In May 2024, acclaimed actor and Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) Board Member Joe Manganiello embarked on a transformative journey. At the invitation of COAF, Manganiello, his girlfriend Caitlin O’Connor, and his dog Bubbles spent ten days in Armenia. During their stay, they explored his ancestral homeland and witnessed firsthand the vital role COAF plays in supporting rural communities.

For Manganiello, this trip was a homecoming. Joe’s great-grandmother, Terviz “Rose” Darakjian was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide and his grandmother, Sirarpi, was born in a refugee camp. In honor of their hardship, Joe planted a tree at the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, symbolizing the life and continuity of his lineage in Armenia.

Joe also had the opportunity to visit COAF’s SMART Center in Lori, a state-of-the-art educational hub that serves children form the surrounding villages. Here, he spent meaningful time with the students, engaging in discussions about acting, filmmaking, and storytelling. For both Joe and the students, it was a moment of connection that underscored the transformative power of education and the arts.

Manganiello also visited COAF’s Child and Family Center in the village of Karakert (Armavir region), where he joined children in a finger-painting activity. He witnessed firsthand how COAF’s programs change lives, from providing critical educational resources to fostering creativity and confidence in young minds. The experience left Manganiello moved by the joy he saw in the children.

In reflecting on his experiences and discoveries, Manganiello said, “I just love the fact that COAF has removed any sort of excuse whatsoever and given the kids the tools that they need to excel, to have access, to get out and see the world…It is changing the country inside out, it’s beautiful.”

Manganiello’s pilgrimage to Armenia was a journey through history and an exploration of identity, offering insights into an ancient civilization and his own personal legacy. It was also a powerful testament to the work COAF is doing to uplift the children and communities of Armenia, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

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