Young Professionals Launch A Training Program

[Siamanto]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Fund for Armenian Relief

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Edina N. Bobelian

Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849

E-mail: edina@farusa.org

Website: www.farusa.org

 

October 25, 2004

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FAR 2004 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS LAUNCH A JOB TRAINING PROGRAM

 

To empower Armenia's workforce and give people the tools they need to

survive in a challenging market place, the FAR 2004 Young Professionals

decided to establish a new program to help Armenia's economic

development. Through FAR, the Young Professionals Job Training Program

will place able-bodied Armenians in three- to six-month internships to

learn marketable skills and gain on-the-job experience.

 

The idea for this program crystallized during a layover in London's

Heathrow airport on the group's return to the U.S. after a two-week

discovery of Armenia and Karabagh. As they reminisced, the Young

Professionals developed a plan. They had been moved by what they had

witnessed in the Homeland - the Young Professionals were driven from

site to site, allowing them to observe the socioeconomic conditions of

people living outside of Yerevan - and wanted to make a difference in

the lives of ordinary Armenians.

 

To help raise the standard of living in Armenia, where more than half

the population lives in poverty, the Young Professionals reasoned that

income-generating jobs are required. As families earn salaries, they

would be able to afford essential goods and services (a household's

basic needs), raising them above the poverty line. This spending would

help stimulate Armenia's economy, begetting opportunities for more jobs.

 

While they hope to achieve a positive change throughout the country, the

2004 Young Professionals remain pragmatic. They have established a

reasonable goal for the first year: place 10 Armenians in short-term

internships where they will have exposure to specialized training in

vital industries, develop contacts in local trades, benefit from

mentoring relationships, and receive a nominal monthly stipend.

Thereafter, the Job Training Program will be expanded.

 

The FAR 2004 Young Professionals will be hosting several fundraisers to

help finance the multi-year project. The first event is a Fall Happy

Hour on November 5, 2004 at Light NYC, located at 125 East 54th Street

(between Park & Lexington Avenues), New York, NY. Visit FAR's website

for more information (www.farusa.org) and to make a tax-deductible

contribution online. Please specify that your donation is for the Young

Professionals Job Training Program.

 

FAR is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York,

with offices in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Stepanakert. For 15 years, FAR has

implemented various relief, development, social, educational, and

cultural projects valued at more than $250 million. It is the

preeminent relief and development organization operating there.

 

For more information on FAR and the Young Professionals Job Training

Program, contact us at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone

(212) 889-5150, fax (212) 889-4849; www.farusa.org, far@farusa.org.

 

-- 10/25/04

 

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http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg95886.html