AYF Youth Corps 2008 Reaches Out to Gyumri’s Youth

Glendale, CA–The Armenian Youth Federation’s Youth Corps program will now be giving Diasporan youth the opportunity to serve as summer camp counselors for underprivileged youth in Armenia, the AYF announced on Friday.

The Youth Corps committee will begin reviewing Youth Corps 2008 Applications next week and is encouraging interested persons to submit their applications for this year’s innovative and exciting program. The application deadline is Monday, May 12th, 2008.

Participants this year, will make a lasting difference in the lives of disadvantaged kids in Armenia by serving as mentors and leaders for a summer camp program for 12-16 year olds living in Gyumri.

Youth Corps participants will have the opportunity to tap into their own individual talents and skills to share their knowledge with campers through organized sports activities, computer and English language classes, as well as educational sessions on Armenian culture and society, and the arts. In addition to living and working alongside youth in the City of Gyumri for 3 weeks, Youth Corps participants will also have a chance to tour Yerevan and Armenia.

“Youth Corps allowed me to connect with Armenia in a way no other program could,” said 2007 Youth Corps participant Knar Kitabjian.”My project really allowed me to give back to the homeland.”

The Youth Corps 2008 program seeks to provide direct assistance to some of Armenia’s most valuable and vulnerable citizens, underprivileged youth. The 2008 program builds upon over ten years of AYF experience in connecting diasporan Armenian youth with the homeland in a meaningful and collaborative environment.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) has grown to become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization; with chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world. Inspired by our past and motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of all Armenian youth.

Applications for the 2008 Youth Corps Program are available online: www.ayfwest.org.

For more information, please e-mail ayfyouthcorps@gmail.com, or call (818) 507-1933.

The application deadline is Monday, May 12th, 2008.