Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email anca@anca.org
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA CAPITAL GATEWAY PROGRAM BEGINS FOURTH YEAR
OF OPENING DOORS FOR YOUNG ARMENIAN AMERICANS

— Hovig Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fund Fuels Growth of Program

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America’s Capital
Gateway Program – the innovative Armenian American job placement program
now approaching its fourth year of operations in the nation’s capital –
continues to provide recent college graduates with opportunities to
launch successful careers in Washington, DC.

In addition to being granted access to the full use of ANCA facilities,
those who are accepted into the program are provided free housing in
downtown Washington, DC, as well as training, networking, and job
placement support as they seek full-time government, public policy, and
media-related job opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Officially inaugurated in May 2003 – with the support of the Cafesjian
Family Foundation – the Capital Gateway Program has benefited
tremendously over the past three years from the generosity of donors
committed to creating public service opportunities for young Armenian
Americans. The leading financial contributor to the Program has been
the family of Hovig Apo Saghdejian, a 23-year old youth leader and
community activist from Fresno, California, who lost his life in 2004 in
a tragic car accident. His family established the Hovig Apo Saghdejian
Memorial Fund in Hovig’s memory. These funds are held in perpetuity,
with all their income being used to finance the participation of young
Armenian Americans in the Capital Gateway Program.

The current Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellow is Hovig Shirikian, who is
interning with California Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) as a
stepping-stone for a Washington career in public policy. After learning
about the Capital Gateway Program before graduating from the University
of California at Santa Barbara, Shirikian decided to apply for the
program and come to Washington, DC to pursue his interest in political
advocacy. "I wanted to come to DC because that is where the action is,"
says Shirikian. "I wanted to learn first-hand how things are run and
gain experience that will be respected no matter where I decide to go in
the future." Past Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellows have included: Ani
Bedrosian, Andrew Gregorian, and Vasken Kassakhian.

Other current participants include Taline Ghazarian, Rita Garabedian,
and Antranik Boyadjian. The program recently helped Ghazarian, a
graduate in Sociology from UCLA and former English-section editor for
the Asbarez Armenian Daily Newspaper, land an internship with
Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-CA). She hopes to use the position to
learn more about the inner workings of Congress and gain a foothold in
the policy-making arena. "It’s really interesting getting a first-hand
look into how government works and figuring out your particular niche in
it," said Ghazarian.

The program has also provided opportunities for Rita Garabedian, a
native of Kenner, Louisiana. After graduating from the University of
New Orleans with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History,
Garabadian came to DC to find work as a Congressional staffer. She is
currently serving as an intern for Representative Albert Wynn (D-MD 4)
while continuing to explore full-time staff positions. She believes the
recent shakeup in the House of Representatives could provide her a
unique opportunity to fill a position with one of the many new members
of Congress. "I feel very fortunate to be here on the Hill at such an
exciting moment," Garabedian commented. "Both job-wise and politically,
there are a lot of encouraging prospects."

Antranik Boyadjian, a university student from France, has come to
Washington, DC to volunteer at the ANCA office. Robert Khatchadurian,
who recently graduated from the program, has secured a consulting
position with Booz Allen Hamilton. These exceptional individuals add
their names to a growing list of participants who have taken advantage
of the unique opportunities offered by the Capital Gateway Program.

Additional information about the program is available on the ANCA
website –

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