Montreal – On September 15, 2011, the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) of Montreal launched their first-ever Mentorship Program. The program was initiated by YP Montreal vice-chairwoman Maral Kessemjian, a human resources specialist, and YP member Garo Sahinyan, an information technology project manager.

During the launch, YP Montreal chairwoman Sarine Chitilian introduced the two initiators of the program, explaining, “Both Garo and Maral have proven to the YP Montreal executive team that ‘when there is a will, there is a way.’ Sometimes, as university students or new graduates enter the work force, they have the will yet are looking for a mentor to show them the way, and this is where YP Montreal will be helping them with the launch of its Mentorship Program.”

YP Montreal presented the short- and long-term benefits the program is expected to have on both mentors and mentees. Interested members completed a questionnaire that will help program coordinators with the mentorship matching process. The Mentorship Program will be aligned with the university calendar year, and coordinators will perform monthly follow-ups with involved parties, as well as hold mixers and information sessions to facilitate interaction and strengthen team spirit and collaboration amongst all participants.

YP Montreal is on the right path to guide the future young professionals of their community. Several students enthusiastically approached YP Montreal executives, saying this outreach effort is an essential element they have been missing for years and that they look forward to having a successful year with their participation in the Mentorship Program. Interested participants are invited to join by contacting yp.montreal@gmail.com.

Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit www.agbu.org.

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