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The $42 million retirement community built upon a 68-year legacy of care and compassion continues
to serve the Central Valley families.

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA…February 8, 2021… The Board of Directors of the California Armenian Home is excited to announce that its $42 million expansion project, The Vineyards, is celebrating Its 3 year anniversary. The retirement community is the newest hospitality-inspired continuing care community to be built in the Fresno/Clovis region.

The Armenian community rallied together over six decades ago to ensure that a senior living community was available for all those in need with the construction of the California Armenian Home. That giving spirit continues today with The Vineyards, where the generous contribution of the S Barre Paul and Sue Garabedian Paul Trust serves as a foundation for the multitude of donors that continues to grow through philanthropy and volunteerism, which is
grounded in a commitment to senior care for all cultures.

The Vineyards at the California Armenian Home sits adjacent to its flagship community within the lush 40-acre grounds originally donated and built by the local Armenian community in 1952. The expansion spans over 174,000 square feet of maintenance and worry-free independent living, assisted living, and memory care accommodations, offering a continuum of senior living lifestyle and care for residents. The Santa Barbara-style architecture features spacious residences that have been designed to maximize the light and warmth of the maturely-grown, park-like setting and offer every amenity imaginable.

The luxury living community is available for seniors over the age of 60. The community features 24 resort-style independent living villas with two-car garages, 60 spacious independent living apartments, and 50 assisted living and 36 memory care apartments – all of which provide for a continuum of care with no buy-in requirement.

The expansion was beautifully designed to tie in with the existing plush gardens, open park space, fountains, large outdoor pavilion, and AACL Hall already featured as part of California Armenian Home community; a series of pathways serve to enhance the walkability of the grounds, combining existing areas with the newly designed villas and apartments. Details such as graceful curves and arches, balconies, courtyards and patios, and sheltered walkways for outdoor gatherings are prominent throughout the grounds.

In addition to outdoor amenities, residents at The Vineyards enjoy a creative arts studio, library, movie theater, beauty salon, a fully-equipped fitness center, and an internet bistro. Spacious education and activity centers will promote lifelong learning, as well as health and wellness classes. The multiple dining venues are designed to offer fresh, creative cuisine experiences prepared by a skilled culinary team. These amenities will be reopened following the second Covid 19 vaccinations later this month.

Cy Athens, Vineyards resident shared; “It’s not an easy time for anyone. My wife and I have lived here for over two years now. We see how hard the management is working on keeping us safe and happy. That’s a BIG job! We appreciate them each day. We are all in this together. As a neighborhood, a community The Vineyards family.”

The entry to the main three-story building features a magnificent centerpiece where a triple flag pole will fly the American, Californian and Armenian flags, a donation by the Poochigian and Collegian families. The distinctive interior design honors the Armenian community, which has generously guaranteed a senior living community for generations to come. Features include custom-designed floor medallions displaying the Armenian alphabet, which are artfully placed at the formal entry, a gift from Bedrosians Tile & Stone, in addition to a magnificent chandelier donated by the James Ashjian family. Also, the expansive promenade features original oil on canvas paintings created by internationally-renowned artist Nikol Aghababyans. These six pieces of artwork are now part of a worldwide collection of notable individuals and institutions that includes Valley Armenian Churches, Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks, the California Armenian Home, a Cactus Garden in Fresno, and a scene from the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge.

“We set out to design the most luxurious and innovative retirement community in the Central Valley while honoring the 68-year legacy of care and compassion of California Armenian Home,” said Lucy Kazanjian Grayson, President of the Board of Directors of the California Armenian Home. “The Vineyards exceeds all of our expectations in creating a healthy, active, social environment for the growing senior population seeking a wider range of living
options.”

In fact, individuals are living much longer, healthier lives – a contributing factor in the rapid growth of the senior population in California. According to the California Department of Aging, over

the next two decades, California’s over-65 population will nearly double and is expected to be 87 percent higher in 2030 than in 2012, an increase of more than four million people. Furthermore, the senior population in 2030 will include more single and/or childless adults than it does today, suggesting an increased number of people living alone. This particular shift is likely to have a significant impact on senior support services and residential living spaces needed. “We have anticipated the demand for senior lifestyle communities in the Central Valley with
the development of The Vineyards. This community is at the forefront of that growth and serves the full spectrum of needs for our cherished senior population,” said Paul Rocha, Executive Director for the California Armenian Home and The Vineyards.

The California Armenian Home and The Vineyards are overseen by Paul Rocha, Executive Director. Ren Ramshaw is the Director of Sales and Marketing and Bianca Resendez is the Assisted Living Manager, LVN for The Vineyards. Private and Virtual tours for residency at The Vineyards and informational sessions are available for those interested, including family members, by contacting Ren Ramshaw at (559) 835-0801 or renr@vineyardslife.org.

The California Armenian Home is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1952 by the local Armenian community, which generously donated 40-acres of land in Fresno, California’s southeast countryside, the building, and the funds to furnish a continuing care retirement community. Today, 65 years later, the renowned California Armenian Home provides both short and long-term 24-hour skilled nursing and rehabilitation residency and takes most insurance programs. To prepare for the growing senior population, the California Armenian Home Board of Directors unanimously approved the $42 million expansion project, The Vineyards in 2014. The continuing care expansion opened for residency in January 2018 and includes private pay, month-to-month rents for resort-style independent living villas and apartments assisted living and memory care apartments, plus a host of hospitality amenities, multiple dining establishments, recreation, fitness, and daily needs services.

The California Armenian Home and The Vineyards welcomes senior residents of any national origin and includes dedicated and caring professional staff and volunteers. More information about the California Armenian Home and The Vineyards can be found by visiting www.lifeatthevineyards.org and on Facebook and Instagram.