Programs

Future Leaders Exchange » FLEX Alumni

When FLEX participants return, the program isn't over. On the contrary--their return marks the beginning of a new life full of opportunities and experiences because FLEX participants return as members of the active FLEX alumni family!

A FLEX Alumni Coordinator supports and helps the FLEX alumni to recover from the cultural shock of returning to Armenia after a year in the U.S., find friends with similar interests, overcome problems, and attain their goals--personally and professionally. FLEX alumni have the outstanding opportunity to participate in democracy-building workshops and round-tables, professional development seminars, monthly meetings with experts from different fields, volunteer activities, and social events. These opportunities are the first steps to becoming the Future Leaders of Armenia.

The first event in which FLEX alumni participate upon their return is a re-entry seminar, during which their experience in the U.S. and what awaits them at home are discussed. More information about alumni activities and opportunities are also presented. During the re-entry seminar they have a great opportunity to meet other alumni and share their thoughts.

FLEX alumni are eligible to join theU.S. State Alumniwebsite, which is specifically designed for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored programs, including FLEX. This is a place where they can find out more about job and grant opportunities, as well as find alumni and host families. Among many other things, the website has a calendar of upcoming alumni events, a photo gallery and a variety of discussion forums.

The FLEX Alumni Coordinator keeps track of the contact information for alumni in order to keep them up-to-date on volunteer and development opportunities and to distribute the quarterly alumni newsletter calledThe Bradley Herald.

Upcoming alumni events are posted on this website in theUpcoming Eventscategory of News and Events. The success stories of our alumni can also be found atFLEX Alumni Success Stories.

For upcoming events and suggestions for FLEX alumni activities please feel free to contact the FLEX Alumni Coordinator at:f_alumni@americancouncils.am

World Cup Fundraising

On World Cup Final's day, July 11 20 FLEX Alumni divided into groups of 4 and went around the city of Yerevan for to fundraise money for Vanadzor orphanage. FLEX Alumni and painted the faces of the football fans. The cost of one flag was 500 AMD. In four the most crowded places of the city FLEX Alumni painted more then 150 faces and hands. FLEX Alumni fundraised 90000 AMD about $250. The whole city was in colors! Crowds were waiting in turns to color their favorite football teams' flags! One could notice FLEX Alumni in all the parts of the downtown of Yerevan. The whole money was fundraised in 3 hours. After the successful fundraising FLEX Alumni gathered at the AC office to watch the World Cup Final match between Spain and Netherlands. The fundraised money will used for to buy some needy things for Vanadzor orphanage. FLEX Alumni are planning to travel to Vanadzor on July 25.

Tree Watering

In cooperation with Union of Young University Students NGO FLEX Alumni held a tree watering event at the Armenian Genocide Museum Park on June 3. FLEX Alumni had planted 120 trees on the GYSD day back in April but watered more then 240 trees which was planted by Union of Young University Students NGO Youth. 6 tons of water was used to water the trees. Almost all media representatives of all Armenian TV channels reported the event. FLEX Alumni gave interviews etc. Armenian Genocide Museum provided all the equipments in kind. The Union of Young University Students provided transportation to the park and back and FLEX Alumni covered the water expenses. About 30 FLEX Alumni and 50 other youth participated. After the tree watering FLEX Alumni watched the world cup soccer game at the AC office. Argentina vs. Germany.

Gyumri Trip

International Children's day is NOT Over,

On June 20, 2010, 12 FLEX alumni together with popular rapper HT Hayko went to Gyumri to visit "Huys" orphanage. With the donation money that was previously collected on HT Hayko's concert on June 1, presents were bought for the orphanage. The presents included plates, spoons, forks, cups and toys. There are currently 68 orphans aged 3-18 years from different regions of Shirak Marz in "Huys" orphanage. Translated, Huys means HOPE. Hayko's and FLEX Alumni visit gave them hope for a better future. Orphans helped to open the presents and enjoyed meeting with popular person and FLEX Alumni. Six FLEX Alumni from Gyumri joined the alumni from Yerevan. Robert Sukiasyan '10, Elen Sahradyan '10, Robert Nahapetyan '09, Zina Hovhannisyan '08, Hasmik Tonapetyan '09, Ani Arabajyan '10.
Later alumni had a meeting at the American Corner's office in Gyumri to discuss the possible ways of assigning city representatives in Gyumri to organize various events for the alumni in there also. Bradley Herald newsletters were distributed to the alumni from Gyumri.
The Gyumri FLEX Alumni organized a guided tour in the streets of the second largest city of Armenia, where alumni from Yerevan were able to see the memorable sights and take pictures.

On the way back FLEX Alumni had a "KEBAB" picnic in one of the beautiful parts of Shirak region.

Blood Drive

In cooperation with Union of Young University Students NGO, FLEX alumni held a blood drive at the AC office on June 14, 2010. The blood drive was held by Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Their mission is to recruit and provide matched unrelated donors for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation to all Armenian and non-Armenian patients worldwide who are suffering from leukemia and other blood related illnesses.www.abmdr.am
The motto of the day was "Be an Angel, Save a Life!". 40 "Angels" out of 60 were eligible to give blood. The donors were mostly the FLEX alumni, AC staff, and also 10 people form the Union of Young University Students NGO. FLEX alumni had prepared balloons with the motto for the ones who became donors. An introduction was held before the drive by Professor Nazaretyan. A short discussion followed the introduction. 3-5 ml of blood was given for the first time. Later the donors will be contacted if their blood matches with the blood of one of the patients.

Fundraising for International children's day
HT Hayko who is a very popular rapper in Armenia had aconcert on June the 1 in Yerevan. FLEX alumni had a special agreement with HT Hayko Production. 20% of each ticket bought or sold by the FLEX alumni from the AC office was saved for "Huys" orphanage in Gyumri. On May 23 FLEX alumni started selling and buying HT Hayko concert's tickets using their networks trying to find HT Hayko fans. They used social networks (Facebook, Odnoklassniki, Vkontakte etc.) trying to find fans. On Sunday June 30 seven FLEX alumni went around the city of Yerevan offering people to buy concert's tickets and CDs which had the charity part in it. Final fundraising was held during HT Hayko's concert on June 1. FLEX Alumni made 3 donation boxes and placed them at the concert hall encouraging people to donate. HT Hayko himself donated big sum of money on the stage during the concert for motivating people to donate. FLEX Alumni sold T-shirts, accessories with HT Hayko's trademark and drinks during the concert part of which went for donation also. Six FLEX Alumni and two other volunteers participated on June the 1'st fundraising. In total 85000AMD ($223) was fundraised from May 23 to June 1.
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FLEX alumni held another June 1st event. In cooperation with group of journalists FLEX alumni donated clothes at the AC office from May 24th to June 1st. The clothe donation was for the International Children's day. The clothes were collected for very poor families in Tavush villages Aygehovit (6 kids), Vazashen (5 kids), Gosh (6 kids), Tsakhkavan (5 kids).Clothes were donated for girls and boys of age 1-15.

FLEX Alumni15^thAnniversary

On February 25th 2010, the FLEX Alumni program celebrated its 15^thanniversary at the US Embassy of Armenia. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Marie Yovanovitch, and Minister of Education and Science of Armenia, Armen Ashotyan, congratulated the group of more then 100 FLEX Alumni and official guests on the occasion of this "crystal" anniversary. Both Ambassador Yovanovitch and Minister Ashotyan commended the FLEX alumni for their personal successes and contributions to their country. Certificates were awarded to Ludwig Makyan '01 for continuous support to alumni community building; Sonya Armaghanyan '04 for organizing the most creative cultural and educational activities; and YFA (Youth for Achievements), and NGO founded by the first group of FLEX alumni, for leadership in democracy building and community service in Armenia. A cake cutting ceremony and reception followed, during which FLEX alumni and guests shared and enjoyed chatting with old friends, making new acquaintances, and sharing stories of their FLEX exchange experiences in the US.