“LEAP” is a psycho-spiritual growth program for adolescents aged 12–14, implemented through cooperation between the Armenian Spiritual Revival Foundation and AGBU.
The program’s name is rooted in one of the core ideas of the Foundation’s psycho-spiritual approach: the “leap of faith.” It helps adolescents — especially those affected by war and its aftermath — get to know themselves better, discover their strengths, strengthen their sense of belonging, and look toward the future with greater confidence, even when present difficulties may have made that future feel disrupted or out of reach.
Since late 2024, the program has been implemented at AGBU summer camps, reaching more than 1,100 adolescents from different communities across Armenia, including children from families displaced from Artsakh.
Every adolescent carries a story, experience, strength, dreams, and the potential to build a future.
But because of war, displacement, loss, uncertainty, or prolonged stress, the future can sometimes feel unclear. An adolescent may continue studying, socializing, and taking part in everyday life, while inside losing confidence that their choices matter and that the future is possible.
“LEAP” is about restoring that confidence.
The program creates a safe, warm, and supportive environment where adolescents can:
“LEAP” was developed with leading Armenian and international experts, building on the Foundation’s psycho-spiritual approach and the experience of the “Armenian Revival Journey” program for adults.
Impact assessment of the adult programs has shown that the Foundation’s approach can create meaningful value for participants by strengthening inner clarity, a sense of belonging, personal agency, and confidence in the future.
Based on this experience, “LEAP” was developed as a psycho-spiritual growth program adapted for adolescents. It is currently in the research and impact assessment stage. The data collected will help the Foundation further refine the program and later present it as a basis for cooperation with relevant organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.
“LEAP” is an interactive program where adolescents take part in creative, group-based, and self-discovery activities.
“LEAP” is a 5-day program consisting of daily 1.5-hour sessions.
Each session has its own theme and purpose. Participants speak about their experiences of overcoming difficulties, discover their strengths, reflect on values that come from family and roots, and explore their identity, support network, dreams, and future goals.
Here, adolescents are not told what to feel or how to think. They are supported in listening to themselves, listening to others, and seeing that their story is not only about difficulty. It can also become a story of strength, choice, and future.
The results showed positive changes among children who participated in the program:
It is grounded in Armenian cultural and historical experience.
It applies an innovative psycho-spiritual methodology.
It helps children focus not on difficulties, but on their own strengths.
It strengthens hope, a sense of belonging, and confidence in the future.
It is delivered by trained professionals in line with international standards for child safety and well-being.
“LEAP” is more than a camp program.
It is an opportunity for children to rediscover their strength, believe in their own abilities, and build tomorrow with greater confidence.
