In August 2023, Stacey Terterian left sunny Southern California to experience Armenia’s breathtaking highlands, rivers, and rich history. The dedicated staff of the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) welcomed her with open arms and presented several placement options. Drawn to work with children, Stacey chose the Kharberd Specialized Orphanage, an organization that supports youngsters with diverse disabilities. Most of the children use wheelchairs and cannot speak; nevertheless, they discovered their own unique ways to communicate. Stacey’s daily routine included preparing breakfast and lunch, guiding the children to the courtyard for fresh air, and sharing moments beneath lush grapevines while listening to music and watching videos of the Pacific Ocean on her phone. The way their almond‑shaped eyes lit up with amazement will stay with her forever.
After her stint at the orphanage, Stacey completed military and first‑aid training with VOMA, an NGO dedicated to strengthening Armenia’s defenses. She was also selected by the American University of Armenia’s communications team to narrate the 2023 year‑end review video.
During this period, Armenia buzzed with activity. Yerevan’s cafés and restaurants were constantly full, music spilled from nightclubs, and citizens and tourists filled the streets to enjoy the crisp autumn air. However, the situation in Artsakh had already turned into a nightmare, and it was poised to worsen even more.
On 26 September 2023, along with two other volunteers, Stacey instinctively headed to Goris ,ground zero to confront the chaos that would become a historic moment.On 19 September, 120,000 Artsakh residents were forced to abandon their homes, livelihoods, and everything they owned in what has been described as a modern-day genocide. Arriving hours before the first bus of displaced families, Stacey received a call from Arina Zohrabian, AVC’s director, who asked her to observe conditions and report critical needs. Volunteers from AVC and Birthright arrived over the next few days, leading to the formation of a rapid response team in partnership with World Central Kitchen. Stacey believes she helped shape this team, enabling it to reach as many displaced Artsakh residents as possible.
After returning from Goris, AVC connected Stacey with The Armenian Project (TAP), which invited her to write an essay about her eyewitness experience. The piece was picked up by The Fresno Bee and the same newspaper that had published her father Vahan Terterian’s obituary after his tragic death in a 1980 robbery. Born in Fresno, Stacey recalls strolling through her father’s apple orchards and the sudden loss she endured at age three. The coincidence of both father and daughter appearing in the same paper felt like a sign, reinforcing her resolve to amplify Artsakh’s story. She later gave an interview to The Armenian Weekly, further extending her voice.
The five days in Goris crystallized Stacey’s purpose. She returned. Back in Los Angeles for two weeks, Stacey used the trip to gather winter clothing for Armenia and to visit her mother’s gravesite.While sitting beside the stone, she recalled a conversation from shortly before her mother’s passing:
“Stace, my darling, I just want you to be healthy and content.”
The recollection brought her calm; she felt her mother’s presence giving her the “green light” to stay.
Since returning to Armenia, Stacey has volunteered with AGBU, a partner organization of AVC. She has traveled across the country, meeting hundreds of displaced families and distributing heaters, blankets, food boxes, and clothing. In December 2023, she helped organize Christmas parties, wrapping and delivering thousands of gifts to local children and those from Artsakh.The laughter and joy she witnessed reinforced her belief that “it is better to give than receive.”
Stacey’s journey has convinced her that she is exactly where she needs to be. She sees her parents as guardian angels guiding her through an unpredictable path, and she credits AVC as the catalyst that deepened her love for Armenia with every step she takes toward repatriating and strengthening her homeland.
She encourages everyone, from those simply curious about Armenia to members of the diaspora and prospective volunteers, to discover the country’s endless beauty, unmatched hospitality, genuine charm, and magical mystery. Her message is straightforward: Armenia needs you!
Stacey’s story is more than a personal memoir. It is testament to the power of diaspora engagement, the resilience of a people under siege, and the transformative impact of volunteerism. From caring for children in a specialized orphanage to documenting a humanitarian crisis, from confronting loss to finding purpose, Stacey has turned tragedy into a lifelong commitment to her ancestral land. Her experience illustrates how a single individual can become a bridge between continents, cultures, and generations, honoring the memory of her parents while forging a future for Armenia’s displaced families. As she continues her work with AVC, AGBU, and other partners, Stacey embodies the belief that when purpose aligns with love, the path forward becomes unmistakably clear and legacy of hope with resilience. Stacey not only expands her own life but also inspires countless others to transform their struggles into powerful legacies for future generations.