Foundation of Iranians of Connecticut (FIOC)

02/09/2026

The Foundation of Iranians of Connecticut, Inc. (FIOC), stands in unwavering solidarity with the brave men and women in Iran who are fighting for a future defined by democracy and freedom.

This year, we are forgoing our annual Nowruz gala because we cannot, in good conscience, celebrate on a dance floor while mothers, fathers, and children in Iran are mourning lives taken by a brutal regime. This year, the spirit of Nowruz is not about festivity; it is about remembrance. We pause to honor the empty spaces around Haft-Sin tables across Iran and the brave souls who gave everything in the pursuit of a better future.

Nowruz has always been about light triumphing over darkness. We look forward to the day the sun fully rises on our homeland. Until then, to the people of Iran: we grieve with you, and we stand with you.

Solidarity IranRevolution

کانون ایرانیان کنتیکت با تمام وجود در کنار زنان و مردان شجاع ایران ایستاده است؛ آنان که برای آینده‌ای مبتنی بر آزادی و دموکراسی مبارزه می‌کنند.

امسال، ما تصمیم گرفته‌ایم مراسم سالانه‌ی نوروز خود را برگزار نکنیم، زیرا نمی‌توانیم با وجدانی آسوده جشن بگیریم در حالی که مادران، پدران و کودکان در ایران، داغدار جان‌هایی هستند که توسط رژیمی سرکوبگر گرفته شده است. امسال پیام نوروز جشن و سورر نیست؛ بلکه یادبود و گرامیداشت است. ما درنگ می‌کنیم تا جای‌های خالی بر سر سفره‌های هفت ‌سین در سراسر ایران را گرامی بداریم و یاد جان‌های عزیزی را  پاس بداریم که همه‌چیز خود را در راه آینده‌ای بهتر فدا کردند.

نوروز همواره نماد پیروزی نور بر تاریکی بوده است. ما چشم‌انتظار روزی هستیم که خورشید آزادی به‌طور کامل بر سرزمین‌مان بتابد. تا آن روز، خطاب به مردم ایران: ما با شما سوگواریم و در کنار شما ایستاده‌ایم.

ایران_آزاد همبستگی زن_زندگی_آزادی نوروز

01/10/2026

Over the past weeks, developments concerning Iran have weighed heavily on the hearts and minds of many within our community. Like countless others, we have been closely observing events and reflecting on what they may mean for the future of our cherished homeland.

As Iranians living abroad, we remain deeply connected to the experiences, concerns, and aspirations of the people of Iran. Physical distance does not diminish our shared identity, nor does it lessen our sense of responsibility or compassion toward those we call our own.

At moments of uncertainty, unity and mutual understanding become especially important. With this in mind, the Foundation of Iranians of Connecticut stands alongside the Iranian community, expressing sincere solidarity and hope for peace, stability, and brighter days ahead for all Iranians.

در هفته‌های گذشته، تحولات مربوط به ایران ذهن و دل بسیاری از اعضای جامعه ما را به خود مشغول کرده است. ما نیز همچون بسیاری دیگر، با نگرانی و تأمل، رویدادها را دنبال می‌کنیم و به آینده سرزمین عزیزمان می‌اندیشیم.

ما ایرانیان خارج از کشور، خود را جدا از دغدغه‌ها، رنج‌ها و امیدهای مردم ایران نمی‌دانیم. فاصله جغرافیایی هرگز پیوندهای عمیق هویتی ما را کمرنگ نکرده و از احساس مسئولیت، همدلی و همراهی‌مان با هم‌میهنان‌مان نکاسته است.
در روزگار ابهام و دشواری، همبستگی، درک متقابل و ایستادن در کنار یکدیگر بیش از هر زمان دیگری اهمیت دارد. بر همین اساس، کانون ایرانیان کنتیکت همبستگی صمیمانه خود را با جامعه ایرانی اعلام می‌کند و صادقانه آرزومند آرامش، ثبات و روزهایی روشن‌تر برای همه ایرانیان است.

10/29/2025

Foundation of Iranians of Connecticut, Inc. celebrates YALDA, the longest night of the year and the beginning of winter.

Your presence will add to our festivities.

Date: Saturday. December 20, 2025

Place:  Farmington Garden

Address: 999 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06032

 

Time: From 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Event Includes Classic Buffet Style Dinner

Music: DJ BESHKAN

 

Members (2 yrs & up): $80   
Non-Members (2 yrs & up): $95
College Students: $80 

Please Purchase Your Tickets by December 15th online at

www.fioc-inc.com

Tickets may also be purchased by postal mail. Please fill out the attached ticket request form and send it with a check payable to FIOC, inc. at the address below:

FIOC, Inc: P. O. Box 901 Farmington, CT 06034-0901

“Tickets will not be sold at the door”

"Due to limited seating, FIOC, inc. reserves the right to decline your ticket request after December 15th"

10/19/2025

FIOC extends its heartfelt gratitude to Iraj Anvar, Katayoun Kamyab, Alby Roblejo, Ralph Martin, and Afshin Goodarzi for their outstanding performance at Mehregan Celebration.

09/22/2025

Celebrating Mehregan, Persian Festival of Autumn

Foundation of Iranians of Connecticut, Inc., is celebrating Mehregan with Classical Music Performance. A Persian poetry recitation (Naqqali), The story of Rostam and Sohrab.
The music will be performed by Iraj Anvar, Katayoun Kamyab, Alby Roblejo, Ralph Martin and Afshin Goodarzi.

Please join us!

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 4:00 to 9:00 PM

Location: University of New Haven – Alumni Lounge (Bartels Hall Campus Center)

300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516


Program is Free and open to public. Reservation is recommended due to limited seating.
Recommended Donation $10

For more information or to RSVP Email: [email protected]

Regards,
FIOC

09/11/2025

Celebrating Mehregan, Persian Festival of Autumn

Foundation of Iranians of Connecticut Inc., is celebrating Mehregan with Live Music Performance on Saturday October 18, 2025 at University of New Haven from 4 to 9 pm. More information about this event will be sent out in upcoming week. 

For additional information Email: [email protected]

Regards,

FIOC

09/11/2025

Celebrating Mehregan, Persian Festival of Autumn

Foundation of Iranians of Connecticut Inc., is celebrating Mehregan with Live Music Performance on Saturday October 18, 2025 at University of New Haven from 4 to 9 pm. More information about this event will be sent out in upcoming week.

For additional information Email: [email protected]

Regards,
FIOC

06/26/2025

FIOC is proud to present 2025 Summer Picnic on Sunday August 3, 2025.

Place: Hop Brook Lake Park, 002 Meadows Shelter Pavilion

Time: 11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Address: 4 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762

We have reserved Pavilion inside the park. Please see the attachments for Pavilion location.

Please plan on bringing your own food, there are few grills available on the site. You can bring your own grills as well. 

Additional details about the Pavilion -> https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campsites/81449

Information about the Park -> https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233330?tab=info

Facebook Event -> https://www.facebook.com/events/1015424560762618/

Directions:

From Bridgeport, take Route 8 N 23.5 miles to Exit 26/CT-63 S in Naugatuck. Head southeast on Main Street and turn onto CT-63 N. Travel approx. 3 miles. The park entrance is on the right side of the road at the intersection of CT-63 and CT-188. 

From Hartford, take I-84 W 31 miles to the CT-64 exit, Exit 17 (Watertown/Middlebury, Rte. 63). Go straight until you come to the intersection of CT-64 and CT-63. Turn left on CT-63. Travel approx. 1.5 miles. The park entrance is on the left side of the road at the intersection of CT-63 and CT-188. 

From Danbury, take I-84 E to the CT-63 exit, Exit 17 (Naugatuck/Watertown, Rte. 63). Take a right off the exit ramp. Travel approx. 1.5 miles. The park entrance is on the left side of the road at the intersection of CT-63 and CT-188.

We hope to see you all there.

Regards,

FIOC Board Committee

05/29/2025

Our next Connecticut-Persian Community Educational Presentation

Topic:

Trust and Estate Planning

Learn about Trust and Estate Planning



Date/Time: June 14, 2025, 5 PM EST to 6 PM EST Format: Zoom

Presenter: Larissa Jean Owens

Registration: Zoom Presentations are free of charge but require advance registration. This presentation is open to all FIOC members and non-members. The meeting is password protected. The password is: 434178 Click here to register.

About the Topic:

Trust and Estate Planning is a legal and financial strategy designed to manage and distribute assets efficiently during a person's lifetime and after their passing. It involves creating trusts, wills, and other legal instruments to ensure that wealth is preserved, taxes are minimized, and beneficiaries receive assets according to the individual's wishes. A Trust is a fiduciary arrangement in which a trustee holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Estate planning encompasses a broader scope, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. During the presentation, more details about this topic will be provided, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end.



About the Presenter:

Larissa Jean Owens is a proud alumna of Florida International University College of Law in Miami as well as Rollins College in Winter Park, where she received Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. She is currently attending Georgetown University Law Center, earning an advanced legal degree in Tax with a certificate in International Taxation and will complete that program in December 2025.



Originally from Clinton, Connecticut, her family moved to Florida when she was 12 and she grew up in Brevard County, FL. In 1993, when her parents had had enough of the sun and fun of Florida, they moved back to the Connecticut shoreline and Larissa relocated to Orlando. Orlando is home and the city she adores but her practice covers the entire State of Florida. She is also licensed in Washington, D.C., and her applications is in process for admission to New York and Connecticut.



After 25+ years as a paralegal, she decided to take what she loves doing to the next level and dove into law school. Following in the footsteps of her long-time mentor, James E. Shepherd IV, with whom she worked for nearly 11 years, she opened her own solo practitioner firm in June 2023, and Anchor Law was born.

Larissa’s practice includes estate planning (wills, trust, living wills, healthcare surrogate, durable power of attorneys), probate administration/litigation, trust administration/litigation, guardianship, small business matters, tax, international law, and arbitration (domestic and international).



We hope you can join us for this insightful presentation. To ensure a smooth Zoom experience, we need to know the number of participants in advance. Please register for the event as soon as possible using the link above.

FIOC educational presentations are based on the general by-laws of FIOC and are non-political and non-religious in nature.

The presentation will be in English and participants will have the chance to ask their questions.



Sincerely,
FIOC Board

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: FIOC Presentation - Trusts and Estate Planning on Saturday June 14 at 5 PM. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

04/13/2025

FIOC 13-Bedar Picnic

04/01/2025

Dear All,

Due to rainy weather forecasted for this Sunday, we have rescheduled the 13-Bedar Picnic to next Sunday, April 13, 2025. We hope to see you all there!

Regards,
FIOC