ARS Voice Summer 2026: It’s a Wrap
As the Armenian Relief Society Western USA concludes its fiscal year and prepares for its 100th regional convention, here’s a look at what an organization – with 24 chapters, including our new Amaras chapter, and 1,100 volunteer members dedicated to offering education, social and family services, culture and humanitarian aid to those in need – can do as we serve communities in California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas.
Our Backbone: Armenian Schools
This one really made our hearts sing: After the Eaton Fire in Altadena destroyed the Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School in January 2025, the ARS of Western USA (ARS WUSA) jumped in and donated $25,000 to help rebuild the campus. And when Ari G. Minassian Armenian School in Santa Ana needed help with their expansion plan, local ARS chapters rose to the request with $65,000.
ARS WUSA chapters prioritize their continuous financial support of Armenian Schools and educational/day care centers that were bequeathed in the name of the ARS, such as the Holy Martyrs ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian Preschool, ARS Postoyan School in Hollywood and ARS Nairy Preschool & Day Care Center in Montebello.
Our Passion: Saturday Schools
492 Armenian children attended the ARS’ 10 one day schools this past school year, and in Montebello. And kudos to the Erepouni Chapter “Friday School” in Pleasant Hill, California, which is operated entirely by volunteer principal and staff, with parental help.
Our Purpose: Education
The newly established Hrayr Soghomonian Educational Endowment Fund for outstanding high school graduates on their way to college had its first presentation. On June 3, four high school graduates received $2,500 scholarships along with two dozen graduates who received merit recognition certificates at the ARS WUSA High School Merit Scholarship awards night in Glendale. And in May the Western Region Executive hosted a festive teacher appreciation night.
Our Duty: Serving the Local Community
During this past year, more than 329 individuals sought help at the ARS Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center, which receives the heartfelt oversight of Dr. Ida Karayan, LMFT, PsyD, CBT. The non-profit mental health agency, located at 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd. in Glendale, California, provides free counseling and therapy for the local community.
Elderly and Our Armenian Heritage
Traditions abound: On April 24 we honored the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide by attending the commemoration at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello and placing a wreath. In June, the ARS WUSA continued a decades-long event of sponsoring an annual luncheon at the Ararat Home, above right, while this year in Fresno the Mayr and Sophia chapters hosted a coordinated event at the California Armenian Home, below.
The Power of Giving
New plaques were added to the wall of benefactors at the ARS WUSA regional headquarters was blessed on May 17 by the Armenian Prelacy.
Several hundred ARS members traveled to Mission Hills, CA to “Inspire Change: Build for Tomorrow” – the theme of the Western Region’s annual Gala on March 22, 2026 – a powerful celebration of women’s leadership and collective resilience. Proceeds went to support vital programs that uplift vulnerable individuals and strengthen Armenian families across generations, and the ARS of WUSA also gave special recognition to benefactors Mr. & Mrs. Hamlet Chraghchian, center of left photo below, and longtime dedicated ARS member Seda Khojayan, far left in left photo below.
Embracing the Digital Age
Did you know that ARS WUSA has 82 employees? They are the Saturday School and day care teachers, social services team and administrative staff which runs the ARS WUSA regional headquarters on Glenoaks Boulevard in Glendale. We are proud to report that ARS WUSA has entered the electronic era, handling payroll through Paylocity to keep pace with California’s stringent labor codes, which includes printing 9 items on pay stubs and strict pay deadlines. Some of our employees tell us they enjoy using their cell phones to complete timesheets.
Sisterhood and Brotherhood
Our ardent support of community organizations endures. Pictured above with the Honorary Presidents of this year’s Homenetmen Navasartian Games, Zeron and Sona Titizian, are ARS WUSA Regional Executive members Taline Kayayan, far left, and Haigo Barsamian, second from right. The ARS has long backed the games and festival, held over the July 4 weekend, as Navasartian has a special place in the heart of the community.
From celebrations of chapter anniversaries, Mother’s Day luncheons, our annual Run for Armenia and additional fund-raising for the Hearths of Hope program for displaced Artsakh families, to our community partnerships to distribute turkeys and gifts during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, we are proud to continue the Armenian spirit of service and ensure that it flourishes for decades to come.