Something Out of Nothing
Garin Hovannisian on navigating the creative journey
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August 23, 2011
Generation Next Mentorship Program Receives $5,000 from the Vons Foundation
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Members of the Vons Foundation, AGBU’s Generation Next Mentorship Program, and other attendees during the presentation of the check donation.
On August 17, 2011, the Vons Foundation presented AGBU's Generation Next (GenNext) Mentorship Program with a $5,000 check. The money will be used to fund the development of a film and music studio for students. The donation was sponsored by Glendale resident Edgar Azaryan, 29, a financial analyst at Vons headquarters who moved to Glendale after completing high school in Armenia and earning a degree from California State University, Northridge, in Los Angeles. "Here you have this great group of mentors and they help the youth choose their right path," Azaryan said. "I have role models in my life. I believe that I'm here because of them."
Dozens of teens witnessed the presentation of the check. The celebration attracted, among many others, Joylene Wagner, president of Glendale Unified School District Board of Education; Nayiri Nahabedian, a school board member and one of the founding members of GenNext; Talin Mangioglu, a representative from state Senator Carol Liu's office; Hrag Yedalian, from Council member Paul Krekorian's office; Ardy Kassakhian, Glendale City Clerk; Osheen Keshishian, editor of the Armenian Observer and a lecturer at Glendale Community College; Tomik Alexanian, AGBU Western District Vice Chairman; and Ron De Pompa, Glendale Police Chief.
"Hopefully, this will be something that develops into a passion for some of our youth as they acquire new skills, develop their talents and find creative ways of expressing themselves," said Yasmin Alpay, executive director of the AGBU Western District Chapters.
AGBU's Generation Next Mentorship Program assists youth in Southern California of Armenian descent by providing them with positive role models, guidance, and support. Through one-on-one mentoring, monthly group activities and parenting seminars, the program assists and supports Armenian students who are faced with difficult choices in today's increasingly intense and competitive school environment. For anyone interested in becoming a GenNext mentor and making a direct impact in the life of a young Armenian, please visit www.agbugennext.org.
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