GLENDALE – The Armenian Youth Federation Western Region on Monday urged its national membership and the Armenian-American community to support the 2011 “A Gift of Water.  A Gift of Life” Armenia Fund Telethon on Thanksgiving Day, November 24.

Similar to last year, the telethon’s fundraising efforts in 2011 are directed toward developing the infrastructure needed to deliver much-needed water to the people of Artsakh.

The shortage of water is a serious problem in Artsakh, still affecting more than 30,000 people.  On average, each family spends 40% of their daily lives carrying water from a source 2-5 miles away.  That water is not always clean and 88% of all diseases are related to tainted drinking water.

“The development of Artsakh is among the most important priorities of the Armenian nation,” said AYF WR Chairman David Arakelyan. “Our parent’s generation made huge sacrifices for Arstakh to become free and independent.  It is our generation’s responsibility to create the necessary conditions for people to have a dignified life on their land.”

The independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is considered to be among the greatest accomplishments of the Armenian people over the past century and a welcomed reversal of a long-standing trend of subjugation and oppression.

“Though many problems have been solved over the past two decades, there is still a lot to be done to ensure the viability and longevity of both Armenian republics,” said Arakelyan, stressing that the Diaspora needs to do everything it can to improve the conditions of people living on the land in both Artsakh and Armenia.

A contribution to the Armenia Fund will empower the people of Artsakh and help the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continue its state-building process, which began more than two decades ago through a unified effort of the Armenian nation.

“The AYF Central Executive urges all members to participate in the events and activities of the Armenia Fund.  Like many organizations, the AYF will also be making a contribution to this year’s Telethon, and we encourage all of our members and the community at large to do the same” added Arakelyan. “We are confident that with your help, we will strengthen Artsakh and continue our quest to liberate the rest of our homeland.”

In Southern California, the Telethon can be seen on KSCI Channel 18, KVMD, ARTN/Shant and USArmenia networks for full 12 hours. In the Glendale/Burbank/Pasadena/La Canada areas in addition to ARTN/Shant (388) and USArmenia (386), the Telethon broadcast will be also shown on AABC (384), HighVision (381) and Horizon (385) Armenian TV channels. The live 12 hour webcast can be viewed at armeniafund.org.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian-American youth organization in the United States working to advance the social, political, educational, and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.

200 Volunteers Comb the Streets Picking Up Trash, Removing Graffiti

By Gaianeh Avanessian

On Saturday October 8th, the Armenian Youth Federation held its 9th annual Little Armenia Beautification Project. With strong support from city officials and local service organizations, this year’s project attracted over 200 volunteers, expanding its reach deeper into the community.

Armed with rakes, shovels, brooms, bags, and painting materials,  volunteers proceeded to pick up trash, and remove graffiti throughout Hollywood’s Little Armenia neighborhood district. The mission is to give back to the community and show appreciation for having a part of Los Angeles designated as Little Armenia.

Opening ceremony speeches were offered by Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, Baidsar Thomassian representing California State Senator Kevin De Leon’s office, Reverend Father Vicken Vassilian from St. Garabed Armenian Church, Edgar Makhsikian of the Little Armenia Chamber of Commerce, AYF Hollywood “Musa Dagh” member Carina Khanjian, representatives of the Hollywood Beautification Team, and  Sam Kbushyan of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Each speaker sincerely expressed their gratitude to the volunteers, motivating them and thanking them for devoting their time for the betterment of the community.

The clean-up effort, like in past years, was managed by a committee of volunteers from the AYF Hollywood “Musa Dagh” chapter with strong support from the ANC Hollywood chapter, who took on every aspect of planning, organizing and executing the cleanup. The committee worked closely with the offices of Eric Garcetti and Kevin De Leon both of whom cosponsored the beautification. The Little Armenia Chamber of Commerce also provided financial assistance for the project.

AYF Hollywood member and project organizer Carina Khanjian notes, “Working with governmental organizations allowed us to connect with various groups in the community to attract a wide variety of people, and get more work done”. The organizing committee expressed special gratitude to Council President Garcetti for sacrificing part of his day on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur to participate in the clean-up.

This year, the annual Beautification Project had more diverse volunteers than ever before. The Hollywood AYF made a concerted effort to reach out to both local Armenian and non-Armenian organizations. In addition to AYF members and Badanees, contingents of volunteers turned out from Pilibos Armenian School, the Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter, UCI AEO (Armenian fraternity), Cal State LA ASA, GCC ASA, CSUN ASA and the Fairfax High School Environmental Club. Aside from cleaning up Little Armenia, the beautification project seeks to unify Armenian and non-Armenian youth.

With Little Armenia being home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside the Republic of Armenia, the Little Armenia Beautification Project is an effective way for the youth to give back to their community in what many Armenians call their “home away from home.”

“We constantly need to reaffirm our appreciation and ensure the cleanliness of our home away from home,” says Khanjian. “This project not only keeps the streets of Hollywood clean and beautiful, but it unifies the diverse community of Hollywood with the Armenian-Americans of Los Angeles, proving that one cannot succeed without the other”.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian-American youth organization in the United States working to advance the social, political, educational, and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.

Each year the Armenian Youth Federation administers its Youth Corps program in Armenia and Artsakh, a 6-week initiative consisting of Diasporan volunteers running free summer day-camps for children. The impact of this year’s program was recently extended beyond its summer months, with the delivery of two brand new computers and a laptop for the local AYF Youth Center in Stepanakert.

“The AYF is committed to educating and empowering Armenian youth in both the Homeland and the Diaspora,” stated AYF-Western Region Chairman David Arakelyan. “Our programs in Armenia and Artsakh are geared toward helping young men and women acquire the skills and resources necessary to succeed in the 21st century.”

This past summer, while working in Artsakh, Youth Corps volunteers had the opportunity to visit and interact with fellow AYF members in Stepanakert.  They were quickly inspired by the level of commitment and motivation they saw in the youth there, who were working on important educational, cultural, and political programs. However, despite having renovated offices provided by assistance from AYF France, the Youth Center lacked any functioning computers—a luxury we tend to take for granted here in the US.

The volunteers relayed this information back to the Central Executive and requested support for their ungers in Stepanakert. Upon arriving back home and participating in the AYF Alumni Camp Weekend in August, it was decided that the proceeds from the event would be used to purchase new computers for the Stepanakert Youth Center.

The three new computers were hand delivered to their new home two weeks ago.

“We are hoping,” says Arakelyan, “that this small donation will assist the kids in Stepanakert in achieving their goals.”

Through both its Youth Corps program in the summer and other proactive initiatives throughout the year, the AYF strives to continue playing a direct role in the nation-building process in Armenia.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian-American youth organization in the United States working to advance the social, political, educational, and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.