Kebab Night Raises Funds for Syrian Armenian Relief

BY: TALIN SAKLARIAN

Pasadena, CA – This past November the AYF Pasadena “Nigol Touman” Chapter organized a family kebab night at the Pasadena Armenian Center, to benefit the Armenian community in Syria. The event attracted members of the community as well as AYF members from across Southern California.

Our Syrian Armenian brothers and sisters need all the support that the Armenian community can assist them with. Knowing that our immediate assistance is needed, the AYF could not just idly stand aside without trying to lend a helping hand. Pasadena Chairperson, Cynthia Keyllian moved the guests with her words saying, “This event’s purpose is to provide monetary support as well as showing the community that the Syrian Armenians are not standing alone in their time of need.” With the support of the community the Pasadena Nigol Touman Chapter was able to raise $1,000 for the Syrian Armenian Relief fund.

With the holiday season fast approaching us, we worry about what presents well be getting our loved ones, decorating our tree, and all the other joys that come along with Christmas and the new year. Our Syrian Armenian brothers and sisters unfortunately don’t have the luxury of enjoying the holidays; they are worried about supporting and protecting their families. We encourage everyone to donate to the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, so they are able to continuously support the Syrian Armenians in need.

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.

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From Teghut to Mashtots Park: Armenian Youth Discuss New Wave of Activism in Armenia

LOS ANGELES—A leading figure in Armenia’s environmental movement was in Los Angeles on December 6th, 2012 speaking at a town hall event about the looming ecological disaster facing Armenia and the rise of a new generation of activists, committed to protecting and preserving their homeland.

The event, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, ARF “Shant” Student Associatio), and the All-Armenian Student Association (All-ASA) featured a discussion led by prominent activist Yeghia Nersesian of the Save Teghut Movement.

“The government’s support of the Teghut mining project is not only destroying Armenian lives and villages, but also, by annihilating the beautiful ecosystem, the leadership is working against their own goals of increasing tourism,” explained Nersesian. “Through our demonstrations and protests, we are not trying to create a revolution in the country, but instead hope to spark a revolution within ourselves, as a people and society.”

Nersesian illustrated the consequences of the Teghut mining initiative and emphasized its negative impact on the country’s ecology and health of the population in the region. By highlighting the “Save Teghut” movement along with efforts to save Mashtots Park, Nersesian drew a connection between the rise of environmental activism among youth in the country and its connection to increased activism and a larger movement for democracy in Armenia.

“We believe it is our responsibility to raise awareness in our community, about the ecological disaster unfolding in Armenia, and more importantly, about the young men and women risking everything to try and save our homeland from an irreversible environmental meltdown,” said AYF Chairperson, Avedis Shanlian. “It is imperative that we support and join these activists as they continue to struggle for a better, more democratic Armenia.”

“Save Teghut” is an environmental movement that demands an immediate stop to all mining operations by the Valex group at Teghut Forest. Though much of the forests many thousands of acres have already been destroyed, open-pit mining on the mountain has not yet begun. If Valex is allowed to exploit the mine, the process will destroy the surrounding eco-system and displace numerous villages in Armenia.

Following Nersesian’s presentation, the audience led a discussion highlighting the positive progression of Armenian civil society, while condemning the Armenian government’s lack of accountability to its people and its broken commitment to upholding democratic principles.

“The fact that we are sitting here today and critically evaluating our government and the state of country, proves that the 21st century can give us the tools to make change in a different way; by recognizing the power of social media and the power of the masses,” explained Nersesian. “As citizens, we are responsible for protecting the well-being of our homeland and we cannot wait for others to defend us and our country in times of injustice.”

Nersesian concluded the event by emphasizing the importance of activism in the face of injustice, whether it is in Armenia or in the Diaspora.

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.

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AYF Meets with Ambassador Heffern

Contact: Sevag Tchekidjian
Tel: (818) 507-1933
E-Mail: AYF@AYFwest.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GLENDALE, CA – On Saturday, December 8th, members of the Armenian Youth Federation Western Region met with U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, and USAID Public Private Alliance Specialist, Jeffery Paretchan, in order to discuss critical issues relating to Armenia.

“Much of the influence placed on the Republic of Armenia derives from its strong diaspora. As the leading Armenian youth organization around the world, the AYF has an innate responsibility to habitually assess the social, economic, and political landscape of our homeland, and to take appropriate action in order to create solutions to problems, and to progress the development of our young nation,” explains AYF Executive Director, Stepan Keshishian.

The event was held at Glendale Public Library, and was attended by AYF Central Executive members Avedis Shanlian and Levon Abrahamian, AYF Hollywood Chairperson, Arek Santikian, and AYF Executive Director, Stepan Keshishian. These youth met in a very open and inviting setting with the ambassador, and covered a range of issues, including U.S.-Armenian economic relations and trade, the regional security of Armenia, the Syrian-Armenian situation, the upcoming elections in Armenia, the AYF Youth Corps summer camp program in Armenia, the AYF With Our Soldiers program for providing medical assistance to veterans in Armenia, and other topics.

“This meeting was an opportunity for the Armenian youth to relay their voice and to affirm their interest in issues relating to Armenian and U.S.-Armenian ties, as stakeholders in their homeland,” states Avo Shanlian. “It was an important and highly beneficial first step in establishing a strong working relationship with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, and we are grateful for their time and for their shared dedication to improving our homeland.”

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.

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Youth Carry Out Treatment of Artsakh Veterans

Over the last several months, the AYF’s With Our Soldiers (WOS) campaign has been heavily engaged in the medical treatment of dozens of veterans of the Artsakh war throughout Armenia.

Having spent much of 2012 raising awareness and collecting donations, the campaign utilized the summer and fall months to deliver medical care to those who need it most.

“Our community has shown that it stands with our freedom fighters,” said David Arakelyan, an organizer with the WOS campaign. “From small donors to big sponsors, everyone’s contribution has made a difference in the lives of our azadamardiks by helping fund surgeries, check-ups and medications.”

Beginning with basic checkups for 14 veterans at the Yerevan Medical Center on July 19, the campaign has gone on to provide medical services ranging from medicine and therapy to surgical procedures for over 20 men and women who put their lives on the line for the defense of Artsakh.

One such freedom fighter is Ivan Mirzoyan, a veteran of the Artsakh war who went to the front lines as a teenager. Mirzoyan was captured as a prisoner of war and brutally tortured by Azeri forces. Despite being fatally beaten and having gasoline injected into his veins, he managed to escape and make it back to Artsakh, where he eventually rejoined the liberation struggle.

Through the WOS campaign, Mirzoyan was provided with vital medications and free therapy consultation to deal with his episodic seizures, fainting spells, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“I am very thankful to you all because I couldn’t even imagine before that I would have this medication in my hands,” said Mirzoyan. “I’m hopeful that they will help heal me.”

Another veteran,  Andranik Ketikyan, who fought valiantly in the “Arabkir” special regiment and who eventually lost hearing in both of his ears, was fitted with brand new Siemens ear devices, restoring his ability to hear once again.

In the case of veteran Armen Begyan, assistance has come in the form of specially retrofitting a car for wheelchair accessibility. Begyan left his native Hrazdan and went to fight in Artsakh from 1992-1994, becoming paralyzed from the waist down due to injuries suffered in the war. The wheelchair vehicle will allow him to reenter society and provide for his family once again. The motivation for the assistance comes from a state program for handicap veterans successfully operated in Artsakh, but which is unavailable in Armenia proper.

Several other veterans have been evaluated and set for treatment in the coming weeks, with services including eye care, heart operations, and prosthetic surgeries. Regular status updates about the treatments will be posted on the “Veterans” page of the WOS campaign website:  www.withoursoldiers.com. Donors to the campaign will also receive personalized letters documenting the specific veterans their funds assist.

All campaign treatments are provided and coordinated through a partnership with the Yerevan Medical Center and overseen by organizers of the campaign both here and in Armenia.

Each patient begins the process with a preliminary interview and is required to provide valid documentation of their service in the war, official government status, and medical history before undergoing treatment. Across the board, the veterans encountered through the campaign have proven to be neglected by the government or provided with only meager funds that do not come close to meeting their medical needs.

For more information about the WOS campaign and further efforts to aid veterans of the Artsakh war, visit www.WithOurSoldiers.com.

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AYF Unites in SF for Annual Olympics Weekend

BY: LUCY DISHOIAN and RAFFI SENEKEREMIAN

 
SAN FRANCISCO- A young author once said, “Unity is strength …when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” One of the Armenian Youth Federation’s goals is to keep the Armenian youth united. This past Thanksgiving weekend, our youth came together and became one unit in the beautiful city of San Francisco. In a rare occasion in the recent history of the AYF Western Region two chapters, the San Francisco “Rosdom” Chapter and the Orange County “Ashod Yergat”, worked together to host the 39th Annual AYF Olympics.

The main focus of the weekend was to unite over 200 young Armenians from 10 different chapters throughout the Western Region. The AYF has five pillars: political, cultural, educational, athletic, and social. These young active members focused on 2 out of the 5 pillars for the weekend and joined together to compete in athletics during the day and celebrations at night.

This year, both chapters wanted to welcome their guests, in a new and original way; a way only San Francisco can offer, with a “Welcome to San Francisco” Night Cruise that took place Friday night. The members saw San Francisco in style, passing underneath the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, circling Alcatraz Island, and riding alongside the beautiful San Francisco Skyline on a completely clear and unforgettable night.

“I was looking forward to the 2012 AYF Olympics since I first found out it was going to be held in San Francisco. I had only heard of great stories and memories from fellow AYF-agans about the last time this annual tradition took place in SF and I wanted to see what the hype was all about,” explained a Valley “Sardarabad” Unger, Hrag Tomassian. “The Friday Night Yacht Party, the Barahantes, and all the games we played in between, surely made the trip an unforgettable one. The collaboration between the San Francisco ‘Rosdom’ and Orange County ‘Ashod Yergat’ Chapters showed to be a great success.”

After an eventful first night, early Saturday morning members made their way to the Burlingame Soccer Center, located around the corner from the Embassy Suites. Different chapters made their way to the field, prepared to have a full day of games and hoped to be the chapter that would be victorious and have the honor of lifting up the trophies. Every chapter was ready with their equipment, chapter shirts and even chants were heard from some. “IS THE JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE?!” was a chant heard from the Orange County huddle, led by Unger Nareg Zaher.

The games began, with dodge ball being the first sport of the day. After a few hard fought elimination games, the Orange County “Ashod Yergat” Chapter sweeped its
competition and came out victorious. Shortly after, the sport switched to soccer, with first match being played between both hosting chapters, San Francisco and Orange County. San Francisco had home field advantage and ultimately stole the match from Orange County. They fought their way to the championship game but came up short against Valley for the second year in a row.  Between the games, the members were refueled by the Taco Truck that was brought to the field. After a small break, the chapters found their focus once again and headed back onto the field for the final sport of the day, flag football. The Valley “Sardarabad” chapter fought their way through the competition and came out victorious again in flag football, bringing an end to a day of competitive sports giving Valley two trophies and Orange County one.


After the games, members had time to return to their hotel rooms to prepare for the weekend’s final event: the AYF Olympics Barahantes. Everyone got onto the shuttles and headed towards the Khatchaturian Armenian Center, where the community was waiting for the members to come together and celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Armenian Youth Federation. The night started off with a short program, made memorable by the guest speaker of the night, Unger George Atashkarian, One of the oldest and most respected AYF Alumni members whose life was changed 80 years ago when he heard General Karekin Njdeh speak, and Saturday night he did the same for almost 200 young AYF members sitting and listening to his words of wisdom. Once the program ended, both hosting committees came together and cut the cake for the 80th Anniversary of the AYF and the fun began. Chapters were together celebrating their victories from earlier that day and more importantly celebrating 80 years of continuous hard work by the AYF and its members. The night was livened up by singer, Khatchig Jingirian and his band that played non-stop late into the night and ended the night with everyone singing ‘Aryunod Trosh’ together as one.

“After a year of hard work put in from both Orange County and San Francisco chapters, we all had a memorable event. We’ve put in a lot of effort into this weekend and hearing such great feedback from our members made it worth everything” states Orange County Chair, Hrache Novruzyan. “We thank everyone who came out to share this amazing weekend with us!”

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.

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