Hero Story

Helen Cirrito is the true unsung hero of the entire Greater Lansing Region Armenian Refugee Community. Cirrito has had a profound life changing effect on thousands of Armenian Americans for her heroic work. For over 30 years Helen and her entire family have welcomed refugee families from all over the world into their home and helped them build their own homes in the greater Lansing area.
A descendant of the 1915 Armenian Genocide survivors herself, she did not hesitate to step up and help Armenians displaced by the Nagorno-Karabagh war beginning in 1991. With her own money and on her own time she set up the Armenian Resettlement and Refugee Assistance Fund to help those who lost everything, and in some tragic cases lost their loved ones. Helen worked closely with St. Vincent Catholic Charities to make sure that each new Armenian family that arrived in Lansing was well positioned to succeed and build their own American Dream. At the beginning, she hosted the families in her own home until they could find a rental place. Her work never stopped – she is a bright shining beacon of pride and hope for the entire community.
Helen Cirrito did not just welcome people, she worked tirelessly to make sure they were employed, placed in schools and had transportation to food shopping and medical appointments. As the community of new Armenian Americans grew each year, she continued to work even harder. The most amazing fact is that despite helping thousands of people, she never forgot a single person. She is always the first to wish everyone a happy birthday, anniversary and to remind them of their arrival date in America. Thirty years later, she still stops by to celebrate with each member of her community and she is always there when people need help. To this day, whenever people need advice they turn to Helen for help and she never turns anyone down.
Helen Cirrito is a hero not only because has she volunteered and helped thousands of people over decades, but because she made sure they flourished and became productive members of the Lansing regional community. To date, over ninety percent of the refugees have purchased homes, opened several local businesses and extended employment opportunities to other community members. The new generations of young Armenian Americans have succeeded on so many levels including graduating with honors from local high schools and universities, receiving graduate and post graduate degrees and being recognized on national and international levels for their artistic and athletic achievements. Helen can proudly testify that over eighty percent of people she has assisted remained in Michigan and became successful and well assimilated citizens of our state.
Every single member of the Armenian community credits Helen Cirrito with giving them a second chance in life. Despite dedicating her entire life to this important humanitarian work, Helen never sought any kind of recognition or reward. She showered the entire community with love, kindness and infinite wisdom without expecting anything in return. Helen should be recognized for her lifetime achievement of saving people’s lives, creating economic opportunities and showing the entire world how Michiganders can pull together to help others.