Introducing You To The Peace Corps in Armenia

 I have been wanting to share with all of you some of the information I have been finding out about Armenia that makes me excited about being able to go there to work as a part of the Peace Corps.  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgL2IKV8UB0

 Here is some information about the Peace Corps work in Armenia if you would like to get to know what the Peace Corps does.  I would be a part of the Youth and Community Development section of the Armenian Peace Corps group.

http://armenia.peacecorps.gov/data/journals/Newsletter_AnnualReport_Eng_2013.pdf  

One of the things I would like to do as a part of the Youth and Community Development Area of the Peace Corps in Armenia is work with the many Orphans in the country.  Some of the Orphans are there because they have no parents, some of them are there because their parents can't take care of them because of their poverty, but many of them are there because of their disabilities and their parents not being able to take care of them or not wanting them.  My hope is that I might be able to work with some of these orphans especially those with disabilities to make their lives better.  What happens when these orphaned kids grow up and turn 18 since they are not able to become independent and live on their own the only place they can send them is to a mental institution.  There are some groups that are trying to find alternative living settings for the disabled kids and I would love to get involved in expanding or improving their programs.

http://soar-us.org/index.html

One of the programs that a Peace Corps Volunteer helped to start is the Friends of Warm Hearth.  This is the type of program I would like to get involved in but since they are in the capital and we will get placed outside of the capital I will have to look to help expand this program or working with some of the other programs outside of the capital.  I will not know till after my Pre-Service Training in November where they might want to place me and what groups I will work with.

http://www.friendsofwarmhearth.org/

 Learning the language will be my biggest challenge.  To begin with I will have to learn an completely new Alphabet as well as a completely new language.  You can check out this article on How to learn Armenian.  I will start an online language class from April 15th to June 15 so hopefully that will give me an introduction to the language so I will be able to pick up the language easier when I get in the country and will have to speak with people who don't speak English.

http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/11/22/rendahl-top-three-ways-to-learn-armenian/

Here are some YouTube Videos that share some of the things the Peace Corps is doing in Armenia or information about Armenia

https://www.youtube.com/user/PCArmeniaTV

Here are some of the past Peace Corps Journals if you want to check them out.

http://armenia.peacecorps.gov/journals.php

This web page introduces you to the Community and Youth Development Section of Armenia's work.

http://armenia.peacecorps.gov/projects-biz-skills-dev.php

This video shares what the Community Development and Youth Development Department does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knGGpjnatYE&feature=player_embedded#t=0

This is a cute video by some young kids introducing you to Armenia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxtYZ2U9_g8

Here are some great pictures from Armenia if you want to check them out.

http://armenia.peacecorps.gov/img/galleries/Armenia/welcome/welcome_to_armenia.html

http://armenia.peacecorps.gov/img/galleries/Armenia/Nature/Nature_of_Armenia.html

http://armenia.peacecorps.gov/img/galleries/Armenia/people/people_of_armenia.html

This video shares some fall traditions and pictures from Armenia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_slWRdUiNM&feature=youtu.This

I would like to share with you some of the things that the Peace Corps is doing in Armenia through their Facebook group and Blogs from other Peace Corps Volunteers there but I will need to do more research to put together that list of Blogs so that can wait for another day.

My Second Assignment - Create An Aspiration Statement About What I would Like To Do In Armenia

ASPIRATION STATEMENT

Donald S. Krutsinger

Armenia

August 25^th, 2014

A.      The three Professional Attributes that I want to use and promote during my Peace Corps service would be Compassion for those with needs to be met.  Advocacy for those individuals who rely on others to meet their needs and who need a voice to speak up and advocate for them.  Professionalism in my behavior and example while striving to promote and reward Professionalism within the Direct Support Professional Workforce.

B.      Two Strategies I would use in working effectively with my host country partners would be Collaboration in all projects recognizing that in order to accomplish any lasting results we need to work together to choose the projects, develop the support, and follow through with a plan of action to create a lasting program to meet people’s needs.  The second thing would be to evaluate Peoples Needs so that we know that we are working on the correct solution to their problems, we are providing adequate support to meet their needs, and we are creating a program that will be successful and have lasting results.

C.      My strategy for adapting to a new culture that fits into my cultural background is to get to know fellow Christians within local Churches to fellowship and worship together with them.  I would get to know the staff and the individuals that I work with so that I can enjoy friendships with the people that I work with and the people who we serve to take care of.  I would enjoy participating in local festivals, music performances, and learn the local dances.  I would explore the country side, natural beauty, history, and historical buildings of Armenia.

D.      The Skills and knowledge I would hope to gain during Pre-Service Training would be language, communication, and methods of understanding people and signs.  Survival skills such as reading street maps, maneuvering public transportation, and being able to shop for what I need.  Learn the Political and Governmental structure of Armenia and how to work to accomplish things through it.  To learn about Armenia’s Governmental and NGO Mental Health, Orphanages, and Social Services Organizations and how to work with them.

E.       Through my Peace Corps Service I would like to learn how to meet the needs of the Orphaned, Disabled, Mentally Ill, and the Elderly within different Social Service Systems and the many needs that need to be met there.  I want to be able to learn to adapt to different Social Service Systems to use them to meet the needs of People.  I hope to use my experience in Armenia to be able to go into different countries to learn to work within their Society to meet the needs of the Orphaned, Sick, and the Disabled.  I would like to be able to go to countries that do not have as organized a Social Services System, that are dealing with disasters or need for Relief Aide, or may have much less Governmental Social Services Support and be able to meet people’s needs.  I want to learn the principles of Being Better at Doing Good or Learning to Help People without Hurting them.  That would include learning to work within a local Social System to meet people’s needs in a lasting way that doesn’t make them dependent on others as much as learning to become independent in meeting their own needs and feeling free to make their own choices and feeling happy with their lives.

First Assignment - Create a Resume To Be Used For Job Placement In Armenia

Donald Krutsinger

809 89^th Avenue North West, Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433

Cellular 651-895-7210, donkrutsinger@gmail.com

Armenia

August 25^th, 2014

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

· Advocated to get clients into residential and supported work settings.

· Advocated for funding for client related services.

· Secured and supervised volunteer worksites for clients.

· I have worked within the Adolescent Unit at Topeka State Hospital.

Have been a Board Member for Appanoose County Work Activity Center, Friendship

Place Development Committee.

· I am a Board Member for Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota.

· Have assisted in lobbying for increases in public funding for Community Services.

· I have worked in a Supervisory and Direct Service position within Adult Foster Care &

ICF-MR Residential Programs for Autistic Adolescents, MR Adults with Seizure

Disorders, and non-ambulatory residents with Cerebral Palsy and Seizure Disorders

· Supervised clients in sheltered workshop and Community setting.

· I am certified in First Aide, CPR, Med Aide, and trained in Physical Intervention Alternatives.

· Directed activities within a Day Habilitation Community Integration Program.

· Trained and Supervise Work Activities and Volunteer Work in the Workshop and Community.

· Able to work within Microsoft Office: Work, Outlook, Excel, Access, Power Point, and Front Page. · Created agency, organization, and personal DVD presentations and web pages Created Power Point, DVD & CD Slide Show or Video Presentations.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

2004 Fundamentals of Case Management - Iowa Association Of  Counties

2004 Applied Behavior Analysis Course – TARC

2004 B.S.W., Social Work - Washburn University. Topeka, Kansas

1979 Clinical Chaplaincy Internship – Mental Health Institute – Independence, Iowa

1978 M. Div., Ministry - North Park Seminary. Chicago, Illinois

1973 B.A., Religion Major, Psychology Minor - North Park College. Chicago, Illinois

Donald Krutsinger

809 89^th Avenue North West,

Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433

Cellular 651-895-7210, donkrutsinger@gmail.com

Armenia

August 25^th, 2014

WORK HISTORY:

2006 – Present Program Coordinator & Floating DSP - REM Minnesota Inc

2009 - Present Personal Care Attendant - Metropolitan Center for Independent Living.

2007 - 2009   Service Professional - Phoenix Residence Inc.  Newport, Minnesota

2004 - 2005  Targeted Case Manager - Community Services Of Franklin County. Hampton, Iowa

1994 - 2004    Day Services Associate - TARC. Topeka, Kansas

1999 - 2004    Support Staff Team Member - Sheltered Living Inc. Topeka, Kansas

1998 – 1999   Para Instructor - Lawrence Public Schools. Lawrence, Kansas

1988 – 1998   Teaching Counselor - Community Living Opportunities. Lawrence, Kansas          

1985 -1986    Residential Staff – Breakthrough Living Program, Topeka, Kansas

1981 – 1982   Adolescent Unit Staff – Topeka State Hospital, Topeka, Kansas

1979 – 1981   Pastor – 1st Covenant Church, Centerville, Iowa                     

1978 – 1979   Chaplaincy Intern, Mental Health Institute, Independence, Iowa                

Foreign Languages:

            Will take AL 102: Beginners Eastern Armenian – Armenian Virtual College

Spanish for Requesting Personal Information and Data

            American Sign Language Training

Augmentative Communication Training using IPad, Computers, & Augmentative Communication Devices.

Personal Hobbies:

Sailing, Music, Biking, Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoeing, Computer and Internet Activities, Taking Digital Photos and Videos, Video and Photo Editing for DVD Presentations, Christian Fellowship and Church Services, Community Celebrations, Dancing, and Musical Performances.

My invitation to serve in Armenia in the Peace Corps starting August 25, 2014

My Letter to Family and Friends

I thought I would share with you my invitation information to serve in the Peace Corps in Armenia.  The letter and the two attachments should give you a fairly good introduction to what I will do and where I will be going.  Since the Departure Date is August 25^th and my roommate would be happy to have me out of here by the 1^st of August I believe I will probably Retire by the 19^th of July, move a load of my things to Iowa by the 23^rd of July, attend my 45^th Class Reunion on July 24^th -26^th, and have everything moved out in Minnesota by August 1^st.   I would then divide my time between Iowa and then spend some time in Kansas with all of you before departing for Armenia hopefully from Kansas City Airport.  I will probably come down for a visit sometime in June and bring with me whatever things that I thought you might want to keep with you or use while I am gone.  I will send in my acceptance of the invitation this week and probably be getting plenty of tasks to complete before I get the final information regarding placement and departure.  I will share with all of you information that I receive and discover about Armenia and feel free to share that information with Lindsey and Matthew or any other family or friends.  Please let me know what plans you have for August 9^th to the 24^th and whether I could spend some time with each of you during that time before I leave for Armenia.  I would probably spend some time in Topeka, Kansas and around Kansas during the week when you are busy working.  When we get closer to the time maybe we can figure out what your schedule or plans are and maybe we can also plan to do some things together before I leave.  Please let me know what your thoughts and plans are.

With Love,

Donald Krutsinger

My Peace Corps Invitation to Armenia has Finally Arrived.

Armenia

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

Community and Youth Development

Country:

(Post Name)

Program:

Community and Youth Development

Job Title:

Community & Youth Development Generalist (AA162)

NGO/Community Development Specialist (AA145)

Dates of Service:

November 13, 2014– November 13, 2016*

Staging Dates (in US):

August 25, 2014*

Pre-Service Training (in Armenia):

August 28 – November 13, 2014*

A NOTE FROM THE PROGRAM MANAGER

Dear Invitee,

First of all let me thank you for your commitment. For two years, we will be working together supporting local organizations and communities. I strongly believe you have the skills and experience to assist in this project, as well as the flexibility, maturity and resourcefulness to handle the cultural differences and new language.

You will be expected to demonstrate considerable initiative and flexibility in order to be effective and make a contribution in Armenia. Your assignment will be challenging and will present exceptional opportunities for professional and personal growth. Armenia is a growing country and has many socioeconomic problems which create challenges for Peace Corps Volunteers in their everyday work. With your patience and commitment you will make a difference and the people in your site will again have hope for a better future. Let us share and build better skills with our counterparts, to help them provide better lives for their community.

I am excited to welcome you to Armenia!

Stepan S’hoyan,

Program Manager

Community & Youth Development

PEACE CORPS ARMENIA HISTORY

The Peace Corps program in Armenia began in 1992, following the signing of an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the Government of Armenia (GOAM). Since then, over 830 Volunteers in 21 groups have served in four different projects. Recently, the projects have been focused in two project sectors – Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Community & Youth Development (CYD).The Ministry of Education & Science and the Ministry of Youth & Sport serve as the primary GOAM partners. Peace Corps Armenia has two cross-sector programming priorities – Gender Equality/Women’s Empowerment, and HIV/AIDS, in which all PCVs can choose to become involved.

The first Memorandum of Agreement with the Ministry of Education & Science was signed in January 1994. The Memorandum of Understanding and the adjacent Action Plan are periodically renewed as specified in the Agreement.

CYD PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The CYD project initially started out as a business and economic development project in the spring of 1992 in response to the GOAM's request for assistance with the country’s transition to a free market economy. Over the past 19 years, the program has evolved to encompass “Community Development” in a broad sense of the term. In February 2012, Peace Corps Armenia redesigned it to the CYD project to better respond to the development priorities of Armenia that are within the capacity of Peace Corps to provide assistance. This redesign resulted in two specific focus areas: 1) Organizational Development, and 2) Youth Empowerment. As such, the purpose of the project is to “empower community organizations and youth to build and sustain a strong civil society.” The goals and objectives of the project are outlined in the next section.
CYD Volunteers are assigned to work in one of the administrative regions of Armenia (called Marz) where they provide technical support to local nongovernmental organizations (NGO), educational institutions, community based organizations, youth centers and/or youth groups.
The job of a Peace Corps Volunteer, like any other professional job, has requirements: Volunteers are assigned to an organization or institution with a work schedule of 20+ hours a week, typically on a Mon-Fri work schedule.
Perseverance, patience, adaptability, and flexibility will all be necessary in building small accomplishments at the community level into sustainable progress. The Peace Corps CYD project is a team