Professor Parvaneh Vosough, angel of Iran's Cancer Children, passes away

- Everyone in Mozaffar Street loved Mrs. Professor's Green Volkswagen bug; a symbol which would appear in the vicinity of Ali Asghar Hospital, making evident the presence of a woman who had dedicated her life to cancer-suffering children; who abandoned her residence in Europe to live beside cancer-suffering children in Iran and to help them. - 5/21/13

Iranian firefighter saves lives, even after his death

- According to Jalal Maleki, the spokesman of Iran's Firefighters Organization, body parts of firefighter Amir Abbasi will be offered to patients in need of transplants. Abbasi died during a mission in north Tehran after saving a girl from a fire in a residential complex. - 5/17/13

The privilege of giving

- Atherton philanthropist Bita Daryabari supports range of causes not only with funding, but with time, effort and intensity of purpose -Renee Batti, The Almanac - 4/29/13

Child Foundation, a nonprofit located in Portland Oregon, seeks an Executive Manager

- Child Foundation's mission is to help high-achieving children who are in needy circumstances stay in school. We serve children living in Iran, Afghanistan and Indonesia. - 4/22/13

More Than 300 Iranian Students In US Really Need Your Help!

- Several weeks ago, PAAIA announced a partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE) to provide emergency grants of $2,000 each to Iranian students in the US who are facing financial difficulties due to the recent currency devaluation in Iran. Since then, PAAIA has been collecting donations from generous Iranian Americans for these students. - 4/11/13

Painting exhibit to raise funds for child cancer victims in Iran

- A group of children has teamed up to hold a painting exhibition in Tehran to raise funds for children suffering from cancer. Paintings by 54 children will go on display on April 11 and 12 in a showcase entitled "Future Is Mine", Mahak Charity Society, which is the organizer of the event, announced on Monday. - 4/9/13

Momeni Foundation is accepting applications for the year 2013 Academic Scholarships

- Momeni Foundation is dedicated to providing scholarships to graduating high school students and full time college students of Iranian descent anywhere in the world. Deadline for receiving the application material is June 30th, 2013. - 4/4/13

Photos: Nowruz Gifts For Arasbaran Quake Victims

- Life in the Arasbaran region hasn't returned to normal yet, and the quake-stricken people are still in need of help. With the arrival of the Iranian new year, the most festive time of the year in Iran, group of volunteers visited the region on Wednesday and delivered donated gifts to the people so they could enjoy the occasion as well. -Masoume Fariborzi - 3/29/13

Persian Studies at the University of Maryland

- Aspiring to be the premier center for the study and appreciation of Persian culture in the United States, the Roshan Institute for Persian Studies was established at UMD's School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures in Fall 2004. - 3/28/13

Photos: Volunteers cook 220 Kilograms of Samanoo for Norouz!

- Every year, two weeks before the arrival of the Iranian New Year Norouz, a group of devoted people gather at the Alroghieh Mosque in the southern city of Shiraz and cook a large amount of samanoo for distribution among the needy in the city. This year the volunteers cooked 220 kilograms of samanoo! - 3/9/13

Southern California Iranian-Americans, 670 AM KIRN Radio Iran and The Midnight Mission Give Back to Skid Row Residents in Honor of Iranian New Year Nowruz

- The Midnight Mission proudly announces that its second annual Nowruz at the Midnight Mission event-a special street celebration to toast life and revive and renew the spirit during this festive time of renewal-will take place on Friday, March 15th from 3pm to 6pm at The Midnight Mission on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles. - 3/5/13

Child Foundation 12th Annual Nowruz Bazaar in Irvine, California

- Join Child Foundation at the 12th annual Nowruz Bazaar on March 17th, 2013 from 11 am to 6 pm at the Hilton Irvine. There will be children's activities, live music, Haji Firooz, DJ Maha, and much more! Meet Irvine's Mayor Dr. Steven Choi and receive a free medical checkup from the Hoag Medical Doctors. - 3/3/13

Southern California - Celebrate Nowruz 2013 with the homeless

- Steeped in history, Nowruz is an annual celebration that marks the beginning of the Iranian New Year for people of all faiths. It is also a time of deep spirituality when light symbolically conquers darkness, and people open their hearts to help those less fortunate than themselves step into the light. - 3/1/13

Southern California - International Society for Children with Cancer Nowruz Bazaar

- Please join ISCC in celebrating the arrival of Persian New Year by attending our Nowruz Bazaar supporting underprivileged children suffering from cancer. The Nowruz Bazaar features a variety of delicious homemade torshis, jams, pastries, haft-seen items and entertainment for children and adults. - 3/1/13

NIAC Annual National Day of Service: Saturday, March 9

- Join Iranian Americans nationwide in honoring the Iranian New Year (Norooz) tradition of beginning a good year through acts of kindness. During NIAC's Third Annual Day of Service on Saturday, March 9, we look forward to reigning in a wonderful new year by cleaning parks and beaches, serving food to those less fortunate than ourselves, and caring for the ill and elderly. - 2/22/13

Securing the Future of Persian Immersion Language Education in the US

- Golestan Kids is a nonprofit Persian language immersion school for children in Northern California. Our mission is to promote a strong sense of cultural identity through daily immersion in the Persian language, arts, and traditions. Speaking exclusively in Persian, Golestan's teachers employ a hybrid, progressive curriculum to nurture and promote good citizenship to children... Now we find ourselves at a major crossroads. -Yalda Modabber - 2/21/13

Bita Daryabari's Pars Equality Center Plans for Expansion in Los Angeles

- Philanthropist and entrepreneur Bita Daryabari's Pars Equality Center (a Bay Area non-profit organization, and the first of its kind, providing social and legal support for all members of the Iranian American community, including refugees, asylees and immigrants) opened its second office in San Jose, California in April 2012, and is currently planning expansion into the Los Angeles market. - 2/13/13

Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation provides update on the Eastern Azerbaijan earthquake appeal

- We are delighted to report that as a direct consequence of your generous response to our Eastern Azerbaijan Earthquake Appeal we have exceeded the target sums and pledged assistance to even greater numbers than initially promised. - 2/11/13

Iran: Detained earthquake relief workers sentenced

- A group of volunteer relief workers who were arrested at an independent relief camp following last summer's earthquake in northwest Azerbaijan have been handed jail sentences ranging from six months to two years. - 1/15/13

32 Iranian artists to raise funds for World Food Program

- Thirty-two Iranian artists have donated some of their works to the United Nations World Food Program to raise funds to fight hunger. The works were unveiled during a ceremony in an exhibit at the Diplomatic Gallery of the ECO Cultural Institute in Tehran on Wednesday evening. - 12/29/12

Pars Equality Center's Christmas Appeal

- One of the things that Pars Equality Center does is to bring this same kind of joy to the lives of the kids and new comer familes in our care, with the backing of supporters like you. A joy that most of them have never experienced before in their lives, before coming to the USA. - 12/12/12

Photos: Artists take puppet show to quake-stricken children

- A group of Azerbaijani artists visited the quake-stricken areas in Arasbaran region on Friday and held puppet shows to help create a lively and fun atmosphere for the children. The artists also distributed gifts among the children. - 12/8/12

Iranian NGO receives Red Ribbon Award for AIDS work

- The 2012 Red Ribbon Award prize of dlrs 10,000 was handed over to Afraye Sabz Association for its outstanding work in response to HIV at the community level. - 12/6/12

Iranian stage and screen stars to raise money for quake victims

- A number of celebrated stage and screen stars will perform play readings to raise funds for earthquake victims in East Azarbaijan Province. - 11/29/12

New York Still Needs Our Help: IAAB Lends a Hand

- In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, IAAB organized a team of volunteers, along with a coalition of organizations, to work on Sandy relief efforts. What we found were communities extremely devastated three weeks after the storm hit. There is a dire need for all of those in New York and New Jersey to volunteer in relief efforts before the extreme winter weather hits. - 11/19/12

Iranian-Americans giving back this Thanksgiving

- In the spirit of Thanksgiving, several Iranian-American organizations are joining forces to offer opportunities to give back to Houstonians in need. -KTRK - 11/19/12

$10 million gift establishes Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies at Princeton University

- Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani, a member of the Class of 1980, and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani, a member of the Class of 1974, have created the center to provide a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to understanding Iran and the Persian Gulf, with special attention to the region's significance for the contemporary world. - 11/17/12

Iranian-Americans to participate in Sandy Relief in NYC

- In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, IAAB, who's headquarters are in New York City, is spearheading the Iranian Americans For Sandy Relief Initiative. - 11/13/12

Photos: Volunteers Deliver Supplies to Quake Victims in Ahar

- With the beginning of the cold season, and since the promises of the government officials in rebuilding the quake hit areas haven't been fulfilled yet, the quake victims in Iran's Azarbaijan province are more than ever in need of help. This is where volunteer groups have been trying to fill the gap. Meanwhile two mild tremors hit Varzaqan on Saturday morning. -Masoume Fariborzi - 10/27/12

Pars Equality Center's Mentoring Kick Off Event!

- This month Pars Equality Center held an inspiring career mentoring event designed to put some of the amazing expertise that we have available in the Bay Area to help those in need, and help them plan their new and exciting careers. - 10/24/12

NIAC Applauds Extension of Earthquake Sanctions Waiver

- The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) applauds the Treasury Department for extending a sanctions waiver to help enable ongoing earthquake relief efforts in northern Iran, and calls for additional steps to ensure sanctions do not continue to block transactions of food and medicine. - 10/10/12

Pars Equality Center's Refugee Services Report

- Reza Odabaee, The Pars Director of Social Services has a huge responsibility. His office directs all of the Pars Case Managers to work with the families and individuals to ensure they receive the right help and assistance that they need in order to successfully relocate and integrate into the Bay Area. - 10/1/12

From Security Charges to Moldy Bread: Details of Earthquake Camp Raid and Arrests

- In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki provided details about the raid on the earthquake relief camp and the brutal arrests of volunteers, including verbal and physical abuse. - 9/2/12

Momeni Foundation announces 2012 scholarship recipients

- It is with great pleasure and honor to introduce our scholarship recipients for the year 2012. The following 16 individuals have been selected from a large pool of applicants. Their outstanding achievements, volunteerism and sense of community is impressive. - 9/2/12

Iranian Americans Thank Obama for Suspending Sanctions on Humanitarian Aid

- Over fifteen hundred people signed a letter this past week thanking President Obama for suspending sanctions and helping enable Americans to support earthquake relief efforts in Iran. - 8/31/12

Iranian Cineastes to express sympathy for quake victims

- A group of Iranian cineastes plans to begin a two-day visit to the quake-stricken regions in East Azarbaijan Province today to show their sympathy toward the survivors of two large quakes that hit the towns of Ahar, Haris and Varzaqan on August 11. - 8/27/12

Bita Daryabari To Match Donations to Iran's Earthquake Victims

- "Over 50,000 people have been moved to emergency camps. In these devastating conditions, with all we have to be thankful and grateful for, it is easily incumbent upon us to come together and help," Ms. Daryabari said. - 8/24/12

Iranian activist jailed for quake relief work begins hunger strike

- Iranian children's rights activist Saeed Shirzad has begun a hunger strike in prison after being arrested on Tuesday while volunteering for relief efforts in Eastern Azerbaijan. - 8/24/12

Iranian activists arrested in disaster areas

- Reports from Iran indicate that scores of volunteers at the camps for earthquake victims in Eastern Azerbaijan Province have been arrested by Islamic Republic security forces during disputes over the distribution of aid. - 8/23/12

Iran Earthquake Appeal by Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation

- From the experience gained in the aftermath of the 2003 Bam earthquake we feel that charities like ours should concentrate their efforts on helping to rebuild the lives of the people rather than focusing on sending emergency aid following the initial devastation. - 8/23/12

U.S. Issues Blanket License To Aid Iranian Earthquake Victims

- The United States has said it has issued a temporary general license to ease sending aid to victims of Iran's August 11 deadly earthquakes. The U.S. Department of the Treasury said that the general license will remain in effect until October 5, 2012. - 8/22/12

NIAC Applauds General License for Earthquake Assistance

- NIAC strongly applauds the White House for issuing a temporary general license authorizing charitable organizations to provide direct humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the victims of the earthquakes in northwest Iran. - 8/22/12

Newcastle woman teaches sign language in Iran

- A deaf teacher of sign language from Newcastle has spent three weeks as a volunteer in Iran. Tessa Padden, 55, taught the basics of sign linguistics, which are common across all sign languages, and explained the importance of sign language teaching. -BBC - 8/22/12

Young Iranians Step Up With Their Own Quake Relief

- As their caravan of private cars drove north along the Tehran-Tabriz highway, following the five trucks they had filled up with relief goods for the victims of the deadly double earthquake that struck northern Iran this month, a group of young Iranians - a mix of hipsters, off-road motor club members and children of affluent families - felt like rebels with a cause. -Thomas Erdbring, NY Times - 8/21/12

On Iranian Diaspora's Response to the Quake

- The response from the outside, the Iranian diaspora, has also suffered from inconsistencies and at times the spreading of false information. Part of it can be ascribed to the general confusion and the inevitable mistakes that will be committed when seeking to find clarity in a chaotic situation. But some of it reflects the lack of maturity and professionalism of Diaspora organizations. -Karen Smith-Kreuger - 8/20/12

Photos: Aiding Iran Quake Victims - Part II

- These photos show the plight of the people made homeless as a result of the quakes and volunteers delivering food and supplies to them. While some help is arriving, a lot remains to be done to restore the living conditions of these people who have lost their homes, their loved ones and even their villages. - 8/18/12

NIAC and WAC Initiate Call with White House on Disaster Relief

- NIAC welcomes the White House's decision to hold a conference call with the Iranian American community about how they can provide disaster relief to the Iranian people. The call was led by the White House and representatives from the State Department, Treasury Department, and USAID. - 8/18/12

Photos: Aiding Iran Quake Victims - Part I

- These photos show the plight of the people made homeless as a result of the quakes. While some help is arriving, a lot remains to be done to restore the living conditions of these people who have lost their homes, their loved ones and even their villages. - 8/17/12

Iranian Americans Warn Harsh U.S. Sanctions Could Restrict Aid to Iran's Earthquake Victims

- Warnings of military action against Iran come amidst concerns harsh U.S. sanctions on Iran will greatly hinder international donations for victims of this weekend's double earthquakes. More than 300 people were killed and thousands more wounded when the earthquakes struck northwest Iran on Saturday. -Democracy Now - 8/16/12

Facebook Shows Off Its Good Side In Aftermath Of Iranian Quakes

- Back in 2009, at the height of mass protests that followed Iran's disputed presidential election, Facebook emerged as an important tool for protesters to share news and information. It had such an impact that the authorities even branded Facebook a weapon in a "soft war" against the Islamic republic. -Hannah Kaviani, RFE - 8/15/12

Iranian athletes dedicate Olympic medals to earthquake victims

- Iran's Greco-Roman wrestlers Hamid Sourian and Ghasem Rezaei dedicated their gold medals at London Olympics to the victims of the recent earthquakes that struck north-western Iran. - 8/15/12

Photo exhibit to raise funds for Iran quake victims

- Tehran's Eyvan Gallery will be playing host to a photo exhibition today to raise funds for the victims of the two successive earthquakes that hit regions in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan on Saturday. - 8/15/12

Iranian-Canadians uncertain of how to send aid as Canadian government refuses to ease sanctions

- Four days after twin earthquakes struck northwest Iran, Iranian-Canadians say they are hesitant to send aid to their home country for disaster relief because they have not received assurances from the Canadian government that they will not be targeted under the existing sanctions regime. -OTTAWA CITIZEN - 8/15/12

Iranian-American Organizations Send Letter to OFAC

- Today, IAAB, along with a number of Iranian American organizations, submitted a letter to Adam Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assests Control (OFAC) at the US Department of Treasury. In the letter, the coalition urged OFAC to take immediate action to enable humanitarian assistance for the victims of the recent earthquakes in northwestern Iran. - 8/14/12

First foreign aid shipments arrive in Iran

- Red Crescent Iran says the first shipment of humanitarian aid from Turkey arrived today at the Azerbaijan disaster area but Turkish relief workers have been retunred from Varzaghan. - 8/14/12

Iran Welcomes Foreign Aid for Earthquake Victims

- Iran says it is now prepared to accept foreign aid for the victims of Saturday's two earthquakes in the nation's northwest. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi as saying Iran is ready to receive contributions from other countries. - 8/14/12

FAQ: How You Can Help the Earthquake Victims

- NIAC has received a flurry of emails over the weekend with questions about how Iranian Americans can help in assisting with relief efforts of the earthquake aftermath in northern Iran. To help you stay informed and to ensure that we are doing everything possible to assist with relief efforts in Iran, we have provided a list of frequently asked questions below. - 8/14/12

Photos: Long lines in Tehran and Tabriz to donate blood for quake victims

- People in the cities of Tehran and Tabriz have rushed to donate blood to help the victims the Saturday quake that has taken 300 lives so far and injured over 2000 others. As a result, long lines have been formed at the blood donation centers overwhelming the staff. - 8/12/12

Humanitarian Relief Requires Sanctions Waiver Following Earthquakes in Iran

- NIAC is reaching out directly to humanitarian organizations to determine what is the state of humanitarian relief efforts and how best Americans can support these efforts. We will keep you updated regarding what channels are available to provide financial and humanitarian support in the wake of this disaster. - 8/12/12

Photos: Student Run Food Bank in Tehran

- These photos show a student group in Tehran that is involved in collecting and distributing food to the underprivileged families. The student volunteers bag the foods and supplies, which are funded by philanthropists. They then deliver them at night to the homes of the needy families they have identified. -Yunes Khani - 8/10/12

Rescued Iranian Cat Gets Comfy in Napa

- Remember Maloos, the badly-injured tabby cat found on a Tehran street, rehabilitated in San Francisco and adopted last week by a Napa woman with roots in Iran? Here's an update from Bay City News Service, with photos from his new home. -NapaPatch - 6/12/12

Maloos, Iranian Cat Shot in His Native Country, Finds New Family in San Francisco

- Last month we moved readers with the touching story of Maloos, the deeply troubled Iranian cat who was found stuck to the pavement in the streets of Tehran. Maloos was rescued and later flown to San Francisco where he has been treated and loved back to health. -SF Weekly - 6/6/12

Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation's 2012 Fundraiser

- Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation's next UK Annual Fundraiser will be held on Thursday 28th June 2012 at the Kensington Roof Gardens, W8. The Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation was launched in 1998 by the family and friends of the late Popli Khalatbari, who wished to honour her memory by distributing the funds from her estate in a manner befitting of the spirit with which she had led her life. - 6/4/12

Injured Iranian Cat Brought To San Francisco For Treatment

- Although the U.S. and Iran are at odds politically, a partnership between animal care groups in the two countries helped to save a cat found seriously injured in the Iranian capital of Tehran by sending it to San Francisco for treatment. -CBS SF - 4/27/12

Photos: An Abandoned Baby Girl in Ahvaz

- A baby girl, only two days old, was abandoned by her parents at the gate of a commercial complex at Naderi street in Ahvaz, southern Iran. According to Mehr News Agency, when the people were heading to work in the morning, they came across the sad scene of the abandoned baby crying and needing attention. -Mohammedreza Dehdari - 4/22/12

Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation: 2011 Report

- We take great pleasure in updating PKCF supporters on the projects funded in 2011 and providing a brief report on our ongoing activities. Without your generous support none of this would have been possible. - 4/9/12

Children of Persia Benefit Concert at Georgetown University featuring Pari Zangeneh and Novin Afrouz

- Sunday, April 15, 2012: Proceeds from this event will benefit Children of Persia's projects serving the disadvantaged Iranian Children. - 4/9/12

Iranian Americans Gather to Give Back This Norooz

- On March 3rd, 2012, over 300 Iranian-American volunteers gathered in 26 cities across the nation to give back to their communities ... all in the spirit of Norooz. -NIAC - 3/28/12

Bay Area Iranian Americans honor day of service

- Saturday was a day of celebration for Iranians around the world. In the Bay Area, Iranian Americans marked the occasion with a day of service while thinking about their families back home. -KGO-TV - 3/28/12

Momeni Foundation is accepting applications for the year 2012 Academic Scholarships

- Momeni Foundation is dedicated to providing scholarships to graduating high school students and full time college students of Iranian descent anywhere in the world. - 3/23/12

Iranian Americans Give Back During Nowruz

- The Iranian New Year, Nowruz, is a traditional time of giving for Iranian Americans. This year, it is an occasion for all Iranians to give back to the less fortunate members of their communities. It is in this spirit that the Iranian American community of Southern California is sharing the traditions of this festive time with the people of LA's Skid Row community. -Fardad Yazdi, PAAIA - 3/12/12

Group Painting Exhibition for benefit of Cancer Charities at Seyhoun Art Gallery

- Thursday March 15th: Participating Artists: Nasser Azizi, Bahram Dabiri, Jamshir Haghighat Shenass, Pooneh Jafarinejad, Parviz Kalantari, Leila Khatibi, Hossein Maher, Abdolhamid Pazoki and Mohammad Ali Traaghijah - 3/9/12

Magic Of Persia's Magical Nights Dubai 2012

- March 2012 sees Magic of Persia once again presenting their eagerly anticipated Magical Nights in Dubai, taking place during both Art Dubai and the Iranian New Year Celebrations in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan. - 2/29/12

Actress Katayoun Riahi assigned Iran charity ambassador

- The award-winning Iranian actress Katayoun Riahi has been assigned as the new ambassador of the country's Mehrafarin Charity Society. Mehrafarin Charity Society also introduced Tehran Wind Instruments Orchestra as the Co-Ambassador at the event. - 2/1/12

Colour of Love - Artists for Hope: Exhibition in support of the Omid Foundations

- Iranian artists have come together to put on an exhibition in support of the Omid Foundations. Show your support by purchasing the donated works of art. Despite their past difficulties, and the obstacles still facing them, the young women at the Omid-e-Mehr center have dreams like all of us. - 1/26/12