CANOGA PARK, Calif. — Homenetmen’s San Fernando Valley “Massis” Chapter is calling on the community to help make room for its next generation. With growing demand for its programs and families waiting to join, Massis has a rare opportunity to expand by purchasing the commercial building directly next door to the Harry K. Ayvazian Youth Center.
The chapter’s growth has made additional space a priority. More than 1,260 active members and 100 teams currently share a single court, with several teams practicing at rented gyms across the Valley. In the past three years alone, more than 660 families have applied to join, and many are still waiting to call Massis home.
Purchasing the property would be the first step. Transforming it into courts, classrooms and usable community space would require additional investment. Both phases would depend on the generosity and involvement of the Massis family and the broader community.
The building next door offers a way to meet that need while keeping the Massis community together. Offered at $5.8 million, the property at 20935 and 20945 Osborne Street shares a property line with the current center. Combining the two properties could create one connected campus, nearly tripling the chapter’s indoor space from roughly 11,000 to more than 31,000 square feet.
That additional space would allow Massis to expand from one court to three, bring teams home and welcome more families. The proposed expansion would also make room for Armenian language classes, Scouting and Troop 1918, meetings, events, and youth and adult programming alongside athletic activities.
The chance to grow directly next door makes this an especially meaningful opportunity for Massis. Turning it into a reality will take a collective effort from families, businesses, organizations and supporters who believe in creating a lasting home for the next generation.
Joseph Titizian, Chairman, Homenetmen Massis Chapter Executive Board commented on the need to expand, “We have run out of room to say yes to our own community. The building next door lets us bring every team home, welcome the families who are waiting, and finally be more than a court. This is how our generation answers the charge Homenetmen was founded on in 1918 — to rise, and to raise others with us.”
To share the vision and discuss the path forward, Massis invites the entire community to a meeting on Thursday, October 15, at 6:30 PM at the Harry K. Ayvazian Youth Center, 20953 Osborne Street, Canoga Park. Attendees will learn more about the property, the financial commitment required and how they can help. Parents, grandparents, coaches, players, scouts, alumni, friends and supporters are all welcome.
Thursday’s meeting is an opportunity to ask questions, explore ways to contribute and help shape what comes next. The chapter encourages everyone who cares about its future to attend and bring others who may be willing to help.
For generations, families have helped build and sustain Massis. Now, the community has an opportunity to build on that legacy and make room for more children and families. Join us on October 15 to be part of that conversation.
Բարձրացի՛ր, Բարձրացո՛ւր — rise, and raise others with you.
Homenetmen is the Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, founded in 1918 and active across five continents. The Massis Chapter, based in Canoga Park, is one of its largest, home to more than 1,260 active members, 100 athletic teams and the Scouts of Troop 1918. For more than a generation, it has been where Armenian families in the San Fernando Valley come to play, to lead and to belong. Learn more at Homenetmen “Massis” Chapter’s website.
—