Historic Highlights 1992-1998
1992
Cynthia (Broussalian) Tusan contacts Junior Achievement International (JAI) about a JA/Armenia program. A grant of $1,000 is provided by the Armenian General Benevolent Union to support a feasibility study.
Aram Garabedian composes the first translation of JA materials.
A JAI affiliation application is signed, and JAA is off and running. Vahram Gabrielian is appointed as the first Executive Director. JA of Southern California provides important support during this formative period.
1993
Dr. Mihran Agbabian and Governor George Deukmejian become the first members of JAA’s Honorary Board.
Mid-year, Peace Corps volunteer Trish Fitzgerald and Triad Consulting’s Hasmig (Gevondian) Kouchakdjian are hired to implement a pilot program in eight schools. The US Agency for International Development provides funding for this program. The US Information Service grants funds to translate and print the Applied Economics textbook. MBA students from the American University of Armenia and Haigazian College are hired as teachers. The Presidents of JA of Miami and Cocoa Beach, FL travel to Armenia to assist their training.
1994
California attorney and Republic of Armenia native Armine Hovannisian resigns from the Board of Directors, and is appointed JAA Executive Director.
A start-up grant of $620,000, over a two and a-half year period, is received from USAID as a result of the success of the pilot program. The grant will fund the sustainability and expansion of the program.
An Advisory Board is formed to broaden JAA’s support base in California, throughout the US, and around the world. Dr. Joseph Carrabino, Joseph Stein, and Alice Petrossian are among its first members.
1995
The translation of JA’s Applied Economics textbook, the first material of its kind in Armenia, is completed.
The first-ever Economics Summer Camp, held every year hereafter, is organized in Armenia by JAA.
JAA hosts its first Summer Study Abroad program, bringing the program’s most outstanding students from Armenia to the US. They participate in JAI’s international student forum, and travel to Southern California for meetings, tours, and site visits. A similar program is offered annually hereafter.
JAA incorporates as a nonprofit, public benefit corporation in the State of California, and registers as a legal entity in the Republic of Armenia.
1996
JAA receives 501(c)(3) determination from the Internal Revenue Service.
Cynthia Tusan receives JAI’s Golden Global Leadership Award at a banquet in Los Angeles, CA. Hundreds of supporters attend JAA’s first banquet in Los Angeles, CA with keynote speaker Govenor George Deukmejian.
1997
Joining our Honorary Board are Kenneth L. Khachigian, a political analyst and campaign strategist, and Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian, Director of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.
The Los Angeles and Chicago Regional Committees are established to promote community awareness, fundraising, and activism for the organization.
In May, a team of independent evaluators from the Western Institute for Research and Evaluation travel to Armenia to review the JAA program. The team spends one week in Armenia meeting with dozens of officials and non-government representatives, as well as interviewing members of JAA’s staff. The WIRE group also visits schools in JAA’s regional centers. The final report of the team praises JAA for its program.
In the summer, JAA organizes a panel discussion at the Armenian International Women’s Association’s conference in Paris, France. Recognized for her superior work as Executive Director, Armine Hovannisian receives one of AIWA’s Women of Achievement Awards.
At its annual fall banquet, the Rotary Club of Yerevan presents Mrs. Hovannisian with a Rotary Foundation grant of $12,000. These funds will support the expansion of the program in the Etchmiadzin region.
1998
The first civic education training program for JAA teachers launches a new civics curriculum. Seventeen JAA instructors spend one month in the US for training. The program takes the group to Southern California for three weeks and to Washington, D.C. for several days. This experience is supported by USAID and the Academy for Educational Development.
Eight JAA principals experience several weeks of civic education training in the US. They visit Los Angeles, CA, Bloomington, IN, Iowa City, IA, New York, NY, and Washington, D.C. Funding is from the US Information Service.
JAA is invited to present a report on its progress and success at the annual meeting of JAI’s Board of Directors, held in Washington, D.C.
USAID approves a grant extension of $679,000 for use through August 1999.
New JAA Regional Committees in the Washington, D.C. area and San Francisco Bay Area are formed.
JAA’s first major matching grant is received from Melik and Marlen Kumjian of Whittier, CA. They pledge $5,000 annually, through the end of the century, to match the funds raised by JAA’s Regional Committees.
