Walking With Alex Foundation was created with one clear purpose: to raise awareness and provide critical support for children with autism in Armenia and Lebanon.
This nonprofit organization was founded by Carol Ghanem and co- founded by Nina Garayan, two women united by their passion for helping children with special needs and their determination to create meaningful change.
Around the same time, Nina met Carol Ghanem at a fashion event, and from their very first conversation, the two women connected over their shared passion for autism advocacy. For nearly a decade, Carol had been actively volunteering her time to help children with special needs. She had also founded a nonprofit, the original organization on which walking with alex is based today, dedicated to supporting children with developmental challenges and was eager to relaunch it with a renewed mission to raise funds for autistic children in Lebanon.
When Nina expressed her desire to extend that mission to Armenia, the collaboration was immediate and natural. Together, Carol and Nina joined forces to build an organization that would amplify their shared purpose: to create a better future for autistic children in Armenia and Lebanon.
For Nina Garayan, this mission is deeply personal. She is the mother of Alex, an 11-year-old boy who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Over the past decade, Nina has dedicated herself to learning everything she could about autism—its challenges, treatments, and the therapies that can improve a child’s quality of life. She and her family have worked tirelessly to ensure that Alex receives the best care and support available in the United States.
But as someone born and raised in Armenia, Nina could not ignore the painful reality that children with autism in Armenia—and their families—do not have access to the same resources, treatments, or awareness. The stigma surrounding autism makes their struggles even greater. In 2024, Nina sponsored and organized the filming of a documentary featuring families raising autistic children in Armenia to shed light on their stories and raise awareness. That project planted the seed for what would later become the Walking With Alex Foundation.
Founded with Love in 2014
In 2014, Carol Ghanem founded what is now known as Walking with Alex, driven by a heartfelt mission to support individuals with Autism and their families. Motivated by personal experience and a clear need for greater community resources, she devoted herself to creating inclusive, nurturing spaces.
Today, her vision continues through Walking with Alex Centers across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties — serving as beacons of care, understanding, and hope.
Walking With Alex Foundation is more than just a nonprofit—it is a heartfelt movement powered by love, empathy, and determination. Named in honor of Nina’s son, Alexander Garayan, who is both the inspiration and driving force behind the foundation, this organization exists to ensure that children with autism are not left behind simply because of where they were born.
Carol and Nina are committed to investing their time, resources, and passion into growing this foundation so it can one day help not just hundreds, but thousands of children around the world. They believe that true success lies in using one’s blessings to make a lasting impact—and this foundation is their way of doing exactly that.
Your generosity helps us create meaningful change in the lives of individuals with Autism and their families. Every donation directly supports our programs, resources, and services — bringing hope, inclusion, and opportunity to those who need it most.
490 South Rosemead Blvd. Suite #5, Pasadena, CA 91107
+ 1 (310) 792-7007
carolghanem@yahoo.com
