Glendale News Press, CA
Dec 15 2007

Youth center is ready to break ground

Armenian Cultural Foundation facility will provide kids with a fun,
educational after-school site.

By Ryan Vaillancourt

GLENDALE – After waiting for more than three years as the Armenian
Cultural Foundation’s planned Community Youth Center worked through
the city planning process, a fleet of community organizations and
residents backing the project will herald the center’s construction
at a ceremonial groundbreaking Sunday.

The three-story, 10,379-square-foot structure planned for 211 W.
Chestnut St. – next to St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church – will
cater to Glendale youths by providing after-school recreation and
educational programs, said Neshan Peroomian, chairman of the
foundation’s building committee.

Construction is set to begin in early January and is expected to take
about a year to complete, Peroomian said.

When its doors open, the youth center will fill what some say is a
void for kids in all of Glendale said Elen Asatryan, executive
director of the Armenian National Committee, Glendale chapter, one of
four community organizations slated to occupy office space in the
center.

`We’ve been a very big supporter of the Glendale youth center
considering the fact that it’s not only going to benefit the Armenian
community but benefit the public in general and be a great place for
the youth to go, especially with the educational classes and cultural
awareness programs they plan on offering,’ Asatryan said.

The multipurpose facility will consist of a gym, library, recreation
room, conference room, teen room and four classrooms, according to a
city staff report regarding Community Development Block Grant
proposals. And while the foundation plans to maintain a focus on
youth at the center, the facility’s rooms will be used
interchangeably for senior and family social service programs,
according to the report.

Funded by private donations and a federal Community Development Block
Grant of more than $200,000 awarded by the City Council in April, the
whole project is estimated to cost $2.5 million to $3 million,
Peroomian said.

So far, the nonprofit Armenian Cultural Foundation has raised about
$1 million, he said.

`We still have a lot of money to raise,’ he said, adding that as
construction progresses the foundation will continue to solicit
donations and possibly seek a bank loan.

The center will also house several community agencies, including the
Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Youth Federation Juniors, the
Armenian Relief Society, the Armenian General Athletic Union and
Scouts, Armenian National Committee and the Hamazkaine Cultural Assn.
– all of which will join in providing services at the center,
according to the city report.

The center is also slated to host Sunday religious and cultural
programs put on by St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, the Rev.
Vazken Atmajian said.

`The whole community is excited about this project because every day
we will have youth activities here,’ Atmajian said. `The main focus
will be especially in the afternoons, because when parents are at
work we don’t want the youth to be out on the streets.’

Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian said the youth center should also provide
a unique social opportunity for youths of different cultural
backgrounds.

`It will be a good opportunity for our youth of different backgrounds
to come together in constructive ways, whether it’s learning a sport
or a new skill, whether it’s art or English language or debating
skills, whatever they have, I think the possibilities are pretty much
unlimited for that center,’ said Najarian, who plans to participate
in the Sunday groundbreaking. `I’ll definitely be there. I’ll have my
shovel in hand.’

Sunday’s event is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at 211 W. Chestnut St.