Armenian Relief Society

The Kaiser Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA. The grant will benefit the society's Glendale-based Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center. The center was established 10 years ago to serve people ranging in age from 4 to 80 by providing psychological counseling that addresses mental health problems such as depression, grief and family conflicts. “Since 2001, the center has proven itself as a valuable resource to many throughout our community, who turn to the guidance of our trained therapists for mental health support,” said Nyree Derderian, chair of the ARS Regional Executive Board.

Glendale is full of organizations that make a difference in people's lives every day. Over the weekend, one of those agencies, the Armenian Relief Society, celebrated 90 years of reaching out and offering assistance. The nonprofit organization provides a broad range of services to the Armenian community. With Armenians being Glendale's largest ethnic group, the agency's efforts are especially valuable to our community. In addition to an office in Glendale -- at 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.

Rima Shah Fine cuisine and high fashion will serve those with less Saturday, at the Armenian Relief Society's annual fundraising event. This year, the luncheon commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and marks the 30th anniversary of the Glendale chapter of the Armenian Relief Society, its chairwoman Christine Hovnanian said. After a gap of four years, a fashion show featuring the works of Persian designer Shala Dorris will accompany the luncheon.

Josh Kleinbaum The City Council doled out millions of dollars Tuesday in federal grants to community organizations, but federal budget cuts forced the council to reduce funding to most organizations from previous years. Focusing on programs aimed at helping youth, the City Council voted 3-0, with Councilman Frank Quintero abstaining, to award $3.06 million in community development block grants. That figure is nearly $250,000 less than last year. Organizations submitted $5.4 million in requests, forcing the council to make difficult decisions.

Armenian culture was shared through song and dance, food and fellowship during this weekend’s Armenian Festival organized by the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA. The event at the Glendale Civic Auditorium was the seventh annual festival organized by the group, and it marked the 98th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Relief Society, a group that provides humanitarian assistance and social services in the U.S. and abroad....

Karen S. Kim SOUTHWEST GLENDALE -- An open forum regarding immigration laws and regulations will be offered to Glendale residents at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Jane Arellano, assistant director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service Los Angeles District, will host the forum to answer the questions of participants. An Armenian translator will be available for interpretation. Loo Nguyen, director of the Immigration and Refugee Department of the Catholic Charities, Los Angeles, will also discuss low-cost and free health insurance for children and those granted political asylum status in the U.S. at the forum.

Armenian Festival to be held this weekend The Fifth Annual Armenian Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. The event begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, with opening ceremonies at 2 p.m. Armenian cultural exhibits will be showcased on the lower level of the auditorium, including hand-made tablecloths, paintings and traditional Armenian clothing. Armenian foods will also be on sale, with chefs on hand to demonstrate how to prepare the types of the stringed cheeses and baked breads on display.

Glendale Memorial Hospital awarded $118,263 to nine local nonprofits on Thursday. The recipients of this year's grants were the Armenian Relief Society, Ascencia, Glendale's Commission on the Status of Women, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, the Glendale Assn. for the Retarded, the Glendale Community Free Health Clinic, Glendale Healthy Kids, the Glendale Salvation Army and the YWCA of Glendale. The money, awarded through the hospital's Community Grants Program, is provided by Glendale Memorial's parent company, Dignity Health.

The entrance of 60 Armenian Relief Society honorees clad in tricolor ribbons into the Glendale Hilton Hotel's Grand Ballroom inspired a standing ovation by the more than 500 guests attending the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA's Gala 2012 on April 27. Honorees were selected by their respective chapters in the society's Western USA region to be recognized for their excellence in service in categories including longtime member, financially supportive...

A business leadership summer camp for girls came under fire this week as the City Council, acting in its dual role as the Housing Authority, decided how to divvy up shrinking federal funds for public social services. Councilman Ara Najarian said he didn't want to give "Camp Rosie: Rosie Goes to Wall Street" $10,000 of community development block grant funds because the program, although beneficial, is run by a city commission with a $60,000 fund balance. "The idea is to give it to the have-nots and not the haves," Najarian said.

Glendale Memorial Hospital awarded $118,263 to nine local nonprofits on Thursday. The recipients of this year's grants were the Armenian Relief Society, Ascencia, Glendale's Commission on the Status of Women, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, the Glendale Assn. for the Retarded, the Glendale Community Free Health Clinic, Glendale Healthy Kids, the Glendale Salvation Army and the YWCA of Glendale. The money, awarded through the hospital's Community Grants Program, is provided by Glendale Memorial's parent company, Dignity Health.

"Gifts of the Heart" was the theme of Glendale Soroptimists' Grant Presentation Luncheon. The Glendale Hilton in its holiday splendor was the setting for over 100 members and guests welcomed by President Gayle Craig on Thursday (Dec. 20). At each table setting was a small rounded plastic heart tied with a red bow. Service Grants Committee member Janet Hamilton said the hearts represent "how much we appreciate your [charity] organization and how much we want you to succeed. " Fourteen organizations succeeded in snagging cash awards to the tune of $16,775 in total grants given by the generous Soroptimist ladies.

The entrance of 60 Armenian Relief Society honorees clad in tricolor ribbons into the Glendale Hilton Hotel's Grand Ballroom inspired a standing ovation by the more than 500 guests attending the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA's Gala 2012 on April 27. Honorees were selected by their respective chapters in the society's Western USA region to be recognized for their excellence in service in categories including longtime member, financially supportive...

During the annual Armenian cultural and food festival on Sunday, Osanna Bekarian, 77, and Arsine Aposhian, 72, were making what so many Armenian s have grown up with: hand-braided string cheese. Meanwhile, Nyree Derderian, 38, was lamenting about how similar homemade dishes are less often made at home by younger generations who have grown accustomed to purchasing them at the store. “It takes so much time,” she said. “It's easier to get it at the store.” Bekarian and Aposhian - both La Crescenta residents - are members of the Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A., which hosts the festival as a fundraiser for its local and international charities.

The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA hosted a Christmas luncheon at the Glendale Salvation Army on Dec. 23. Nearly 200 people enjoyed the holiday meal provided by more than 20 ARS members. In Los Angeles and Orange counties, ARS chapters also participated in food drives with local organizations. In early December, the Armenian Relief Society also donated 304 pairs of pajamas to the City of Hope in Duarte to benefit the hospital's 13th annual Pajama Party. The Pajama Party is spearheaded by the Desi Geestman Foundation and serves pediatric cancer patients.

What made the Crescenta Valley Chamber monthly mixer a little out of the ordinary this week was its host — the Armenian Relief Society, which is often thought of as more concerned with community outreach and humanitarian issues than business. Relief society members networked with area business owners as it played host to some 75 chamber members and their guests at the Crescenta Valley Armenian Community Center in Montrose on Wednesday. Relief Society Chairwoman Aline Habeshian was honored with a certificate of appreciation from two chamber heavy hitters.

GLENDALE — An Armenian-American coalition wrapped up its 20th anniversary this past year with its 154th charitable airlift to Armenia via chartered jetliner that delivered $4.5 million worth of medicine, medical supplies and humanitarian aid. The United Armenian Fund is a coalition of charities that works to send warm clothes, medical equipment and other items requested by residents in Armenia. “If it’s needed, we send it,” said Harut Sassounian, president and founder of the Glendale-based organization.

Leave your thoughts and rememberances on our blog: Memories of Those Lost. If you need help getting information about the crash of Caspian Airlines Flight 7908, call the Armenian Council of America on (818) 502-6580. GLENDALE — Local families Wednesday were left grappling with the news that loved ones were among the 168 people killed earlier in the day on an Armenia-bound airplane that crashed in Iran. The flight was bound for the Armenian capital, Yerevan, but crashed into an Iranian field about 20 minutes after leaving Tehran.