PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: armenian@idx.com.au

21 June 2005

ARMENIAN YOUTH RESEARCH OFFICER IN FULL SWING

Sydney, Australia – The Armenian Community Welfare Centre (ACWC) that is
under the auspice of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New
Zealand has assisted members of the Armenian Community of Sydney for more
than 22 years. The Centre generally caters for the needs of elderly
Armenian residents with Aged Day Care Programs, Dementia Day Care and Carer
Respite, Community Workers and English Classes.

Over the past 12 months, the ACWC has taken on a new initiative to consider
issues relating specifically to the needs of Armenian youth under the
direction of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand and President of the
ACWC. A research grant has been awarded by the NSW Community Relations
Commission for this project. Since April 2005, a Youth Research Officer has
embarked on the research project to identify and highlight the needs and
issues of Australian-Armenian youth. In this capacity, Mrs Ida Soghomonian,
a well-respected psychologist in the Armenian Community, is targeting
Armenian youth aged 12 to 21 years seeking their input through
questionnaires and youth forums on a number of issues. Mrs Soghomonian
plans to conduct her research with the co-operation of the various Armenian
schools as well as Armenian cultural and sporting groups aimed at youth.
The research project is due for completion by end 2005 with a final report
expected in February 2006.

Mrs Ida Soghomonian received her Masters in Psychology from Sydney
University and has 14 years experience in field counselling, psychotherapy,
drug/alcohol counselling, youth and family therapy. She has her own private
practice in psychology and has also been a school counsellor.

Positive contribution and support by the Armenian Community of Sydney will
be instrumental for the good outcome of this research paper. For further
information on the Armenian Youth Research Project, please contact Mrs Ida
Soghomonian at idasoghomonian@aol.com

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress