California Endowment Grant To The Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial

GLENDALE, Calif., May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a unique recognition of the enduring emotional effects that can remain in a population years after trauma and tragedy, the California Endowment has made a $10,000 grant to help promote spiritual health and well-being in the Armenian Community of Pasadena, California. 

The Community Foundation of the Verdugos (CFV) announced the California Endowment's gift toward the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Fund to be used toward general support to facilitate the construction and maintenance of the memorial commemorating the centennial anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in a public green space providing physical activity and promoting spiritual health and well-being for residents in Pasadena.  The grant matches the $10,000 funding already committed by the CFV to support this project.  An additional $5,000 has been provided by the Pasadena Community Foundation. Individual donations combined thus far with Foundation support has raised over $35,000 for the memorial slated for groundbreaking in 2014.

Robert K. Ross, M.D., president and chief executive officer for The California Endowment, stated, "We are a statewide, private health foundation, and we recognize the extent of mental and emotional trauma experienced by our friends in the Armenian community as a result of the genocide.  In our experience, memorial projects of this type have a healing and wellness benefit for those directly and indirectly impacted by such tragedy: "never forget."

Chairman of the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee (PASAGMC), and former Mayor of Pasadena, William Paparian supported this view, stating that the importance of this memorial now cannot be overstated.  "Every morning I take a moment to ask myself, 'are my grand parents pleased with PASAGMC, have we done right by them?' I am not the only one who thinks this, but I am continuing to do right by them, so will the rest of the citizens in Pasadena, from all backgrounds."

"The Community Foundation of the Verdugos and its Board of Directors are humbled and proud to be able to facilitate this historical project which acknowledges the most devastating event in the history of the Armenian people. Large populations of Armenian Americans and recent Armenian immigrants reside in the tri-City area of Pasadena, Glendale, and Burbank," said CEO Edna Karinski.

The CFV, established in 1956, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that links donors with nonprofit causes and needs in the Verdugo and tri-City regions.  With approximately 90 funds totaling over $9.5 million under its direction, the CFV also provides grant funding to nonprofits.  The CFV is certified with the National Council on Foundations' "National Standards" seal which assures donors and nonprofits of good practices.

All donations raised for the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Fund will be used solely for the capital expenditures (hard and soft costs) associated with the construction of the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial and subsequent maintenance.

The Armenian Genocide Memorial is scheduled for completion in the City of Pasadena by the centennial anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April of 2015.  For more information, or to make a donation, visit http://www.PASAGMC.org

Contact: Edna Karinski (818) 241-8040

SOURCE The Community Foundation of the Verdugos