Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock

Our roots reach into the early twentieth century, when Assyrian families began settling in Turlock and the surrounding Central Valley. They brought their language, traditions, and hopes for their children, establishing a community that would become an enduring part of the region. As that community grew, so did the importance of having a shared place where families could maintain cultural ties and help the next generation understand its heritage. The club became a lasting expression of that purpose.

Among the people who helped establish the club were Joash Paul, Jessie Yohannan, and Joe K. Yonan. A congressional tribute commemorating our fiftieth anniversary in 1996 recognized them alongside their fellow founders for their dedication and foresight. Their work helped create an organization that would serve both the Assyrian community and its neighbors throughout Stanislaus County. Remembering these founders also means recognizing the collective effort behind the club: people coming together to build something that could serve families beyond their own generation.

Following its establishment in 1946, the club adopted its original constitution and bylaws in 1947. Its organization continued to develop over the decades. The Ladies Auxiliary was established in 1963, affiliation with the Assyrian American National Federation followed in 1964, and the Youth Group was established in 1977. These milestones reflect the growing scope of the club and its connections across generations and beyond Turlock.

A significant chapter in our physical history began on August 23, 1979, when the club purchased the building at 2618 North Golden State Boulevard. The move to that location took place in August 1980. In 1996, the club also purchased the neighboring property at 2700 North Golden State Boulevard. These dates trace the development of the place that so many people now associate with the club and its gatherings.

Cultural life has long been central to our story. Historical accounts describe the club’s participation in Assyrian New Year celebrations and Martyrs Day commemorations, bringing people together both to celebrate and to remember. They also document the Nabouram Assyrian National Choir and Orchestra and its role in sharing Assyrian music through performances around the country. Together, these activities show the many ways a community can carry its history forward: through music, shared observances, and time spent together.

Education is another important part of that legacy. On March 13, 2002, the club established the Assyrian American Civic Club Educational Foundation, giving a formal home to its commitment to educational opportunity. A congressional recognition in 2017 highlighted the foundation’s scholarships for high school and university students, along with radio and television programming that helped inform the community and sustain cultural connections. Supporting young people connects our respect for the past with a practical investment in the future.

Our history also includes service beyond the club itself. The 1996 congressional tribute recognized financial assistance to community projects, churches, and charitable organizations, alongside student scholarships and cultural programming. That record reflects a broad understanding of community responsibility—one that includes helping neighbors and contributing to the well-being of the surrounding area.

The club’s place in Turlock has been recognized at both the local and national levels. In 2011, a congressional tribute marked its sixty-fifth anniversary alongside the centennial celebration of Assyrian settlement in Turlock. In January 2017, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors honored the club’s seventieth anniversary, recognizing its educational contributions, cultural programming, and role as a gathering place. These acknowledgments place our own history within the wider history of the region.

As we mark our eightieth anniversary year, we look back with gratitude and forward with a sense of responsibility. Our story invites each generation to consider what it will preserve, what it will contribute, and what it will pass on. We honor those who established the club by continuing to value the things that brought them together: cultural pride, education, friendship, and service.

We welcome everyone who wishes to share in that story—longtime members, young families, friends, and neighbors. Together, we can carry the spirit of this community into its next chapter.

Rooted in our heritage. Connected through community. Looking toward the future.