The Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) is celebrating a significant milestone this year—its 100th anniversary of serving the Armenian community.
On Sat., Sept. 12, the AWWA is celebrating its 100 years by holding a gala at the Boston Public Library.
Begun by a small group of Armenian-American women and initially called the Armenian Patriotic Society, it was established in 1915 to aid Armenian orphans through the Near East Relief. By 1930, the Great Depression demanded that the organization focus its efforts locally. Renamed and incorporated as the Armenian Women’s Welfare Association, these volunteer women provided fuel, clothing, and other necessities to the Armenian community.
Eventually, members of the organization decided to establish a home for the aged; by 1948, they had founded the Home for the Aged in Jamaica Plain, Mass. In 1960, the Armenian Nursing Home, a full care nursing facility, was built on the same site. Eventually, rehabilitative services were included and in 1996 the facility was renamed the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
In 2004, the AWWA began a pilot program to provide medical care for the elderly in Nagorno-Karabagh and Armenia. The Hanganak Clinic NGO is now nearly 11 years old and offers hands-on medical assistance to 200 needy elderly, along with monthly provisions and weekly socials. Nurses and social workers visit some of the elderly in their homes if they are unable to come to the clinic.
On Sat., Sept. 12, the AWWA is celebrating its 100 years by holding a gala at the Boston Public Library. Special guests Eric Bogosian, actor, playwright, and novelist, and Peter J. Koutoujian, sheriff of Middlesex County, will act as masters of ceremony. The evening will include a reception, open bar, and entertainment. The AWWA will highlight the accomplishments of the last 100 years and look towards our next 100 years of service.
Tickets are limited. To join, contact Karen Hovsepian by calling (617) 898-8619 or e-mailing khovsepian@gmail.com. Donations may be made to the AWWA, Inc. and sent to 435 Pond St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. The Armenian Women’s Welfare Association is a 501(c)(3) organization.
The post AWWA to Hold 100th Anniversary Gala in Boston appeared first on Armenian Weekly.
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: AWWA to Hold 100th Anniversary Gala in Boston