About AWWA
AWWA’s Mission
Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) is a not-for-profit membership organization, which has been in existence for over 100 years.
We are dedicated to serving elders locally and internationally through the sponsorship of elder service programs.
AWWA’s Vision
AWWA believes that honoring elders is at the very foundation of great family and great community.
Drawing on the rich history, generosity of spirit and work ethic of the Armenian community, we aim to ensure the good health and well-being of all Armenian elders and others, wherever they may be.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Martha Mensoian
President
Seta Nersessian
Vice President
Lynne Janjigian Nee
Treasurer
Hannah Dagg
Director
Hilda Sahan Campbell
Director
Rebecca Garabedian
Director
Senior Leadership
Renato de Leon
Executive Director
John Mulligan
Director of Nursing
Stephanie Ciccolo
Director of Admissions
AWWA Advisory Council
- Nancy Barsamian, RN, MPH, DNP Candidate
- Lori Chobanian
- Susan Deranian
- Cindy Fitzgibbon
- Elizabeth Keenan
- Ani L. Kharajian
- Cornelia Cassidy Koutoujian
- Carolann S. Najarian, MD
- Barbara Chrakian Tellalian
- Armenie Varadian, RN
- Michael S. Varadian, JD, MBA
- Nancy Kasarjian
- JoAnn Janjigian
Our History
photo: Asdour Arzomanian (1948)
AWWA
Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) story begins in 1915 in Boston, Massachusetts. Ten immigrant Armenian women came together to form a non-profit women’s service organization that would focus on aiding and promoting the moral, intellectual, physical and social well-being of the Armenian people.
When the group was in its early infancy during WWI these “patriotic Armenian women” — this is what they named themselves in Armenian — began aiding Armenian orphans and shipping clothing and supplies overseas.
photo: Asdour Arzomanian (1948)
photo: Asdour Arzomanian (1948)
Eldercare Focus
By 1930, the Depression demanded that the organization refocus its energies locally. Having renamed and incorporated itself, in 1935, as the Armenian Women’s Welfare Association, Inc., the group provided fuel, clothing, and other necessities to the local Armenian community.
In 1948, after 14 years in pursuit of its goal, the AWWA founded the first Home for the Aged.
In 1960, the A.W.W.A. built the Armenian Nursing Home, a full-care nursing facility, on the same property. The home began providing rehabilitative care in response to the needs of the community.
A caring and comfortable place
where the elderly would be cared for.
Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (ANRC)
- In 1979, AWWA expanded the Armenian Nursing Home to its present bed compliment of 83 beds.
- In 1996, with the added programmatic focus on short-term rehabilitation, the name was changed to Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
International Programs
Hanganak Elder Clinic
- In 2004, AWWA made the decision to further expand its elder services, this time in Artsakh.
- Working with Gohar Hovhannisyan, MD, MPH and her team, the AWWA sponsors Hanganak Elder Clinic in Stepanakert, Artsakh.
- In this way, AWWA ensures medical care, food provisions, social support and heating assistance for over 300 elder women and men who are living alone in Stepanakert, Artsakh.
Second Elder Clinic
- In 2019, AWWA expanded their Elder Clinic sponsorship to a second clinic site this time in Askeran, Artsakh.
- This site advances the support to an additional 50 isolated elders with medical care, food provisions, social support, and heating assistance.