Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 4, 2007
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANCA Communications Director Reconnects with a Decade of ANCA Interns
-- Evening with Regional and Local Leaders Focuses
on ANCA's Commitment to Expanding Youth Advocacy
Los Angeles, CA - Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian joined with regional and local
leaders and former ANCA Interns for an evening celebrating over two decades
of Leo Sarkisian Internship Program successes.
During an evening gathering, hosted by community activists and former ANCA
intern John and Pattyl Kasparian, Chouldjian provided an executive summary
of the ANCA's work in support of U.S. foreign aid to Armenia, the Armenian
Genocide resolution and efforts to promote security issues in
Nagorno-Karabagh. She placed special focus on the key role that the ANCA
Leo Sarkisian Internship Program and the expanded Capital Gateway Program
play in ensuring increased youth participation in the American political
process.
"As a former ANCA intern in 1991, it was a pleasure catching up with Leo
Sarkisian interns from throughout the Southern California area," stated
Chouldjian, who directed the Washington component of the internship program
for some 10 years. "Whether serving in our Regional Board or active with
our local chapters, the internship program has been a critical factor in
training the Armenian American political advocates of tomorrow."
Now in its 23rd year, the Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship has brought
together interns from across the nation and Canada, providing them an
opportunity to hone their grassroots activism skills by attending seminars,
participating in an intensive lecture series and working on specifically
designated projects. The eight-week program is geared to provide proven
student leaders with the skills they need to effectively advance Armenian
American concerns in their hometowns and campuses around the country.
"After returning from Washington, DC in 2000, I felt reenergized and ready
to hit the ground running with our local efforts," stated former Leo
Sarkisian Intern Sevana Zetlian. "My experience in Washington provided me
with the right tools and also helped me realized that what we are doing
locally makes an enormous difference in the Armenian Cause," she added.
The Leo Sarkisian Internship Program is an integral part of the ANCA Capital
Gateway Program, which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to
explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and key
Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. Now reaching the end of its
fourth year, the year-round program is designed to help university students
and graduates find internships and permanent positions in Congressional
offices, government agencies and policy groups by providing temporary
housing and assistance in transitioning from student to professional. To
date, the ANCA Capital Gateway Program has placed over 40 individuals in
jobs on Capitol Hill and in think tanks in the nation's capital.
"My invaluable experience as a Leo Sarkisian intern equipped me with the
knowledge and experience needed to be active within my community and to
serve Cong. Pallone on Capitol Hill. I will always be grateful to Elizabeth
and the ANCA for providing me with the tools necessary to be successful and
make a difference," stated Angineh Babooian.
The Capital Gateway Program has been funded through the generosity of the
Cafesdjian Family Foundation, the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship, Armenian
American Veterans Post of Milford, Massachusetts (AAVO), longtime ANCA
benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Barbara Hekimian and Armenian American
activists from across the U.S.
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.
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 4, 2007
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANCA Communications Director Reconnects with a Decade of ANCA Interns
-- Evening with Regional and Local Leaders Focuses
on ANCA's Commitment to Expanding Youth Advocacy
Los Angeles, CA - Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian joined with regional and local
leaders and former ANCA Interns for an evening celebrating over two decades
of Leo Sarkisian Internship Program successes.
During an evening gathering, hosted by community activists and former ANCA
intern John and Pattyl Kasparian, Chouldjian provided an executive summary
of the ANCA's work in support of U.S. foreign aid to Armenia, the Armenian
Genocide resolution and efforts to promote security issues in
Nagorno-Karabagh. She placed special focus on the key role that the ANCA
Leo Sarkisian Internship Program and the expanded Capital Gateway Program
play in ensuring increased youth participation in the American political
process.
"As a former ANCA intern in 1991, it was a pleasure catching up with Leo
Sarkisian interns from throughout the Southern California area," stated
Chouldjian, who directed the Washington component of the internship program
for some 10 years. "Whether serving in our Regional Board or active with
our local chapters, the internship program has been a critical factor in
training the Armenian American political advocates of tomorrow."
Now in its 23rd year, the Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship has brought
together interns from across the nation and Canada, providing them an
opportunity to hone their grassroots activism skills by attending seminars,
participating in an intensive lecture series and working on specifically
designated projects. The eight-week program is geared to provide proven
student leaders with the skills they need to effectively advance Armenian
American concerns in their hometowns and campuses around the country.
"After returning from Washington, DC in 2000, I felt reenergized and ready
to hit the ground running with our local efforts," stated former Leo
Sarkisian Intern Sevana Zetlian. "My experience in Washington provided me
with the right tools and also helped me realized that what we are doing
locally makes an enormous difference in the Armenian Cause," she added.
The Leo Sarkisian Internship Program is an integral part of the ANCA Capital
Gateway Program, which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to
explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and key
Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. Now reaching the end of its
fourth year, the year-round program is designed to help university students
and graduates find internships and permanent positions in Congressional
offices, government agencies and policy groups by providing temporary
housing and assistance in transitioning from student to professional. To
date, the ANCA Capital Gateway Program has placed over 40 individuals in
jobs on Capitol Hill and in think tanks in the nation's capital.
"My invaluable experience as a Leo Sarkisian intern equipped me with the
knowledge and experience needed to be active within my community and to
serve Cong. Pallone on Capitol Hill. I will always be grateful to Elizabeth
and the ANCA for providing me with the tools necessary to be successful and
make a difference," stated Angineh Babooian.
The Capital Gateway Program has been funded through the generosity of the
Cafesdjian Family Foundation, the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship, Armenian
American Veterans Post of Milford, Massachusetts (AAVO), longtime ANCA
benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Barbara Hekimian and Armenian American
activists from across the U.S.
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.
