August 25, 2006
AGBU Generation Next Mentorship Program Achieves New Highs
GLENDALE, CA - Living up to its mission, AGBU Generation Next Mentorship Program continues to provide its participants with innovative and productive group activities throughout the summer. Moreover, the Program has benefited from the addition of an enthusiastic new Director, Ara Arzumanian, who has been extremely pleased with the overall results and commitment demonstrated by the mentors.
"We have a great group of youth and a tight-knit team of dedicated mentors," said Arzumanian. "When I assumed my position this past March, I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I didn't expect that we would experience such growth in such a short amount of time. In fact, during these past four months, we participated in an improv comedy show, took the students to a theatrical performance, a photograph exhibit, had a game day at the park, and put on a great artistic showcase-our biggest ever. We also recruited seven new mentors and have 10 more ready to get started this month."
In addition to these achievements, the Program received funding from the Glendale Unified School District, and obtained scholarships for seven Generation Next youth to participate in personal development courses, and two students to attend summer camp.
Recently, Generation Next students participated in a Bullying Awareness Workshop spearheaded by Melina Sardar of Ark Family Center, Inc. Sardar is Chair of the Glendale Community Action Against Bullying Committee (CAAB), a coalition of which Generation Next is also a member. On that day, the students learned about the various forms bullying can take, and were taught how to deal constructively with potential situations.
The following week, Generation Next partnered with We Care For Youth, a long-standing youth program in Glendale, to bring together Armenian and Latino youth, and address issues of interethnic violence in their local community. Recognizing the tension that has resulted in many instances of violence over the past decade, AGBU Generation Next Mentorship Program took the initiative to address this issue by exploring the root causes of the hostility.
The fruitful summer culminated with a trip to Malibu Creek State Park, where both mentors and mentees overcame personal fears and limitations by climbing a 40-foot tall cliff. "I was thoroughly impressed with our youth," commented Arzumanian. "Almost all of them made it to the top. With no prior rock climbing experience, these kids climbed a completely vertical rock face, 40 feet into the skyline, an exercise to prove to themselves that they can accomplish any goal that their mind can conceive." Champions Sports Adventure Programs, which facilitated the activity, co-owner Brad Lupien explained the goal of the experience by saying, "When faced with the challenge of trusting the rock climbing equipment, the climbing guides, their peers and, most importantly, themselves, the AGBU teens demonstrated both a phenomenal ability to work together and an immeasurable amount of self-confidence."
With his eye on the future, Arzumanian is optimistic: "We're looking forward to continuing a great year, and working with all types of organizations. Things are going well for Gen Next. We're going to recruit mentors and raise money, and if anyone out there wants to help, roll up your sleeves and give me a call."
For more information on AGBU Generation Next, please call (626) 794-7942 or visit www.agbugennext.org.
For more information on AGBU and its other youth programs, please visit www.agbu.org.
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