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Sharing the Christmas Spirit, Winter Wonderland, Forums, and More

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  • Sharing the Christmas Spirit, Winter Wonderland, Forums, and More

    PRESS RELEASE
    ARS of Western USA, Inc.
    Regional Office
    517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
    Glendale, CA 91202
    Tel: 818-500-1343
    Fax: 818-242-3732
    Email: [email protected]
    Web: http://ars1910.org/
    FB: http://www.facebook.com/arswusa


    Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Regional Executive

    Happy New Year and Merry Christmas
    With My People, For My People
    The ARS of Western USA, Regional Executive extends its greeting for a
    Happy New Year and a Merry Christmas with wishes of strengthening our
    homeland, gaining international recognition for Artsakh, and further
    willpower to sustain Armenians in Javakhk and Syria. We extend our
    sincere thanks and appreciation to ARS sponsors and donors, supporters
    and local and international ARS programs, the members of our region's
    27 chapters, as well as the administration and staff of our Social
    Services and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center. May the New
    Year be filled with great prosperity for all.

    ARS Distributes Christmas Gifts to Hundreds of Children

    The ARS of Western USA's Gift Giving Event on Wednesday, December 19,
    2012 drew hundreds of children ages 3-14, who were accompanied by
    their parents to receive free Christmas gifts.

    Starting at 2 p.m. at the ARS Regional Headquarters, which was
    decorated for this festive holiday event, Santa and a children's
    entertainer greeted children with song and dance, ushering them to
    receive their gifts. The youth gleamed with joy as each who entered
    accepted a holiday gift and had the opportunity to be photographed
    with Santa.

    Parents extended their appreciation to ARS representatives for
    organizing such an event, which brought such delight to youth in the
    community.

    This successful event was made possible in large part due to toy and
    gift donations by a number of ARS chapters; students of the Ferrahian,
    Chamlian, and Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian Schools; Tufenkian
    Preschool; Homenetmen Glendale `Ararat' and Inland Empire `Araz'
    Chapters; the Armenian Society of Los Angeles; a faith-based group; as
    well as numerous individuals. The ARS Regional Executive extends its
    kindest appreciation to all those, who lent their support to make this
    event a truly memorable one.

    ARS Hosts Christmas Luncheon at Glendale Salvation Army

    On Friday, December 21, 2012, the ARS of Western U.S.A.hosted a
    Christmas Luncheon at the Glendale Salvation Army, providing a free
    holiday meal to low-income individuals, families, and the homeless.

    AllSalvation Army visitors received a warm meal, including turkey and
    trimmings, vegetables, rolls, dessert, and refreshments. Similar to
    years past, ARS members, staff, and volunteers assumed all the tasks
    for the luncheon from food preparation to service.

    This event served as yet another means by which the ARS extended its
    support to those in need in the community.

    Two Community Forums Organized by ARS and Pacific Clinics Explore
    "Depression, PTSD, Anxiety" and "Issues of Immigrants"

    On December 5, 2012, the second in a series of community forums
    attracted over 75 community members, who gathered at the Glendale
    Youth Center and received a wide breadth of information from an expert
    panel. Psychiatrist Arakel Davtian served as moderator.

    Dr. Pilavian who works for the County of Los Angeles, defined and
    explained anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder, and touched upon
    panic attacks, hyper-arousal, irritability and agitation.

    Depression was the subject presented by the second presenter, Rusanna
    Jurian. She presented the signs, causes and types of
    depression. Jurian explained the differences on how men and women deal
    with depression, in addition to those of children's experiences.One
    statistic that Jurian shared with the audience was that the U.S. was
    the top country with depression, while Armenia was ranked 25.

    The final speaker was Dr. Sarkis Arevian, who continues to practice
    psychiatry. He continued the discussion on depression, bringing into
    focus the serious illness, the reactions of Armenians due to cultural
    influences, depression of the elderly, the difference between less
    severe and severe depression, the role of therapy sessions and
    medications, and the biggest problem of all: accepting that they have
    a problem.

    `Issues of Immigrants' drew attention to how immigrants can retain
    their identity while acculturating to a new society. More than 50
    people attended the panel on December 12, 2012 at the Glendale Youth
    Center.

    Dr. Levon Jernazian offered a psychological perspective on the
    topic. He outlined individual factors that play a role in whether or
    not a person would adjust well to a new environment. Moreover, he
    explained various experiences that one may encounter as a result of
    immigrating, such as adjustment problems, post-traumatic stress
    disorder, and generational conflicts.

    Jernazian said the issues that immigrants face between three and five
    years of immigrating differ from their experiences five years after
    arrival. After five years, an immigrant individual or family usually
    `selects one of three alternatives in terms of adjustment, as follows:
    1) Absolute rigidity; 2) Complete assimilation; or 3) Preserving their
    cultural core while at the same time adopting the main values of the
    host culture.' Dr. Jernazian stressed that the third alternative
    represents the healthiest one psychologically.

    Ardashes Kassakhian mainly drew on subjective experiences to present
    on this topic. He explained that acculturation and adaptation are not
    issues unique only to Armenians. Kassakhian went on to pose a
    rhetorical question of `What would an Armenian community such as
    Glendale look like after 50 years' and cited Watertown, MA and Fresno,
    CA as models to look at.Kassakhian said more programs that allow
    people to acculturate more easily are needed.

    Special Thanks to the Bertha & John Garabetian Charitable Foundation
    for their $1,000 Donation to the Trchnots Pouyn (Birds' Nest)
    Orphanage in Jbail, Lebanon

    Come and Enjoy Winter Wonderland 2013: Featuring Snow, Rides and
    Games, Arcade Center, Magician, International Dance Festival and Great Food!
    Friday, Jan. 18: 4 pm-10 pm; Saturday, Jan. 19: 11 am-10 pm; Sunday,
    Jan. 20: 2 pm-8 pm
    St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church, 500 S. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91204
    1-Day Pass: $3; 2-Day Pass: $5; 3-Day Pass: $6; Snow and Ride Tickets Sold Separately

    5th Anniversary of ARS Youth Center in Akhalkalak
    The ARS Youth Center in Akhalkalak (Javakhk) held a celebration of the
    5th anniversary on December 22, 2012. The children performed dances
    and recitations in Armenian, Georgian and English languages.

    The ARS-WUSA funded the center building and continues to fund
    operational expenses of the center.

    ARS Hollywood "Mayr" Chapter to Offer 8-Week Beginner Computer Classes
    Every Wednesday Starting January 9, 2013; 6-8 p.m., Hollywood Armenian
    Youth Center, 1559 Kenmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA; To Register, Contact
    Mayda 818-825-0849

    Down Hill "I love to come on sights like these: crystal leaves on
    silver trees. Unless they come between my skis." ~Diana
    Der-Hovanessian

    Upcoming Regional Events
    January 18-20, 2013: Winter Wonderland, St. Mary's Church, Glendale
    March 16, 2013: LA 5K Run/Walk, Dodger Stadium
    March 17, 2013: LA Marathon, ARS is an official charity, Dodger
    Stadium to Santa Monica
    April 5, 2013: ARS Gala, Glendale Hilton Hotel
    April 7, 2013: ARS Day, HomenetmenArarat Glendale Center
    May 4-5, 2013: ARS 12thAnnual Festival, Glendale Civic Auditorium

    Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arswusa

    Send your comments to: [email protected]

    Donate to ARS Programs by credit card or PayPal
    http://www.arswestusa.org/donate
    Or mail your check to: ARS of Western USA, 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.,
    Glendale, CA 91202-2812

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