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“Hearts and Hands” for our 6th Annual AFSS Armenian Memorial Faith Build with Habitat for Humanity

In commemoration of the Armenian Genocide

On Saturday, April 2, 2011, the Armenian Family Support Services (AFSS) in collaboration with the Holy Trinity Armenian Church and Habitat for Humanity (HFH) – Toronto, held its 6^th annual Adopt-A-Day - Armenian Memorial Faith Build in Commemoration of the 96th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. It was a very successful build because of the 32 amazing people who brought their hearts and hands to join in building homes for the community. This was the largest group the William’s Way build site has seen!

Before we started building, Maida Icliates, Chairperson of the Armenian Family Support Services, started off with a heartwarming speech about why we are here to build and what the Armenian Memorial Faith Build signifies.  She spoke of the importance of April 24 and thanked Canada for officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide.  She also made us realize that as children of Genocide Survivors, we have an obligation to speak out against other genocides taking place, such as Darfur. Her speech was emotional but also very empowering. It made us all appreciate being there that day and realize that our purpose is to help build homes in honour of those that lost their homes in 1915.

Several of the HFH crew leaders and other volunteers approached Maida “Tantig” after her speech, inquiring and asking more questions about the Armenian Genocide, as they did not know the history. At that moment I realized how important this build really is, as I saw first-hand how powerful our actions really are, in educating the public of our history. Rev. Archpriest Fr .Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church, also shared his prayer and words of gratitude to the AFSS, Habitat for Humanity and a special thanks to the 32 participants.

Volunteers who participated in the build worked on various projects, such as insulating a basement, cutting wood, and even placing a full ceiling to complete an entire living room.   Overall, there was a sense of love and compassion from everyone working hard due to the physical labour involved and knowing that all the while that was going to help children have a home. Furthermore, the Armenian youth got to know each other while building homes for the community, all in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

We also had newcomer youth participating in the Armenian Memorial Faith Build and this was made possible through the generous donations from community members who sponsored their registration cost.  Their participation allowed them the opportunity to meet other members of the Armenian community, while giving back to their new Toronto community.

At lunch time, everyone had a great time enjoying the delicious pizza, which was provided by Habitat for Humanity. Following the pizza, we had a draw for some very exciting prizes.  Thanks to Maida Icliates, five Armenian crosses (made in Armenia) were gifted, a LUSH Gift Box (generously donated by LUSH Markville Mall), and tickets to the Blue Jays game for the next day (donated by Seza Nazarian).  The giveaways were very fun for the participants and it made the day that much more exciting.

All in all, it was a very inspirational build and made us all realize as families of survivors of the Armenian Genocide, we must voice ourselves, stand up for those that have or are experiencing a similar past and through positive actions such as participating in a build like this, we are able to educate the local community of our history. I would like to thank Maida “Tantig” and everyone at the AFSS, for the initiative in starting something very unique in our Armenian community and for continuing this important event for the past six years. I’m definitely looking forward to the 7^th year.

Aret Mazmanyan

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It was an amazing experience. This Armenian Memorial Faith Build allowed all of us to meet members of our Armenian community, while at the same time, contributing to a great cause.

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Habitat for Humanity is a homeownership program for hard-working families living in need of a decent, safe, and affordable home. Habitat for Humanity is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world and I was very honoured to be a part of something so wonderful.  It was my first year being a part of the Armenian Memorial Faith Build in Commemoration of the 96^th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

I was told we had to be at the construction site at eight o’clock in the morning, which in my mind is crazy because I am definitely not a morning person.  However, I knew that not going just because I wanted to sleep in would be stupid and selfish and I would miss out on a great opportunity.  I ended up being so right!  It was by far an amazing experience.  Not only was I helping out and making a change, but I had so much fun.  Although we are there to work, we also get the opportunity to meet lots of cool people and make new friends.  I had already brought a friend along to keep me company but I still got the chance to make new friendships.  Everyone everywhere deserves a decent place to live and this organization allows for that to happen. It’s a simple idea that changes lives. It changes families and it changes communities. Ultimately, it is an idea that is changing the world—one home, one family at a time.  If we all lend a hand and work together, we can build great things.  So the next time you get an opportunity to make a change and help make this world a better place, I encourage you to challenge yourself and do it.

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Karnig Icliates, age 17, says:

This is the second year I participated in the Armenian Memorial Faith Build. We were building on this site last year and it’s a cool thing to see some of the houses finished and already occupied with families.