Glendale, CA – As we commemorate the 36th anniversary of the Spitak Earthquake, “We Are
Gyumri” continues to honor the resilience and unity that emerged from one of the most
challenging periods in Armenian history. This date not only reflects on the past hardships but
also celebrates the collective spirit of recovery and growth within the Gyumri community,
significantly supported through initiatives like those offered by the Shirvanian Youth Center.
Since its establishment nearly 9 years ago, the Shirvanian Youth Center has become a
cornerstone of development and enrichment in Gyumri, contributing substantially to the local
community through a variety of programs. Our commitment extends beyond recovery, focusing
on fostering a resilient, dynamic, and sustainable community. Central to our efforts is the
empowerment of our youth, ensuring they inherit and perpetuate Gyumri’s rich cultural heritage
and community spirit.
A testament to our mission’s success is the achievements of our scholarship recipients. These
young individuals embody the ideals “We Are Gyumri” promotes, not only excelling in their
academic and professional pursuits but also actively giving back to their community. They
volunteer their time and skills at the center, playing pivotal roles in mentoring younger
participants and leading community service projects. Their contributions demonstrate a tangible
cycle of growth and giving that underscores the center’s role in cultivating future leaders who are
deeply rooted in their community’s welfare and progress.
With the holiday season approaching, “We Are Gyumri”, as in previous years, has launched its
annual toy drive. Our goal is to shed light and love upon the festive season by fundraising to gift
Christmas toys to the children of Gyumri. Our focus is especially on those young hearts who
have been uprooted from their ancestral lands in Artsakh and have found a new beginning in
Gyumri.
As “We Are Gyumri” looks toward the future, we are driven by a vision where Gyumri thrives as
an epicenter of Armenian culture, innovation, and community life. Our initiatives, particularly
those aiming to support Artsakh’s youth, are crafted to ensure all Armenian children have access
to opportunities that will foster their growth, learning, and empowerment.
In marking this landmark year, we invite communities to join our journey of remembering our
past whilst steadfastly working towards a hopeful and cohesive future. Through the Shirvanian
Youth Center and its impactful programs, “We Are Gyumri” is not just a promise of a brighter
tomorrow for Gyumri’s youth but a flourishing testament to what can be achieved when a
community unites for the common good.
The mission of the “We Are Gyumri” committee 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.
