PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 17, 2006
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THREE ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK TRIPS A SUCCESS
Instead of dreaming about shopping for that next new gadget or throwing a
killer party, dozens of young Armenians spent this spring giving back to the
larger community as participants in the first “Alternative Spring Break,”
organized by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
Through the Diocese’s College Ministry Program, participants in the
“Alternative Spring Break” traveled to southern states to build homes with
Habitat for Humanity.
“I had an awesome time and would definitely do this trip again. There is no
better feeling than giving something back to other people who could use the
help,” said Arineh Nazarian, a senior at University of Massachusetts who
joined the “Alternative Spring Break” trip to Jacksonville, FL. “I also
think it brought our group together: most of us didn’t know each other
before the trip, but in a short time we became really close.”
Three groups of about a dozen Armenian students each took part in the
program, spending a week traveling to Charlotte, NC, Richmond, VA, or
Jacksonville, FL. The week-long trips were staggered from March 4 to 25,
2006, to allow for the variety of spring breaks on college calendars.
Working side-by-side with the future homeowners, it was not easy to forget
the reason they were sweating away hammering nails and sawing logs. Along
with seeing hope being built in the hearts of families they were helping,
the students got to educate them on who the Armenians were.
“How can I thank you enough for all you have done for my home and my
neighborhood this week? I have fallen in love with all of you,” wrote
homeowner Laurie Leker, who was helped by the participants in the
Jacksonville, FL, trip. “I hope that someday my daughter will grow into the
kind of young people you are, and that she will see that by giving to others
you actually get more for yourself.”
Along with construction work, the participants’ days included prayer, Bible
readings, meditation, and fellowship.
“We talked about trust: trust in God, trust in others, and trust in self.
And I know for me, and I’m sure for many others as well, I am constantly
doubting at least one of those three trusts,” said Karinne Hovnanian, a
student from George Washington University and a participant in the Richmond
trip. “It was really helpful to have experiences where you had to trust
others — having someone spot your ladder for you, for example– to learn
that others were dealing with similar things.”
The local parishes in each community “adopted” the participants, welcoming
them into their communities for the week.
“The St. James Church in Richmond was wonderful. The accommodations were
great and the ACYOA and church parishioners were more than welcoming,” said
Haig Seferian, a student from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute who took part
in the trip to Richmond, VA. “Fr. Hovsep welcomed us with open arms and
there are not enough good things one can say about him, his church and their
parish.”
The cost to participants was kept low to allow all interested Armenians to
join. This is just one of the many ways the Diocese is making our unique
Armenian Christian heritage relevant to the lives of college students.
“We’re trying to connect to the students, through e-mail, campus visits, and
building support structures at local parishes,” said Jason Demerjian,
college ministry facilitator. “The Armenian Church has much to offer even to
today’s young students. It’s great to see so many getting involved in their
church community.”
For more information on the trips, including photos, visit the Diocese’s
college ministry website at
— 5/17/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Participants in the Diocesan College Ministry’s
“Alternative Spring Break” trip to Richmond, VA, work on a construction
project for Habitat for Humanity.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Arineh Nazarian gets a hug from homeowner Laurie Leker
during the Diocese’s “Alternative Spring Break” trip in Jacksonville, FL.