In 2013, Gyumri will have a new model disability care center composed of therapeutic, informational, and vocational training centers as well as public parks for children and youth with multiple disabilities. The project is a long-term dream of Armenian Caritas that was made possible by the cooperation of Caritas Austria/Vorarlberg Diocese.

In 2013, Gyumri will have a new model disability care center composed of therapeutic, informational, and vocational training centers as well as public parks for children and youth with multiple disabilities. The project is a long-term dream of Armenian Caritas that was made possible by the cooperation of Caritas Austria/Vorarlberg Diocese. The center was designed by famous architect Richard Nikolussi, and will have all modern rehabilitation facilities with the capacity to serve 100 children and youth. It will be situated on the 25,500 m2 of land at the end of ParuyrSevak Street in the Ani District, next to the Austrian District, in Gyumri, Armenia. Half of the required amount for the construction has been already raised. Caritas Austria and Caritas Armenia are continuing their joint fundraising efforts and are planning to start construction work in the spring.The issues that children with disabilities face daily have been key concerns for Armenian Caritas almost from the very first day of its foundation. But it was only in 2008 that the organization was able to launch the “Aregak” day care center in Gyumri for 30 children with multiple disabilities.

Research done in the field shows that children with multiple disabilities and their families face significant social, economic, educational, and healthcare difficulties. The overwhelming majority of the families with disabled children live in extreme poverty or bad social-economic conditions, the children are often excluded from social activities, and there are no institutions providing social and developmental services for them. From this perspective, “Aregak” day care center has been able to address many of these issues and provide its beneficiaries with the opportunity to gain basic operational skills for their daily lives. The “Aregak” day care center also allows children with disabilities to participate in social events and leisure activities that give the children a leading role. Children at the “Aregak” day care facility also receive psychological support, medical care, special education, physiotherapy, art and music therapy, life skills development, and nourishment.

But the “Aregak” facility has age limitations for the beneficiaries, and when children have to leave “Aregak” at the age of 15, they must return to their previous reality of social exclusion. This can cause a deeper depression among our attendees, because they had an opportunity to experience an inclusive social reality and suddenly they move again into isolation.
This new center is designed to serve 100 children and youth with disabilities, without age restrictions. Besides numerous therapeutic and training facilities, the center will also have areas open to the general public to socialize, to relax, and to be involved in the social life of the center.