Armenian Volunteer Corps

The Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) is a volunteer placement organization based in Yerevan that enables people from around the world to undertake short- or long-term volunteer service in Armenia. Its stated purpose is to connect participants with work that contributes to the country’s social and economic development while supporting cross-cultural exchange and practical engagement with Armenian institutions and communities. AVC was established in 2000 by Father Hovnan, also known as Jason Demerjian, Tamar Hajian, and Dr. Tom Samuelian. Demerjian had previously served as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia, an experience that informed the organization’s focus on structured international service and local placement. The organization accepts participants aged 21 and above and accommodates people with different levels of professional experience, from younger adults seeking internships or community work to established professionals and older volunteers offering specialized expertise. Its placement network spans a broad range of sectors. Depending on skills, interests, and availability, volunteers may work with hospitals, schools, newspapers, cultural organizations, public-policy institutions, government ministries, community-development groups, telecentres, summer camps, orphanages, and other partner organizations. AVC also arranges customized placements rather than limiting participants to a single standardized service role. Reference material describes a network of more than 1,300 partner organizations, although the date and current status of that figure are not specified. The organization’s support model extends beyond matching people to assignments. AVC provides pre-service orientation, assistance during the service period, host-family accommodation options, Armenian-language instruction at no charge, and weekly excursions intended to help participants become familiar with the country. These services are designed to reduce the practical barriers associated with living and working in Armenia and to encourage sustained interaction with local communities. AVC organizes participation through three broad programs. The Junior Corps is aimed at participants aged 21 to 31 and generally requires at least one month of service, with the possibility of extending participation for up to a year. Junior participants normally volunteer for at least 30 hours per week; international students studying in Armenia may have a lower weekly commitment when enrolled full time. The Professional Corps serves experienced adults aged 32 to 59. Participants generally commit at least 20 hours per week to work in their professional field or another agreed area, with short placements available and longer stays possible. The Senior Corps is intended for people aged 60 and older, likewise with a typical minimum commitment of 20 hours per week and opportunities to remain for periods of up to one year. AVC is best understood as a nonprofit-oriented service and placement platform rather than a conventional consumer brand. Its value proposition rests on access to locally relevant placements, logistical support, language learning, cultural immersion, and flexible participation for people of different ages and professional backgrounds. Publicly supplied material does not provide enough information to establish its current legal structure, funding model, leadership, financial scale, or present operating status.

The Armenian Volunteer Corps was founded in 2000 by Father Hovnan (Jason) Demerjian, Tamar Hajian, and Dr. Tom Samuelian. The organization emerged as a structured channel through which people from outside Armenia could spend time in the country while contributing to local institutions and communities. Demerjian’s prior experience as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia provided relevant background for developing an organization centered on international service, cultural exchange, and locally directed placements. From its base in Yerevan, AVC developed a model that combines volunteer matching with practical support for living in Armenia. Rather than limiting service to one field, it places participants with organizations operating in areas such as health care, education, public policy, journalism, culture, government, community development, technology access, youth activities, and child welfare. The organization also supports customized placements, allowing a participant’s abilities and interests to be matched with the needs of a host institution. AVC’s service model includes preparation before arrival and assistance during the placement. Participants may receive orientation, help with integration, host-family accommodation options, Armenian-language classes, and organized excursions. These features distinguish the organization from a simple referral service by addressing the cultural and logistical challenges of extended participation in Armenia. Reference material states that AVC has worked with more than 1,300 organizations across different sectors, but does not specify the date of that count or identify which partnerships remain active. The organization’s programs are divided by participant age and experience. The Junior Corps serves adults from 21 to 31, typically requiring at least one month and a weekly commitment of about 30 hours. The Professional Corps is designed for adults from 32 to 59 who wish to apply professional skills or explore another field, generally with a minimum weekly commitment of 20 hours. The Senior Corps serves participants aged 60 and above on a similar weekly schedule. Each program permits longer stays, in some cases extending to one year, subject to the relevant program conditions. The supplied reference material does not document later organizational restructurings, changes in ownership, formal mergers, major public campaigns, controversies, financial results, or a confirmed current leadership team. Consequently, the available history supports AVC’s founding, service model, program structure, and sector coverage, but not a fuller chronology of its later development.

• 2000

  Armenian Volunteer Corps founded

  [1]Armenian Volunteer Corpsen.wikipedia.org

  Father Hovnan (Jason) Demerjian, Tamar Hajian, and Dr. Tom Samuelian established the Armenian Volunteer Corps to facilitate international volunteer service and community engagement in Armenia.

A structured volunteer placement and cultural-integration organization for international participants seeking service, internship, or professional contribution opportunities in Armenia.

• Volunteer and internship placement

  Junior Corps Program

  A program for participants aged 21 to 31 seeking volunteer or internship opportunities in Armenia. The standard commitment is at least one month, with participation potentially extending to one year. Members generally contribute at least 30 hours each week to one or more partner organizations. International students enrolled full time in Armenia may qualify for a reduced weekly commitment.

• Professional volunteer placement

  Professional Corps Program

  A placement program for experienced professionals aged 32 to 59. Participants generally contribute a minimum of 20 hours per week in their area of expertise or another agreed field. Short stays are available under the program’s stated conditions, while longer participation can extend for up to a year.

• Senior volunteer placement

  Senior Corps Program

  A program for volunteers aged 60 and older. It supports short-term and extended service, with participants generally contributing at least 20 hours each week to selected projects. The program is intended to make professional, community, and life experience available to Armenian partner organizations.

• Participant integration services

  Volunteer Support Services

  A package of practical services accompanying AVC placements, including pre-service orientation, support during service, host-family accommodation options, Armenian-language classes, and weekly excursions. These services help participants adapt to everyday life in Armenia and engage more effectively with host organizations and communities.

1. 1Armenian Volunteer Corpsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Armenian Volunteer Corps official websitearmenianvolunteer.org