PRESS RELEASE
Date: March 24, 2008
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region
122 W. 27th St., Floor 12, New York, NY 10001
Contact: Karine Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918
ANCA ER WELCOMES NEWEST NEW YORK VOLUNTEER ACTIVISTS
New York, NY- In efforts to advance the Armenian cause, the
Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region is proud to
announce its newest volunteers, Taleen and Naira Setrakian, whom
will be interning with the ANCA at the new Eastern Region office in
New York City.
"We are looking forward to working with Taleen and Naira in the
coming months here at our new office in Manhattan," commented
Eastern Region Executive Director Karine Birazian. "They both have
extremely valuable qualities that will help expand awareness of
Armenian related issues within the community."
Taleen Setrakian, a junior at the Hewitt School, former Hovnanian
School graduate, and member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF)
New Jersey Arsen Chapter, chose to get involved with the ANCA in
order to learn about events taking place in the Diaspora, and gain
a greater understanding of how the organization is structured here
in America and throughout the world. "Because of my pride,
devotion, and love of my heritage, I would like to do all I can to
help the ANCA, hoping that in the future, I could be an even more
significant help to all Armenians around America, Armenia, and the
rest of the world," commented Taleen.
Recent Hovnanian grad, Naira Setrakian, one of the youngest
volunteers and currently a freshman at the Horace Mann School, and
a Junior member of the AYF NJ Arsen Chapter, where she serves on
the Chapter Executive. Choosing to volunteer for the ANCA to
complete a 40-hour community service project through school, Naira,
is actively involved with informing her classmates about Armenian
issues, especially the Armenian Genocide. "Learning about the
Armenian Genocide is one of the most important issues for me.
Increasing genocide awareness, including the tragedies of today,
through the ANCA is an exciting and fulfilling project for me."
One of the projects that both volunteers will be working on
involves researching libraries in the Manhattan area and collecting
data on Armenian related books that each library contains.
Currently dozens of libraries have been researched, including their
own school libraries. Both interns are also currently working with
the AYF chapter in NJ to encourage the Armenian youth to research
their own school libraries. Other projects will include their
attendance and participation of local based community events.
Following the research, grant requests will be submitted through
Armenian organizations to donate these related books to various
libraries.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
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Photo Caption #1: Left to Right- Taleen and Naira Setrakian