Category: 2019

This year, the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA is celebrating its 35th Anniversary with a Gala at the Glendale Hilton on March 9.

At the time the Western Region was established, there were 15 chapters in the Western United States. One of the first challenges for the ARS of Western USA was to find a headquarters from which to conduct its activities, including managing the network of ARS Saturday Schools and the ARS Social Services Centers that opened in 1979.

Thanks to a generous donation from Armenouhi Nazigian, the ARS Western Region finally found a home at 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd in Glendale, opening its doors just days before the devastating earthquake that struck Armenia on December 7, 1988.

The Nazigian Center immediately became the nerve center of the ARS Western Region in the days, weeks and months after the quake. Boxes of containers full of aid were collected at the tiny Center and air freighted to Armenia. More than $4.5 million in aid was raised with the cooperation of the Western Prelacy; and went toward building housing for the homeless, sending medical and dental equipment, establishing mental health clinics and renovating hospitals and schools in the earthquake zone areas of Gyumri and Spitak. For 27 years, until 2015, the ARS Western Region sent aid to 2,000 orphans of the earthquake.

The ARS, recognizing that it had outgrown its small domicile, built a 2-story, 7,100-square foot complex that houses its offices, the ARS Social Services Center, Guidance Center, and parking in 1999.

The ARS Western Region has also had a big role in aiding Armenian communities in Artsakh, Javakhk, Iraq, Syria and other areas where there have been political upheavals and societal conflict. To this day, the ARS Western Region, with the support of its 25 chapters, provides operational expenses for 2 kindergartens in Artsakh and 2 youth centers in Javakhk, located in Georgia. In 2016, when homelessness in Los Angeles became rampant, the ARS Western Region started a program called the ARS Families in Need Fund with the help of many of its chapters.

Proceeds from the 35th Anniversary Gala of the ARS of Western USA will benefit the ARS Families in Need Fund. Headlining the Gala will be a video and proclamations honoring Jasik Boniatian Jarahian, who has selflessly served the ARS of Western USA for 30 years in advancing its cause to help communities both locally and internationally.

For further information about the Gala, please contact the ARS Regional Headquarters at (818) 500-1343 or [email protected],

The Armenian Relief Society, founded in 1910 in New York City, has chapters in 27 countries around the world. The ARS of Western USA is one of 10 regional bodies that govern the international network of ARS chapters. There are 1,240 members of the Armenian Relief Society in the Western Region.

Our region’s pivotal programs are aimed at offering assistance to individuals and families in need through the areas of educational, social and family services, humanitarian aid, cultural advancement, and more. The ARS of Western USA operates a Social Services Division; a Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center; 16-one day schools and 3 full-time day care preschools. ARS also provides support to kindergartens and youth centers in Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk.

The Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Southern California, supported by the Consulates General of Japan, Greece, and Armenia in Los Angeles, will hold an event highlighting the story of the Japanese ship that rescued hundreds of refugees in Smyrna almost 100 years ago.

The event is scheduled to take place Friday, February 15, at 7 p.m. at the Huffington Center of the St. Sophia Cathedral

The event will include remarks by the Consuls General of Japan, Greece, and Armenia and will feature a special presentation by Dr. Nanako Murata Sawayanagi of Toyo University, who has done extensive research on the topic.

Almost one hundred years have passed since a Japanese ship is said to have rescued scores of Greek and Armenian refugees in Asia Minor. Some have orally passed down the story of the rescue during the Smyrna disaster of September 1922, but due to limited historical records, much of the event has been lost to the mists of history.

Attendees will include leaders of the Greek, Armenian, and Japanese communities, and additional community representatives. The reception following the program will feature food and refreshments from Japan and Greece.

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GLENDALE—The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region announced the official release of the Walter and Laurel Karabian Fellowship Program application for the 2019-2020 term. The Walter and Laurel Karabian Fellowship is a nine-month experience in Sacramento, California that offers young Armenian-Americans the opportunity to enhance their leadership and professional skills. The purpose of this fellowship will be to produce professionals in the public policy and political arena.

In addition to the projects assigned to them by supervisors at the various offices or agencies, fellows will be required to attend networking events and weekly seminars throughout the year, providing professional training, networking skills, and opportunities to meet other professionals within the public policy sector. Participants will be provided a stipend to assist with housing and living costs.

The first phase of the fellowship (September – December 2019), will include a placement with an advocacy organization, a labor union, think tank, or other setting where they could gain valuable political or public policy experience. Depending upon the opportunities available, and the fellow’s interests, the first phase may be spent in Sacramento, or elsewhere in the state. During the second phase—January through May 2020—the fellow will be placed in a legislative office at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

Prospective applicants may now apply by visiting ancawr.org/fellowship. Deadline to apply for the 2019-2020 fellowship program is May 15, 2019.

The ANCA-WR was pleased to announce that the inaugural year of its Walter and Laurel Karabian Fellowship yielded even greater success than anticipated, as Anahit Sargsyan, the first Karabian fellow, was hired by State Senator Anthony Portantino to work as a Legislative Assistant at his state capitol office. This news came just a few months after the organization announced the selection of Sargsyan and six months prior to when the fellowship session was scheduled to conclude.

Sargsyan began the first phase of the fellowship in fall 2016, working on the election campaign of State Senator Anthony Portantino (D-25). Portantino was impressed by Sargsyan and he offered to have her complete the second phase of her fellowship at his Capitol Office. Thereafter, Portantino offered her a paid position on his staff.

“The ANCA-WR is excited to offer young driven professionals with experience and potential job opportunities through the duration of this fellowship and thanks the continued patronage of the fellowships benefactor Mr. Walter Karabian, Esq,” stated ANCA-WR Board Member Nareg Kitsinian, Esq.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.