We mostly read about how parents inspire their offspring, this is quite the opposite. In recent years, several parents of Birthright Armenia volunteers traveled to Armenia not just as visitors but as volunteers, just like their children! Some made this decision after visiting their children in Armenia, while others did so years after. Each time, we were ready to customize their journey. We’re dedicating this piece to the amazing parents who were inspired by their children and did AVC’s Senior Corps including: Daniela’s dad, Avo, Phoebe’s parents, Michael and Daria, Sarah’s parents, Robert and Donna, and Anna’s dad, Shahin. To all the parents reading this piece who want to experience Armenia, we are here to customize your contributions in the most impactful way. And to all the kids reading this, it’s high time to motivate your parents to make a difference!

“Seeing our daughter immerse herself in the culture and community made us realize we could do more than just visit — we could contribute,”
– Michael Kasparian, USA

The Kasparians: From visiting their daughter to volunteering

Michael and Daria Kasparian from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, were also inspired by their daughter Phoebe’s experience with Birthright Armenia (as seen in the top right corner of the title picture, where the Kasparian family is featured). They first visited Phoebe in Armenia while she was volunteering, and decided to meet the AVC team to consider turning their simple visit into a meaningful volunteer journey. They returned months later to volunteer. Michael, who hadn’t visited Yerevan since 1979, was struck by Armenia’s rapid development and chose to use his background in organizational management to support local initiatives. He worked closely with the local chapter of the Knights of Vartan, helping to edit documents and fundraise for displaced Armenians from Artsakh. Because he wholeheartedly believes in AVC’s mission, Michael is also helping get the word out through his involvement with the Armenian Church. Daria, a retired public school teacher, brought her decades of experience to Armenian classrooms, connecting with students across various provinces.

Shahin Hartooni: Cultivating a greener Armenia in his 70s

Shahin, from Toronto, Canada, accompanied his daughter to Armenia for her Birthright Armenia program and decided to extend his stay by volunteering with AVC (as seen in the top left corner of the title picture, where he is featured with his daughter). With a deep interest in agriculture, Shahin worked with Green Lane Agricultural Assistance, supporting sustainable farming practices in Dzoraghbyur. Though his time in Armenia was short, Shahin found great fulfillment in contributing to making Armenian greener. He just returned for a second stint of volunteering in July 2024 and plans to return again but for a longer period. He hopes to encourage his friends and family to join him in this rewarding endeavor. “I decided to volunteer with AVC in my 70s. By volunteering in agriculture, I was happy to have made a small contribution to a greener Armenia,” he explains.

Avo Gazal: Working with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute

“Every Armenian should come to Armenia to volunteer, at least once in their lifetime,” says Avedis (Avo) Gazal (as seen in the bottom left corner of the title picture with Daniela Gazal). As a dedicated member of New York’s Armenian community, he decided to follow in his daughter’s footsteps. Originally from Turkey, Avo had always felt a strong connection to his Armenian roots, which led him to volunteer with AVC’s Senior Corps. During his month-long stay, he worked with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, contributing to preserving Armenian history, as he wanted to for so long. There, he leveraged his fluency in Turkish to translate exhibits, helping the museum reach a broader audience. Avo’s commitment to this work extended beyond his time in Armenia, as he continues to assist with translations remotely.

Robert and Donna Stites: A family tradition of service

Robert and Donna Stites from Virginia joined AVC’s Senior Corps in 2022 (as seen in the bottom left corner of the title picture with the Stites family and villagers). Their daughter Sarah moved to Gyumri permanently in 2019 after her 2018 volunteering experience with Birthright Armenia. With a background in nonprofit management and education, Donna volunteered at the Youth Palace and Gyumri American Corner, teaching English to local students and adults. Robert, who transitioned from chemistry to software quality assurance, contributed his expertise to PADC LLC, helping streamline processes by introducing the concept of peer reviews and additionally preparing the company to eventually apply for ISO certification.

To all the parents who helped make your children’s volunteering journey a reality, now it’s YOUR turn! Join us!
Ever wondered what your kids went through as volunteers? Try it for yourself and experience it firsthand. The experiences of Avo, the Kasparians, the Stites, Shahin, and many more demonstrate that it’s never too late to make a difference. Whether it’s reconnecting with roots, sharing professional expertise, or simply giving back, AVC provides a platform for meaningful engagement in Armenia.

What are you waiting for? Take the leap and start your own journey with AVC today!