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GABRIEL STAURING NAMED 2008 IN HIS SHOES PERSON OF THE YEAR
FOR EXEMPLARY WORK
IN DARFUR
In His Shoes Ministries is pleased to announce that Gabriel Stauring is the recipient of its 2008 Person of the Year. On September 5, 2008, Stauring will be awarded the honor at the Barnsdall Art Gallery in Hollywood, California.
(Pictured: Katie-Jay, Gabriel Stauring and Fr. Vazken)
The Recipient
Gabriel Stauring is the Co-founder and Director of Stop Genocide Now. He has worked as a Family Consultant, providing in-home therapy for abused children and their families. He graduated from California State University at Dominguez Hills with a major in Behavioral Science. Gabriel became involved in the Darfur Genocide cause out of a sense of personal responsibility. He believes in the power of community and compassion, combined with personal empowerment, to bring about meaningful, positive change. Gabriel has two children and lives in Redondo Beach, CA. Some of the campaigns initiated and/or led by Gabriel include the 100-Day Fast for Darfur, 100,000 postcards to legislators, Darfur Freedom Summer Vigils, Camp Darfur, and i-ACT, among many other grassroots actions and presentations. He has visited the refugee camps on the Chad-Darfur border five times.
Currently, Gabriel is at the Chad-Darfur border, working with refugees and documenting the on-going Genocide. His latest visit coincides with the start of the Olympics in China, to bring attention to China’s involvement in the perpetuating Genocide. He will be returning with pictures, videos and personal reflections to share with the public on September 5 at the Person of the Year presentation event.
In His Shoes
In His Shoes is an organization
which rallies support for those who suffer in the world. In His Shoes was
created in response to the Genocide
perpetrated against the Armenian nation in
1915. In His Shoes believes people who have experienced suffering have a
responsibility to stand and walk with others in search for peace and justice.
In His Shoes rallied support for Assembly Bill 2941 (CA) and 2179 which divested California and the University of California systems from the Sudan. (read more)
(Pictured from the Governor Schwarzenegger's signing, with former Secretary of State Schultz, actors Don Cheadle and George Clooney) Documentation is available in the movie, Darfur Now.
The recipient of the first Person of the Year Award was Ben Kayumba of Rwanda for his exemplary models of justice through forgiveness. The award was presented at a conference organized by In His Shoes, a mission of the Armenian Church Youth Ministries, on July 7, 2007 at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California. Archives of the event can be found at www.7x77.org
Why Name a Person of the Year?
The parallels between the Armenian Genocide and Darfur are striking. Most noticeable is the world’s silence. Darfur is genocide in the happening. The Person of the Year award was created to recognize an individual for living up to the goals of the In His Shoes philosophy, but even more, it is an opportunity to bring attention and focus to the reality of genocide. Darfur is the first genocide of the 21st century. It can be the last, if the world community rises against this terror.
(Pictured: Ben & Stephanie Kayumba of Rwanda, Gregory Beylerian, Letecia Aguirre, Fr. Vazken, Suzie Shatarevyan, Anita Isagholian)
The September 5 Event
The Person of the Year presentation takes place at the Barnsdall Gallery at 4800 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, California. Attendance is by ticket and is available from ItsMySeat.com or by calling (626) 275-2636. Donation: $40.
The event begins at 7:00 PM with an outdoor reception on the Barnsdall Gallery lawn. Renowned artist Gregory Beylerian will unveil his creation “7x77” which reflects the celebration of forgiveness and peace. This will be a worldwide unveiling with comments from the artist.
Musical artist, Gor Mkhitarian will present two selections from his upcoming CD of new-spirit music, collaborated with the Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Director of the In His Shoes Ministries. Also, Gor will present a special music video for the day.
The presentation takes place in the Barnsdall Theater. Gabriel Stauring will share videos and pictures for his Darfur trip. He will be assisted and accompanied by members of his team.
For more information about the event and to see video broadcasts from Gabriel’s latest trip to Chad, visit InHisShoes.org