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Fund for Armenian Relief
Press Release
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Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
Press Office
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
email: press@farusa.org
web: www.farusa.org
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Four bright and intelligent
Armenian young professionals have joined Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
as volunteers and are assisting the organization in many noteworthy
ways.
Robin Barone, Lucy Hayrabedian, Celine Kaladjian and Talene Najarian are all working in the development sector at FAR, with Robin working as the Development Director for FAR's Continuing Medical Education (CME) program, and Lucy, Celine, and Talene as Development Officers.
In her position as Development Director, Robin Barone raises awareness of the CME program that provides unique on job training to Armenia's young doctors from remote provinces, organizes fundraising events to maintain and grow the program, and recruits a team of professionals for the program's leadership committee.
Lucy Hayrabedian's main responsibilities are to research and identify donor prospects and to actively seek funding for FAR projects from private foundations.
Celine Kaladjian is working on several projects with a special emphasis on communication in new media outlets, the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program, and Young Professionals Trip projects.
Talene Najarian will support FAR in a variety of tasks aiming to enhance donor communication and raise awareness for FAR programs.
Robin's involvement with FAR dates back to 2002 when she was a participant in FAR's Young Professional Trip to Armenia and left impressed with FAR and the significant impact it makes in Armenia. When she was awarded the ability to take a sabbatical for a year when her group at CIT closed last year, she thought of FAR. "I decided that I wanted to apply my business skills to organizations where I would add value during a time in which my industry suffered from a recession," said Ms. Barone, who has over 10 years experience in the commercial real estate industry and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and NYU. "After several trips to Armenia, I was searching for a way to help Armenia with my time and talent, and I think I have found it."
Lucy's professional background is in bank compliance and real estate investment. She is a graduate of Hunter College and Cass Business School in London. With some free time on her hands due to the banking crisis, Lucy wanted to use her time constructively. "When I lost my job a few months ago, I realized that the best and most efficient way to utilize my free time is to volunteer for an organization which would benefit from my skills," said Ms. Hayrabedian who was introduced to FAR by Robin Barone. "I choose to work for the Fund for Armenian Relief because of their ambition to redevelop Armenia. I wanted to be part of their mission and make a difference."
Celine is currently studying International Solidarity Project Engineering which involves project methodology and coordination. An undergraduate student in Marseilles, Celine is volunteering with FAR for four months as part of her university studies in which she plans on pursuing refugee studies. "Since my Armenian great grand-parents were refugees themselves, I strongly desired to support an Armenian NGO with my work," said Ms. Kaladjian. "While researching for an internship FAR seemed to fulfill my desires both on personal and professional perspectives. Indeed, it did!"
Since receiving her MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management last June, Talene has been pursuing various volunteering opportunities. Regarding her volunteering with FAR she said, "I hope to contribute to an organization currently making a tangible impact on the well-being of people in Armenia." She has positive impressions of FAR, noting that the organization manages a variety of successful programs that are diverse in their goals. "Under the FAR umbrella, there are programs aimed at improving the social welfare of the Armenian people, and also helping Armenia achieve long-term economic sustainability," said MS. Najarian, who spent three years working at an investment bank on Wall Street and one year working in the finance department of her family's business (an environmental engineering firm) prior to attending business school. She will also support FAR educational projects.
"For years FAR has been blessed with support from volunteers, both: in the US, and in Armenia. We have seen all of them grow personally and professionally. The "class of 2009" is very special to us. These young professionals brought so much talent, enthusiasm, and innovation to FAR in just a few short weeks," said Garnik Nanagoulian, FAR Executive Director. "Joining FAR family and becoming part of our mission in the homeland, supporting underprivileged and vulnerable people will eventually, I am sure, turn into fulfilling and gratifying experience for all of them."
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About FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served hundreds of thousands of people through more than 220 relief and development programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265 million in humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of projects including emergency relief, construction, education, medical aid, and economic development.
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For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212) 889-4849; http://www.farusa.org; e-mail press@farusa.org.
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