September 10, 2024
Paige Haehlke
Dr. Gary Assarian ’74 leads philanthropic efforts in Armenia
Dr. Gary Assarian ’74 and his wife, Linda, have led and invested in many ventures and businesses to support the social and economic development of the people of Armenia since 2014. Their philanthropic efforts range from supporting the country’s natural ecosystem through a reforestation project to funding a vocational training program.
A first-generation college student from Michigan, Assarian applied only to Lake Forest College. He initially majored in history, but after developing an interest in cellular biology, he decided to attend medical school to pursue a career as an anatomic and clinical pathologist.
Gary and Linda, both of Armenian descent, traveled to Armenia together in 2017. During their visit, they were inspired to expand their efforts to make a difference in the lives of the Armenian people.
“I thought to myself, ‘What is our legacy going to be? What should we focus on to have a lasting impact?’” Assarian said. “I wanted to give the people of Armenia a livelihood and opportunity.”
The next step was to research and find organizations he could trust. Over the past several years, he has invested in and become involved with various organizations, including the Debi Arach Children’s Center, which aims to break the cycle of poverty in the Gyumri area, Armenia’s second largest city, by improving children’s mental health.
“It’s not just about the children’s physical health,” Assarian said. “Someone has to say, ‘You’re not alone.’”
The Assarians’ philanthropic support also addresses gender barriers and stereotypes in Armenia by improving opportunities available for women. Assarian serves on the Board of Directors of GOALS, an organization that uses athletics to create social impact by equipping youth–especially girls–with the confidence and skills to face and overcome challenges in sports and other areas of their lives.
“We realize that equity and gender equality will be a difficult barrier to overcome, but we are making real progress,” Assarian said. “Our aim is not to have people leave their local area but to stay and flourish in that environment.”
Another significant project is the Assarian Vocational Training Program at the Lentex Textile Factory outside of Gyumri. This program offers vocational training in various fields that cater to many local industries. Recently, they launched a new round of sewing training for 15 participants, with each expected to be hired as a full-time employee of the factory upon completion.
“It is heartening how successful program participants have been,” Assarian said. “Through vocational training, people are able to have a marketable skill and thus have meaningful employment opportunities, breaking the cycle of poverty.”
Their current focus now is on developing a social enterprise model around the vocational programs and related business ventures, generating returns that will sustain these programs over time and create opportunities for growth and long-term sustainability.
“We are most proud of our efforts to establish an operating cosmetology school, which has trained over 100 students,” Assarian said. “We have also developed a honeybee business that generates around three thousand pounds of honey annually, all of which is sold in Armenia.”
The Assarians’ philanthropic efforts in Armenia are significantly improving the lives of many. Gary and Linda are also proud supporters of Lake Forest College, having funded an annual student scholarship for nearly two decades. Assarian is grateful to the College for inspiring him to make a difference and for planting the seeds of his future success.
“I tried to take advantage of all the opportunities the College offered,” Assarian said. “The College offered a great environment to learn and mature. It served to help me understand the process of embracing a challenge and seeing it through.”