A Bold Step Toward Armenia’s Future
In a moving show of unity and purpose, the Bay Area Armenian community gathered at the prestigious Orinda Country Club on March 29 for the Miaseen organization’s inaugural Benefit Gala and Silent Auction. The event marked a significant milestone in support of Miaseen Hub Kapan, a transformative initiative dedicated to empowering youth in Armenia’s Syunik province.
The evening brought together a dynamic group of supporters, united by a shared vision: to invest in Armenia’s future by investing in its youth.
The Miaseen Hub Kapan is not just a physical space, it’s a bold reimagining of opportunity in a region that deserves it most. Designed to be a vibrant center for learning, creativity, and connection, the Hub will offer modern resources, skill-building programs, and opportunities for community-led innovation. It will host bootcamp-style training, vocational education, and visiting professionals from the diaspora. On-site accommodations will support workshop leaders and generate sustainable income for the Hub through Airbnb-style rentals.
Above all, it will serve as a platform to build bridges, connecting the youth of Kapan to opportunities across Armenia and beyond.
Thanks to generous donations from sponsors, guests, and the silent auction, the event raised the initial funding required to begin construction. The property for the Hub has already been acquired, and renovation and architectural plans are being led by Shant Charoian, a Harvard GSD-trained architect based in Yerevan. Every dollar raised from the gala will directly support the construction and activation of the Hub.
The evening was hosted by Bay Area radio personality St. John (Paul Sisoian) of 99.7 NOW and featured a soulful performance by Lena Dakessian-Halteh of Arax Dance. The program included a powerful lineup of speakers, each offering personal perspectives on the urgency and promise of Miaseen’s mission.
Miaseen’s founder and executive director, Maria Sarkisian, opened the evening with a heartfelt welcome, sharing the origins of the initiative and her vision for its long-term impact.
Cheryl Edison, global business growth advisor, emphasized the importance of building for the future now. Drawing from her recent 28-event speaking tour in Armenia, she called for spaces of innovation that empower entrepreneurship and inspire possibility.
Sheila Paylan, international human rights lawyer and war crimes investigator, shared her personal journey of relocating to Armenia, highlighting the critical need for active engagement from diasporan Armenians. “While conducting a study in Syunik, I saw firsthand the lack of opportunities for youth aged 18 to 35. The Miaseen Hub directly fills that gap—offering tools, skills, and connections that empower young people to build their future right at home.”
Michael Goorjian, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and director of Amerikatsi, spoke to the power of experience in shaping young lives. “The Miaseen Hub will give someone a chance, an experience, that could change the course of their life,” he said. “And that’s exactly what you’re supporting.”
The keynote address was delivered by Garo Paylan, former member of the Turkish Parliament and current visiting scholar with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. In a deeply resonant speech, Paylan emphasized that the path to a strong Armenia is through meaningful, community-led action.
He went on to stress that the work of strengthening Armenia is not just the duty of those living there, it belongs to all Armenians, everywhere. “Whether you are a teacher, an engineer, an entrepreneur—your skills can make a difference. Miaseen is creating a model for how we can all contribute. Not through politics or endorsements, but through action—through building spaces that empower our youth, foster innovation, and spark connection between Armenia and its global diaspora.”
The Gala’s success is a testament to the power of collective action. Miaseen extends its deepest gratitude to the Gala Organizing Committee – Aline Aghababian, Ani Ekmekjian, Tamar Kilijian, Sheila Paylan, and Zara Galstyan, for their dedication and tireless work in bringing this vision to life.
As Miaseen breaks ground on the Hub Kapan, this moment marks the beginning of a new chapter, one that uplifts youth, inspires innovation, and connects Armenians around the world in pursuit of a shared future.
To learn more or contribute to the project, visit the Miaseen website.
Miaseen is a U.S.- and Armenia-based nonprofit dedicated to sustainable, community-driven development in rural Armenia. Founded during the 2020 Artsakh War to provide emergency relief, Miaseen has since evolved to focus on long-term impact—particularly youth empowerment in border regions. Through projects that bridge local needs with diasporan expertise, Miaseen believes that Armenia’s brightest future lies in collective effort.
