By Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri | Founder & Executive Director
Dear friends,
As you all know, we celebrated our ten-year anniversary in August. What a joy it has been to witness the unfolding of this labor of love, to behold such bravery in our staff and community, to see our residents grow and change and heal and laugh. While I could not be present for the celebration, I sent this tribute to our residents:
I have had the great pleasure and honor of knowing and loving the residents of Warm Hearth for a long time. I think it is safe to say that we have grown up together.
Roman, Gayane, Alina, Susanna, Yulia, Davit, Sassoon, Anna, Hasmik, Anahit, Armine, Agappy, Davo, and Arsen, you’re a part of my heart and my love for you runs so deep. Some of you became family to me over 12 years ago, when I met you in Kapan. Others of you became family to me when you first came to live in your forever home at Jermik Ankyun.
However you became family to me, it is irrevocable. And my life is so much richer and better and full of love because of you.
You show me what it means to live with courage and hope, with strength and vulnerability. I celebrate ten years of Jermik Ankyun being open because of you – because you have a home, and a safe place and love in your life. Today is your celebration. It’s a celebration of your home, the staff, all of the people who believe in you, all the people here today. And I know that each person here today will be blessed by each of you -- by what you have to give the world, by the sweetness and the beauty of your presence.
Thank you to all of you for celebrating with us – for marking these ten amazing years. And these fourteen amazing individuals.
Sincerely Yours,
Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri
Founder & Executive Director
By Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri | Founder & Executive Director
By Yelena Kirakosyan | Armenia Country Director
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