AGBU Young Profesionals are an important force in the AGBU spectrum of programs, delivering activities and events to enhance the social, professional, and cultural lives of young Armenian professionals and the greater community. It provides an environment for young Armenians to network, outreach and provide a sense of community through programs and events created under the auspices of AGBU.

   The YP movement began in 1995 with the first group in Los Angeles, and followed with groups in New York, Northern California, Orange County (California), Switzerland, Beirut, Montreal, Philadelphia, Sofia – Bulgaria and Plovdiv – Bulgaria.

•  Educational & Professional Development
Responding to the professional needs of their membership, YPs offer educational and professional activities that inform and instruct both members and the community to adapt to the competitive work environment of the 21st century. Lectures organized by the YPs integrate such diverse topics as the new information age, Diasporan identity and career development. Reaching out to young Armenian students, YP Greater New York hosts a Mentoring Night for participants of the AGBU New York Summer Intern Program.

•  Cultural Programs
Taking pride in their Armenian heritage, Yps have explored various cultural events that continue to inspire a new generation of Armenians and non-Armenians alike. The well attended Arvest cultural festival is an annual event in October sponsored and organized by the YP Los Angeles which showcases the artistic talents of Armenians from around the world. Other YP groups' cultural programs have included photography exhibits, screening of films by Armenian filmmakers, book readings and theater performances.

•  Socil Events
YPs organize regional social events providing their members and the community at large a social outlet to network, interact, mingle, and simply have fun with other Armenians. Many social events also have a professional, cultural, and philanthropic dimension, with business card exchanges, brunches with lecturers, and fundraisers. Highlights of the YP social activities include YP Northern California's Winter Gala in February and YP Greater New York's New Year's Celebration.

•  Fundraising
AGBU YP are making a significant impact in raising funds and awareness of AGBU projects benefiting Armenian youth worldwide. Recently, the AGBU YP groups collectively established the YP Endowment Fund benefiting the three AGBU Children's Centers in Armenia, which have a combined enrollment of 3,500 students, ages five to sixteen. The Centers provide history, language, art, music, dance, crafts and gymnastic programs each day.

YP groups have also raised funds to renew the annual subscription of the American University of Armenia's (AUA) ACM Digital Library, an online research bank which provides university students at the AUA and the State Engineering University of Armenia vital access to resources which would otherwise be inaccessible to these students. Closer to home, YP groups have a yearly initiative to contribute to scholarships for the AGBU New York Summer Intern Program, enabling more students to participate in this worthwhile program benefiting the professional development of Armenian college students.

•  Community Outreach
Building on the foundations of AGBU's mission to provide philanthropic programs that will positively impact society, YPs have developed innovate programs such as YP-LA's now independently-run Generation Next program, created to mentor Armenian teenagers through academic and social options. Serving the local community, the wider Diasporan family and the Republic of Armenia is a shared value of YP groups.

 

 

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