communication, and motor skills)
Service Level
- Evaluation of program effectiveness and need for changes during team meetings
Organizational Level
- Annual reports analyzing results, challenges, and improvement steps
- Service quality monitoring with the involvement of external specialists
Evaluation tools include observations, checklists, parent interviews, and professional consultations.
Cooperation and Networking
The Center cooperates with:
- Local self-government bodies (Vanadzor Municipality) within social support programs
- Educational institutions to ensure inclusive education
- Healthcare institutions to establish a system of medical consultation and referrals
- Civil society and international organizations for capacity building and resource mobilization
The Center is open to volunteers, student internships, and professional cooperation.
Conclusion
“ADA” Center is a unique platform in Lori region for the comprehensive development and social inclusion of children and young people with disabilities.
The Center’s services not only improve the quality of life of beneficiaries but also contribute to fostering a culture of care and inclusion within the community.
Fund Reports
Updates from the Center
During 2025, 150 special needs children were
enrolled in the Center. The children and siblings received school supplies, the
families and elderly of the community were given monthly diaper distributions, and a Christmas celebration was held and gifts for every participant of the Center.
The children received professional support from a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist, physiotherapist, speech therapist, special
educator, occupational therapist, art therapist, and potter. Services were delivered both individually and in group formats.
The year 2025 was particularly significant, as group sessions were held on a regular basis. This allowed children on the waiting list to be partially and proactively included in the program, ensuring their early engagement in a therapeutic environment.
During the year, a total of 327 children were registered on the waiting list, of whom approximately 200 are still awaiting access to services.
A new larger building was purchased in 2025, and renovations will be completed in May of 2026. The building was purchased to accommodate the growing demand.
Christmas celebration for the children and families of the Center.
December monthly diaper assistance to all 36 beneficiaries of the Ada Center, including local elderly.
November monthly diaper assistance to all 36 beneficiaries of the Ada Center, including local elderly.
October monthly diaper assistance to all 36 beneficiaries of the Ada Center, including local elderly.
Diaper assistance was given to all 36 beneficiaries of the Ada Center, including local elderly for the month of July.
Diaper assistance was given to all 36 beneficiaries of the Ada Center, including local elderly for the month of June
New building purchased for the Ada Center in Vanadzor.
Staff visit to the Ada Keshishyants Center
October 2023
Lilit Harutyunyan of the Ada Keshishyants Day Center, received art supplies!
August 2023
The Ada Keshishyants Medical Fund helped Angelina Petrosian with her next procedure, a selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening (SPML) surgical procedure which is a minimally invasive method designed to improve ambulation by lengthening contracted musculoskeletal tissues. The procedure went very well. She is feeling wonderful and even danced the day after her surgery!
Learn more about Angelina HERE
A message from her mother:
Dear Soar, Dear George, Susan, Hagop, we did our surgery, everything went well.
Angelina feels great and even dances the day after the operation.
Thank you again so much for giving my daughter a chance for a bright future❤️. Our family THANKS you from the bottom of their hearts
I will always send you Angelina’s videos and share our successes with you
With Respect, NAIRA AYVAZYAN
A visit to the Center by SOAR’s Vice Chairman, Raffi Jehanian.
Yana Danielyan, from a displaced Artsakh Family also attends the Ada Keshishyants Center for Disabled Children. Yana has a hearing disability but had received her certification for hairdressing. SOAR supplied her with the tools she needed to work in her profession.