Vibrantz For Vanadzor

Exciting outreach projects being developed with Vanadzor.

The Epostle team just returned from Vanadzor and is developing various outreach projects with the community there which are very exciting and heart opening. The photos below are a sneak peak of what’s to come which includes: 1. An entrepreneurial sewing group. 2. A living bridge via innovative technology connecting youth groups with the international community. 3. Mentorship programs to inspire the next generation of hope, the youth and young adults.

Donate To Support Vibrantz For Vanadzor

( Click Vibrantz for Vanadzor from drop down menu. )

Silk For Vanadzor

Fashion Design Masterclass Fundraiser to Empower Women in Vanadzor, Armenia

Silk scarves, design and the plight of Armenian refugees were all a part of the discussion at a unique event that took place on Sunday, October 12, in Pasadena, sponsored by Epostle.net’s outreach program, “Vibrantz for Vanadzor.”

Supporters of the program were treated to a wonderful afternoon of instruction on the art of painting silk scarves by international fashion designer, Kevork Shadoyan. This acted as an introduction to the fashion design, and more importantly to the Vibrance for Vanadzor sewing program, in its first year of operation.

Following the occupation of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, thousands of Armenians were exiled from their historic homeland, known as Nagorna Kharabakh. Without home, work, or resources, these refugees found haven in Armenia but the road to self-reliance has been marred by lack of opportunities inside of Armenia, especially in regions such as Vanadzor (third largest city in Armenia, behind Yerevan and Gyumri).

In 2024 Epostle’s outreach arm, under the banner of Vibrantz for Vanadzor worked with the local Church (Diocese of Gougark, headed by Bishop Hovnan Hakopian) to provide support for a sewing program, teaching women basic sewing skills and furnishing them with sewing machines as the foundation to build self-worth, leading to financial self-reliance.

During the Masterclass, participants had an opportunity to watch videos from the sewing program, and hear updates from Dr. Talar Tejirian, who heads the Vibrantz program for Epostle and coordinates activities with the Vanadzor team. Money collected from this event will be used to enhance and develop the sewing program to include special instructions by fashion designer Kevork Shadoyan. Thanks to the success of this event, Shadoyan is scheduled to begin working with the sewing group in Vanadzor within the next several weeks.

Click To View Silk For Vanadzor

Vanadzor Sewing Program

On July 15, there was a happy celebration in the basement hall of the large church in Vanadzor, Armenia. At first glance, it appeared to be another graduation ceremony, but this was much more. It was a time to witness smiles returning to faces that had, for too long, shed tears and dealt with grief and loss compounded by the uncertainty of relocation. A group of women, who, along with their families, had been displaced from their homes in Artsakh, received a second chance, a chance to start over. Each woman completed months of sewing and tailoring training as part of a special opportunity organized by the Gougark Diocese. They spent several hours a week learning how to design and sew clothing, while studying business principles and practicing techniques to improve their physical and mental health. Each graduate, on completing their course of study, was awarded a brand-new sewing machine for them to create their own products and start their own small business ventures.

Click To View Vanadzor Sewing Program

Cars & Coffee 2024

The 2024 Cars & Coffee for Artsakh Refugee Relief took place at the St. Leon Ghevontyants Armenian Cathedral on December 15. Participants displayed their vehicles while attendees had an opportunity to be a part of this fund raiser which assists refugees in the city of Vanadzor Armenia. Labeled as Vibrantz for Vanadzor, the outreach program brings relief to families in exile since 2023. Close to $20,000 in relief aid was raised in the course of two hours. Details of donors and activities to come.

Click To View Cars & Coffee 2024

Cars & Coffee 2023

In July of this year, Arek traveled to Vanadzor, a town in Armenia about 2 hours north of Yerevan, to personally distribute the $8100 to families from Artsakh who had relocated to Vanadzor. Arek and a small group of volunteers met with the 25 families who each received $300. Each family was allowed time to discuss their personal stories and struggles. Each situation was unique; however, the difficulties and heartache were ubiquitous. Families forced to flee their homeland, leaving behind everything they had built over a lifetime, often with limited time and space to pack their entire lives into a small car, if they were lucky to have one. Some lived on land with farms, fields, and vineyards they had spent years growing and cultivating, but were now forced to live in a tiny, torn down apartment in a building which could only be described as a slum. Others had businesses they had to abandon. Some were even professionals who had left behind their diplomas and now were forced to work as unskilled laborers just to put food on the table. The most heartbreaking were those individuals who had lost multiple family members in the war or during the gas explosion. They were so heartbroken that all they could say was “I cannot share my story with you.”