The Armenian Relief Society was established in 1910 in New York City by Edgar Agnouni to provide educational and humanitarian assistance to Armenians throughout the world. The projects of the ARS Eastern United States include building, operating and subsidizing Armenian schools and day care centers, sponsoring orphans in Armenia and Artsakh, operating Armenian one-day schools, providing university and college scholarships, funding the development of Armenian educational curricula and resource materials & funding and supporting Armenian youth camps. After World War I and II, the A.R.S. played an important role in receiving and resettling thousands of Armenians deported from their homes. Today, the A.R.S., Inc. has regions and chapters-at-large all over the world with over 18,000 members worldwide. of Eastern United States is one of its many regions. Some of the objectives of the Armenian Relief Society are:
- To encourage high ethical standards and foster the spirit of good fellowship among ARS members and Chapters and among other national or regional organizations with the same purpose and objectives.
- To aid in the social, educational, health and welfare efforts of the Armenian people.
- To promote the teaching of the Armenian language and culture.
- To establish and help finance Armenian schools.
- To give financial aid to deserving students in Armenian educational institutions.
-To give financial aid to deserving undergraduate and graduate
college and university students particularly to those studying
Armenology and social service.
- To promote and perpetuate Armenian culture.
- To encourage its members to participate individually or collectively in local organizations engaged in community activities and social services, compatible with the principles of the ARS.
-To cooperate with organizations with similar objectives.
