LOS ANGELES–The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) will continue the tradition established last year to clean up the Little Armenia’section of Los Angeles–with its new five-phase project "Little Armenia Beautification Program."
Implementation of the program will begin in March and continue throughout the year. Plans include tree planting–erecting an Armenian cultural sculpture–placing trash receptacles throughout major streets in Little Armenia–volunteering assistance to business owners who wish to beautify their properties–and conducting a large-scale community clean up.
"Feedback received from the community last year with our Little Armenia Clean Up encouraged us to renew and expand our efforts to help Little Armenia," explains AYF Public Relations Administrator Raffi Semerdjian. "We look forward to working with Council member Eric Garcetti’s office once again and are hopeful that together–with the help of the Armenian American community–all of our projects can become a reality."
Last year’s September 6 AYF Little Armenia Clean Up attracted 400 volunteers who–according to the City of Los Angeles Sanitation Department–collected more than 23,000 pounds of trash. Days after the clean up–the AYF–in cooperation with local businesses–was able to post about 40 "Welcome to Little Armenia" light post banners.
"As an area of the city that bears the name of our homeland–it’s crucial for Little Armenia to look clean and presentable to the public at large," says AYF Western Region chairman Vicken Sosikian. "Service to our communities is a part of the AYF mission. With the Little Armenia Beautification Program–we will not only be able to serve the Armenian American community of Little Armenia–but the city of Los Angeles as well."
TheAYF of Western United States strives to serve Armenian American Communities west of the Mississippi through education–athletics–political activism–cultural activities–and social settings.