GLENDALE, CA, – We Are Gyumri marked a significant milestone in its philanthropic journey
with its latest Annual Dinner event, held last Thursday, November 7th. The dinner succeeded in
raising $20,000, a testament to the community’s unwavering commitment to fostering the growth
and development of Gyumri’s younger generation. Attended by nearly 100 patrons, the event was
a vibrant celebration aimed at supporting the ongoing and future initiatives of youth programs in
the region.
This year’s fundraising efforts are earmarked for the Shirvanian Youth Center (SYC) in Gyumri,
with plans to enhance its annual summer camp offerings and to bolster the Mina Shirvanian
Scholarship Program. The gathering saw a noteworthy assembly of representatives from several
esteemed organizations and bodies from the western region, including the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Central Committee (ARF-CC), Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF),
Armenian Youth Federation Central Executive (AYF-CE), Hamazkayin, and Armenian Youth
Federation Juniors Central Council (AYF-JCC), alongside various local Armenian Cultural
Foundation Chapters, showcasing a unified front in the pursuit of educational enrichment and
community development.
The evening’s agenda featured moving video presentations from SYC volunteers and staff,
highlighting the center’s critical educational and cultural initiatives. These initiatives have
significantly impacted the lives of Gyumri’s youth, particularly in light of the center’s recent
efforts to provide for the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh, thereby affirming its role as a
beacon of hope and resilience. The aura of the night was further enlivened with musical
renditions by the Ara Dabandjian Quartet, and the event was anchored by MC Nazeli
Khodabakhsh, who was excited to articulate the gathering’s core mission.
In her welcoming address, Khodabakhsh extended profound gratitude towards the philanthropic
community, acknowledging Mr. and Mrs. Vahik and Alice Petrossian for their consistent support.
She stated, “Our gathering tonight transcends mere celebration; it is a collective step forward
towards securing a brighter future for our youth. Every contribution tonight symbolizes a deep
investment in the education and empowerment of Gyumri’s young minds, essential for nurturing
the leaders of tomorrow and ensuring robust growth for Armenia.”
ARF-CC member, Armen K. Hovannisian, expressed his gratitude to the guests and donors for
their unwavering support, underscored the pivotal role and influence of the “We Are Gyumri”
project, and lastly, highlighted the invaluable contributions of the pioneering individuals who
have set precedents, made sacrifices, and inspired us to advocate for our shared ambitions and
aspirations today.
The highlight of the evening was a comprehensive presentation shedding light on the diverse
array of programs offered at the SYC, emphasizing its accessibility to every child and its pivotal
role during the crisis following the conflict in Artsakh. The center not only became a hub for essential aid distributionbut also spearheaded initiatives to address the psychological well-being of affected children, underscoring its importance in Gyumri’s social fabric.
Moreover, the event showcased the invaluable contributions of the Mina Shirvanian Scholarship
recipients through a special video that detailed their personal journeys and achievements,
underpinned by their commitment to volunteerism and community service. This presentation
vividly illustrated the transformative impact of collective support on the lives of Gyumri’s youth.
The mission of the “We Are Gyumri” initiative is to create a positive and lasting impact on youth
in Gyumri, Armenia. The campaign restructured and renovated the Shirvanian Youth Center in
Gyumri that had been destroyed during the 1988 Spitak earthquake. A year-round functional
program was created at the Center to teach youth in Gyumri everyday skills, to provide them
with the essentials they need for a brighter future, and to serve as a bridge between youth in
Gyumri and their peers in the Diaspora. As another component of the campaign, the “We Are
Gyumri” Mina Shirvanian Scholarship Fund is intended for residents of the Shirak Province to
pursue their undergraduate education in their native region. “We are Gyumri” is an ARF Western
U.S. Central Committee initiative.
