Founder of One Human Community

The idea of One Human Community as a peer support group was conceived of by Avo Keshishyan, a husband, father, employee, artist and homeowner who personally experienced the impact of the 2008 Great Recession. Frustrated with his own battles with faceless institutions, he wondered why the community doesn’t rally in support of those who either suffer hardship or attempt to recover from it.

Avo and his family have recovered from their crisis. His own suffering however brought him to the conclusion that a community that would provide peer-to-peer support is badly needed. That’s why Avo Keshishyan decided to take the first step himself and created One Human Community.

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.”  George Bernard Shaw

How was Avo able to help others while recovering from a financial disaster himself? We each have something to give! His children (he has two) were outgrowing their clothing; Avo passed it to other families in need. His personal trials gave him plenty of first hand experience and a new skill set that he knew many others can benefit from. His experience and good will were enough to get the community started. The demand made it grow.

If you have trouble imagining One Human Community as a reality, remind yourself of (or ask someone who survived) the 1994 Northridge quake. We all asked each other (even strangers!) how they are and whether or not they need help. We were color, ethnicity and money-blind. We were all in it together. One specie, each of us experiencing pain and fear the same way. Thankfully, for now at least, we’re not confronting a natural disaster. Still, the different type of pain and fear that is rampant today requires the same level of caring and human solidarity.

Avo said: “I believe in God, Country, Family and the American Dream. If you do too, support One Human Community!”