New York, NY- In efforts to advance the Armenian cause, the Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region is proud to announce its newest volunteers, Taleen and Naira Setrakian, who will be interning with the ANCA at the new Eastern Region office in New York City.

“We are looking forward to working with Taleen and Naira in the coming months here at our new office in Manhattan,” commented Eastern Region Executive Director Karine Birazian. “They both have extremely valuable qualities that will help expand awareness of Armenian related issues within the community.”

Taleen Setrakian, a junior at the Hewitt School, former Hovnanian School graduate, and member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) New Jersey Arsen Chapter, chose to get involved with the ANCA in order to learn about events taking place in the Diaspora, and gain a greater understanding of how the organization is structured here in America and throughout the world. “Because of my pride, devotion, and love of my heritage, I would like to do all I can to help the ANCA, hoping that in the future, I could be an even more significant help to all Armenians around America, Armenia, and the rest of the world,” commented Taleen.

Recent Hovnanian grad Naira Setrakian, is one of the youngest volunteers. She is currently a freshman at the Horace Mann School, and a Junior member of the AYF NJ Arsen Chapter, where she serves on the Chapter Executive. Choosing to volunteer for the ANCA to complete a 40-hour community service project through school, Naira, is actively involved with informing her classmates about Armenian issues, especially the Armenian Genocide. “Learning about the Armenian Genocide is one of the most important issues for me. Increasing genocide awareness, including the tragedies of today, through the ANCA is an exciting and fulfilling project for me.”

One of the projects that both volunteers will be working on involves researching libraries in the Manhattan area and collecting data on Armenian related books that each library contains. Currently dozens of libraries have been researched, including their own school libraries. Both interns are also currently working with the AYF chapter in NJ to encourage the Armenian youth to research their own school libraries. Other projects will include their attendance and participation of local based community events. Following the research, grant requests will be submitted through Armenian organizations to donate these related books to various libraries.

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.

Photo Caption: Taleen and Naira Setrakian