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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
Contact: David Ojakian
510.393.1806
[email protected]
AGBU FOCUS 2013 HEADS WEST, TAKES SAN FRANCISCO
Seventh FOCUS Weekend to Raise Funds for AGBU GenNext Mentorship
Program
With summer approaching and preparations well underway, an exciting
buzz has spanned the globe for the seventh AGBU FOCUS weekend, as the
world class event heads west to San Francisco, California. As
literary great William Saroyan proclaimed, `No city invites the heart
to come to life as San Francisco does. Arrival in San Francisco is an
experience in living,' which hundreds of AGBU young professionals from
around the world will soon discover. The four day event will take
guests through San Francisco's rich culture and nightlife, to the
region's scenic wine tasting and picturesque backdrops, offering
visitors and locals alike a FOCUS experience like never before.
Since its launch in New York City in 2001, AGBU FOCUS has
distinguished itself as a premier event for Armenian young
professionals (YPs). What started as a signature anniversary
celebration is now a sensational biennial weekend event, offering YPs
an opportunity to connect with hundreds of international peers while
highlighting the direct and positive impact of AGBU's programs on
generations of Armenians. Over the past 12 years, AGBU FOCUS has
brought together over 2,500 YPs in 5 different cities: New York City
(2001, 2007), Montreal (2003), Miami (2005), Chicago (2009), and Paris
(2011). Now in 2013, FOCUS takes on San Francisco and is set to
attract a truly diverse network of individuals.
`We are thrilled to host this exciting event in our backyard and look
forward to welcoming a truly global young professional crowd. An
incredible weekend awaits attendees of this year's FOCUS. For the
first time on the west coast, the four day event-filled weekend will
showcase San Francisco and wine country in unique ways exclusive to
FOCUS 2013,' said AGBU FOCUS 2013 Co-Chair Steven Cherezian.
AGBU FOCUS 2013 kicks off Thursday, August 1 with Perspectives, an
engaging panel discussion and networking opportunity for guests to
share viewpoints on a hot topic. The panel will be held downtown at
Spur Urban Center, a non-profit incubator for research, education, and
advocacy. Excitement continues on Friday, August 2with an
all-inclusive wine tour, lunch, and tasting at Chateau St. Jean Winery
in beautiful Sonoma wine country, and Friday night, the action will
shift to one of San Francisco's elite nightclubs. Saturday, August 3
features FOCUS on Art at SoMA district's 2nd Street Gallery, and
culminates that evening with the FOCUS 2013 Gala set in the stunning
San Francisco City Hall. Completing the memorable weekend, a farewell
brunch on Sunday will offer YPs the perfect opportunity to bid
farewell to the friends and the city where they are bound to leave
their hearts.
With the move west, AGBU FOCUS 2013 raises funds for AGBU's Generation
Next Mentorship Program (GenNext) in Los Angeles. Created in 1997 by
a handful of YP volunteers under the auspices of the AGBU, and with
the assistance of the Glendale Unified School District, the goal of
GenNext is to assist Southern California youth of Armenian descent by
providing them with positive role models, guidance, and support.
Through one-on-one mentoring, monthly group activities, and parenting
seminars, the program has aided and supported Armenian students who
are faced with difficult choices in today's often tense school
environment including issues of acculturation, drug and alcohol abuse,
peer pressure, violence in schools, gang involvement, and other
serious adolescent challenges. Throughout the year, mentors and
mentees make a commitment to one another, developing a unique
friendship which allows the mentor to become a guiding force in the
student's life.
`One of the highlights of AGBU FOCUS is the charitable aspect of the
event. With FOCUS being hosted in California for the first time,
GenNext is an ideal benefactor. Our fundraising is underway, and the
event will also help increase awareness of the important work AGBU
GenNext is accomplishing in Southern California,' expressed AGBU FOCUS
Co-Chair Greg Nemet.
Hundreds of young Armenians have already benefitted from GenNext's
programming; however, with a waiting list of more than 90 at-risk
adolescents at any given time, today's fundraising efforts are
critical to the program's long-term sustainability and expansion. AGBU
FOCUS donors will be making a direct and lasting impact on the future
of our bright and promising youth in Southern California.
AGBU FOCUS San Francisco 2013 ticket packages are on sale now and
weekend accommodations are available at a discounted rate at the Hotel
Adagio near Union Square. For more information about the weekend's
events and to register, purchase tickets, or book hotel rooms, visit
www.agbufocus.org. To donate to FOCUS 2013 in support of
AGBU GenNext, visit www.agbufocus.org/donate or call AGBU at
212-319-6383. For more information about AGBU GenNext, visit
www.agbugennext.org. For any other questions or inquiries, please
contact FOCUS Coordinator, Sharis Boghossian, at [email protected].
Also, `Like' the AGBU FOCUS Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com/agbufocus and invite your network of Armenian YPs to
the Facebook Event Page by searching for `AGBU FOCUS in San Francisco
2013' under events and joining the event.
One of the goals of AGBU FOCUS is to develop a new international
network of alumni, Young Professionals (YPs), and friends of AGBU
between the ages of 22-40 that reflects the diverse nature of the
Armenian community. The weekend is also designed to pay tribute to and
create awareness of AGBU's numerous youth programs and its investment
in young Armenians across the globe.
From: Baghdasarian
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
Contact: David Ojakian
510.393.1806
[email protected]
AGBU FOCUS 2013 HEADS WEST, TAKES SAN FRANCISCO
Seventh FOCUS Weekend to Raise Funds for AGBU GenNext Mentorship
Program
With summer approaching and preparations well underway, an exciting
buzz has spanned the globe for the seventh AGBU FOCUS weekend, as the
world class event heads west to San Francisco, California. As
literary great William Saroyan proclaimed, `No city invites the heart
to come to life as San Francisco does. Arrival in San Francisco is an
experience in living,' which hundreds of AGBU young professionals from
around the world will soon discover. The four day event will take
guests through San Francisco's rich culture and nightlife, to the
region's scenic wine tasting and picturesque backdrops, offering
visitors and locals alike a FOCUS experience like never before.
Since its launch in New York City in 2001, AGBU FOCUS has
distinguished itself as a premier event for Armenian young
professionals (YPs). What started as a signature anniversary
celebration is now a sensational biennial weekend event, offering YPs
an opportunity to connect with hundreds of international peers while
highlighting the direct and positive impact of AGBU's programs on
generations of Armenians. Over the past 12 years, AGBU FOCUS has
brought together over 2,500 YPs in 5 different cities: New York City
(2001, 2007), Montreal (2003), Miami (2005), Chicago (2009), and Paris
(2011). Now in 2013, FOCUS takes on San Francisco and is set to
attract a truly diverse network of individuals.
`We are thrilled to host this exciting event in our backyard and look
forward to welcoming a truly global young professional crowd. An
incredible weekend awaits attendees of this year's FOCUS. For the
first time on the west coast, the four day event-filled weekend will
showcase San Francisco and wine country in unique ways exclusive to
FOCUS 2013,' said AGBU FOCUS 2013 Co-Chair Steven Cherezian.
AGBU FOCUS 2013 kicks off Thursday, August 1 with Perspectives, an
engaging panel discussion and networking opportunity for guests to
share viewpoints on a hot topic. The panel will be held downtown at
Spur Urban Center, a non-profit incubator for research, education, and
advocacy. Excitement continues on Friday, August 2with an
all-inclusive wine tour, lunch, and tasting at Chateau St. Jean Winery
in beautiful Sonoma wine country, and Friday night, the action will
shift to one of San Francisco's elite nightclubs. Saturday, August 3
features FOCUS on Art at SoMA district's 2nd Street Gallery, and
culminates that evening with the FOCUS 2013 Gala set in the stunning
San Francisco City Hall. Completing the memorable weekend, a farewell
brunch on Sunday will offer YPs the perfect opportunity to bid
farewell to the friends and the city where they are bound to leave
their hearts.
With the move west, AGBU FOCUS 2013 raises funds for AGBU's Generation
Next Mentorship Program (GenNext) in Los Angeles. Created in 1997 by
a handful of YP volunteers under the auspices of the AGBU, and with
the assistance of the Glendale Unified School District, the goal of
GenNext is to assist Southern California youth of Armenian descent by
providing them with positive role models, guidance, and support.
Through one-on-one mentoring, monthly group activities, and parenting
seminars, the program has aided and supported Armenian students who
are faced with difficult choices in today's often tense school
environment including issues of acculturation, drug and alcohol abuse,
peer pressure, violence in schools, gang involvement, and other
serious adolescent challenges. Throughout the year, mentors and
mentees make a commitment to one another, developing a unique
friendship which allows the mentor to become a guiding force in the
student's life.
`One of the highlights of AGBU FOCUS is the charitable aspect of the
event. With FOCUS being hosted in California for the first time,
GenNext is an ideal benefactor. Our fundraising is underway, and the
event will also help increase awareness of the important work AGBU
GenNext is accomplishing in Southern California,' expressed AGBU FOCUS
Co-Chair Greg Nemet.
Hundreds of young Armenians have already benefitted from GenNext's
programming; however, with a waiting list of more than 90 at-risk
adolescents at any given time, today's fundraising efforts are
critical to the program's long-term sustainability and expansion. AGBU
FOCUS donors will be making a direct and lasting impact on the future
of our bright and promising youth in Southern California.
AGBU FOCUS San Francisco 2013 ticket packages are on sale now and
weekend accommodations are available at a discounted rate at the Hotel
Adagio near Union Square. For more information about the weekend's
events and to register, purchase tickets, or book hotel rooms, visit
www.agbufocus.org. To donate to FOCUS 2013 in support of
AGBU GenNext, visit www.agbufocus.org/donate or call AGBU at
212-319-6383. For more information about AGBU GenNext, visit
www.agbugennext.org. For any other questions or inquiries, please
contact FOCUS Coordinator, Sharis Boghossian, at [email protected].
Also, `Like' the AGBU FOCUS Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com/agbufocus and invite your network of Armenian YPs to
the Facebook Event Page by searching for `AGBU FOCUS in San Francisco
2013' under events and joining the event.
One of the goals of AGBU FOCUS is to develop a new international
network of alumni, Young Professionals (YPs), and friends of AGBU
between the ages of 22-40 that reflects the diverse nature of the
Armenian community. The weekend is also designed to pay tribute to and
create awareness of AGBU's numerous youth programs and its investment
in young Armenians across the globe.
From: Baghdasarian