The grand opening of Central Valley’s largest privately funded senior lifestyle community brought together esteemed clergy, political leaders, donors, staff and invited guests
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA…February 10, 2018 The Board of Directors of the California Armenian Home celebrated the completion of its $42 million senior lifestyle community, The Vineyards, on Saturday, February 10, with a formal grand opening event attended by more than 700 people including political leaders, esteemed clergy, donors, construction partners and members of the public.
The grand opening event celebrated the culmination of a vision that begun 65 years ago with ten Armenian immigrants, known as the 10 “founding fathers” of the California Armenian Home, who came to the United States in search of a better life for their families, including the many aging citizens who like them, desired a safe environment in their twilight years. Their vision was to develop a continuing care community for all seniors with the 40-acre parcel where the California Armenian Home resides today that boasts a remarkable 65-year, 5-star legacy of providing loving care for senior residents of every national origin.
The completion of The Vineyards realizes the long-term vision of its founding fathers and its magnitude would never have been possible without their foresight. In his moving keynote address, The Honorable Chuck Poochigian paid homage to the vision and hard work of each of these founding fathers: Arshag Ted Ashijian of Fresno; Haigos Bagdasarian of Fresno; Edward DeMirjian of Los Angeles; Charles Izmirian of San Mateo; George Kardashian of Los Angeles; Hagop Moradian of Fresno; Paul Paul of Fresno; Alex Pilibas of Fresno; James Kevork Taylor of Oakland; and Aram Vartanian of Fresno.
Special recognition was also given to the S Barre Paul and Sue Garabedian Paul Trust with the formal dedication of the S Barre Paul and Sue Garabedian Paul Memory Care building, an honor that Joe and Rosalie Garabedian were in attendance for. Then The Very Reverend Father Baryouyr Shernezian from the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America led the blessing of the community and the new 142,000 sq. ft. hospitality-inspired building, along with The Very Reverend Djad Ashekian from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, Central Valley and Southern California clergy.
The afternoon concluded with a culinary celebration featuring bites from Pardini’s and the The Vineyards head chef, Kirk Steitz, paired with local wines from Agajanian Vineyards, A. Nonini Winery, Cardella Winery, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Kings River Winery, Marechal Vineyards & Wine Company, Moravia Wines, Quady Winery and Westbrook Wine Farm, as well as personalized tours of The Vineyards.
“The Grand Opening celebration perfectly honored our founding fathers and their incredible vision, while commending our current Board of Directors for their astuteness in making The Vineyards a reality,” said George Juarez, Executive Director for the California Armenian Home and The Vineyards. “It was a day to truly give thanks and rejoice in what has been accomplished that enables us to further serve our senior population here in the Central Valley.”
The Vineyards at the California Armenian Home is the largest privately funded senior lifestyle community in the Central Valley and includes private pay, month-to-month rentals for 72 resort-style independent living villas and apartments, 50 assisted living and 36 memory care apartments, plus a host of hospitality amenities such as a theater, beauty salon and more, plus multiple dining establishments, recreation, fitness and daily needs services.
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 project opened for residency January 2, 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 (@thevineyardslife).
