$65,000
goal
130
beneficiary
Shirak
region
remaining days
Project Goal
Ayo! is proud to partner with the Gyumri Information Technology Center (GITC) on a transformative initiative designed to empower women to turn their skills into viable businesses, with a focus on developing core competencies in business, marketing, and finance.
Project Background
This innovative program is tailored for women—many of whom are single mothers or displaced from Artsakh—who already possess a craft, trade, or creative talent and are ready to build it into a sustainable source of income. This initiative centers on equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to launch and grow their own ventures. Training modules will cover business planning, budgeting, pricing strategies, digital marketing, branding, and more. Participants will also receive mentorship and have access to seed funding through a dedicated grant program designed to support both solo entrepreneurs and collaborative startups.
Shirak remains one of Armenia's most economically vulnerable regions, with poverty and unemployment rates significantly higher than the national average. As of 2020, the poverty rate reached 48.4%, with child poverty at 57.7%, compounded by the long-term effects of the 1988 earthquake.
Despite these challenges, Gyumri is seeing signs of revival. GITC, established by FAR in 2005, has played a pivotal role in this recovery. While primarily focused on tech education, GITC is now broadening its mission to include entrepreneurial development. By supporting women in transforming their skills into businesses, GITC is helping to create jobs, strengthen families, and foster economic resilience in the region.
Vahe Hovhannisyan
Alison Derderian
Anna Barikyan
Harvest Prude
John & Debra Shahinian
Koruin Vartevan
Levon & Catherine Minnetyan
Ralph Arzoomanian
Debra R. Halejian-Duckman
Robert Ishkanian
Mary Boyajian
Nora Tossounian
Joyce Manucharyan
Nancy Kalajian
Nerissa Smith
Anaies Avidisiany
Joseph & Ani Berberian
Kelegian Family Trust
Tatevik Mccorkle
Arin Piramzadian
Katherine Guroian
Catherine R. Minassian
Cynthia Tezaris
Aram & Knarik Arkun
Zela Astajian
Alla Belubekian
Ms. Zepour
Katrina Menzigian
Arthur & Lynn Beylerian
Mariam Karapetyan
Andre Andonian
Sintia Petrosian
nayiree sarkisian
Dorothy Fort
Alis Marachelian
Avedis H. & Anna Seferian
Michael & MaryJan Kelly
Laura Boyajian
MaryJan Kelly
Margaret Kiladjian
Julia Kew
Sam & Lucine Kapreilian
Viken Babikian
Raffi Festekjian
Suzanne Ekchian
Caroline Ekchian
Armina Manoukian
Naira Balagylozian
Tanvi Gupta
Gayane Baloyan
Lisa Boyajian
Tyler Whitby
Gregory Toufayan
Carine Avakian
Sargis Meliksetyan
Meline Deukmedjian
Reyna Tutunjian
Tara Torossian
Shannon King
Isabelle Sirounian
Leo Dadian
Aram Andonian
Cynthia Ghannam
Brett & Katharine Wiley
Gayane Ghukasyan
Aleen Ostayan
Peter Bogosian
Sam Oldham
Sandra Benlian
Janice Young
Viken Dumeciyan
St. James Armenian Church Women's Guild
Holly Malkasian Staudinger
Anna Ohanyan
Mary Telfeyan
Mary B. Aroian
Deb Bonar
Erick Miller
Edward Dervishian
Sosi Hagopian
Adriane Bonfiglio
Lori Dorian
Christine Bahtiarian
Alexander Garen
Nancy Barsamian
LuAnn Sabounjian
Tyler Whitby
Haike Engoyan
Bethany Robinson
Arshen & Yn. Sirarpi Aivazian
Jack F. Yaghdjian
Alexander J. Vartanian
Brenda Tavitian
St. David Armenian Apostolic Church
Debra N. Sarkisian
Joan Quinn
Cheryl Ohanesian
Sylvia A. Migridichian
Margaret Masmanian
Sylvia Kruizenga
Gary Khachian
Bedros Kazazian
Richard Kazanjian
Raffi A. Kayayan
John A. Kasparian
Armen Kabodian
Ara Hourdajian
Cordelia B. & C.D. Horan
Christian Garabedian
Armig Ferris
Violet Mirzoyan Dadekian
Ara Boghigian
Michael D. Bebirian
Mark J. Badach
Ghayaneh Amikhani
Sarah Stauderman
Daughters of Vartan Hripsime Otyag
Hasmik Davtyan
Armenian Church of Our Savior
Armenian Church at Hye Pointe
Greta Janigian
Vardges Taktakyan
Julia Perez
Manankichian Kederian
Jay Kapur
Charles Tutunjian
Lisa Kouzoujian
Sofia Donikyan
Chris Bonfiglio
Joseph Comisford
Mamigon Kiledjian
Karine Vega
Tatevik Bagiryan
Anoush Oconnor
Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Sunday School
Angela Sarukhanyan
Rouzanna Oganissian
James Wilson
Rebecca Bagdasarian
Barry Ard Halejian
ACYOA Juniors - Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection
Women's Guild Central Council
St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church
Violet Cholakian
Roswita Apkarian Fragomeni
St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church
Samuel Gevorgyan
St. Mesrob Armenian Church
Mihran A. Aroian
Sts. Vartananz Armenian Church
Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church
St. Leon Armenian Church - Women's Guild
Marina Ter-Sargsyan
St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church
Fr. Krikor A. Sabounjian
Katherine Meranian
Jeff J. Masoian
Charles Bazarian
Joyce Avedisian
sergey badalyan
Deb Dagavarian-Bonar
Gregory Toufayan
St. Leon Armenian Church
Laura Rensel
Krikor Norsigian
Nyree Masoian
Carl J. Bazarian
Meline Toufayan
Mike Kalajian
Margarit Piliposyan
Ari Terjanian
Lorie R. Odabashian
Edmond Martirosyan
Haroutyoun Margossian
Natalie Mardirossian
Zach Kowalski
Kristina Khachaturyan
Nele Keshishian
Hrachya Janikian
Christianne Goodwin
Gary Gengozian
Boghos Gauro
Aram Adourian
Anna Vardanyan
Aline Tashjian
Sarah Stites
Fr. Shnork Souin
Arin Parsanian
David Onanian
James Moresco
Caroline Kernan
Yeprem Kelegian
Adrine Katchadurian
Aleen Kaltakdjian
Stephen Haroian
Ara Hacet
Kathryn A A. Geyer
Jeanette Derhagopian
Jonathan Campbell
Francis Bulbulian
Ohannes L. Bezazian
Annie Bakerdjian
Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs
Supporters
188
Partner
February 27, 2024
Created on:
