Jack Youredjian’s Transformative Philanthropy

A Humble Beginning, A Profound Impact

Jack’s journey to philanthropy is rooted in humble beginnings. He was born in Jerusalem and raised in a home infused with the spirit of giving. When his family eventually made its way to California, his father earned $4 an hour and still managed to save a portion of his salary each and every month to support individuals facing homelessness and to give to the Ararat Home, an assisted living facility for elderly Armenian Americans. In the wake of the horrific 1988 Spitak earthquake, Jack witnessed his mother, Marguerite, embark on numerous visits to Gyumri, focusing her efforts on serving children and families in the affected areas.

Marguerite and Hovaness, who saw a need and rolled up their sleeves no matter how little they had, laid the foundation for Jack’s transformative philanthropy.

Finding Purpose and Privilege Through Investing in Education and Community Development

Love in Action is the guiding principle Jack Youredjian draws on in his service to others. His generosity and commitment to the poorest areas of Armenia have already changed thousands of lives and will continue to effect positive change in the years to come. The lessons in giving learned from his own mom and dad are now being passed on to a generation of

children and families across rural Armenia as Jack creates a living legacy through education and community development with COAF.

In it for the Long Haul

Jack and his family have been dear friends and supporters of COAF for over 7 years now, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their backing of COAF’s mission of empowering children and youth across rural Armenia. Jack’s support has been particularly critical in major initiatives including Child and Family Centers in Armenia and Artsakh, the Regional Health Center in Dsegh, and of course, the Youredjian Family Scholarship Fund that propels COAF alumni to higher education, internships, and career development. The impact of his philanthropy will be felt for generations in the communities he has helped to transform.

The Impact of One Opportunity

Jack is no stranger to how one opportunity can change a young person’s whole trajectory.

It was a scholarship from the Gulbenkian Foundation that paved his own path to higher education—Jack diligently completed a degree from the American University of Beirut, then went on to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California (USC). This road ultimately led to a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.

After rising up the corporate ladder, Jack made the courageous decision of leaving his stable job at a time when his young family had no other guaranteed income. Jack’s risk paid off. He opened his first pharmacy in 1977, and although the road to entrepreneurship was not easy, his bold choice soon turned into a chain of pharmacies. In 1980, he started Western Drug Medical Supply, which over the years has grown into a leader in the medical supply field with eight divisions across California.

His upbringing instilled in him the belief that opportunity, once extended, has the power to transform lives—a belief that drives his philanthropic endeavors to this day.

In 2019, Jack and his wife Zarig established the Youredjian Family Scholarship Fund, recognizing the urgent need to provide rural youth in Armenia with access to higher education. Their foresight underscored a commitment to creating lasting change and led to their recognition as the recipients of the Humanitarian Award at COAF’s annual Gala in 2019.

Most recently, Jack and team COAF celebrated the groundbreaking of a new Child and Family Center in Armavir province. Jack has further solidified his commitment by pledging a substantial contribution in 2024 to establish an endowment for the Youredjian Family Scholarship Fund, ensuring its perpetuity and impact for generations of underprivileged students from rural communities.

A Lasting Legacy

For Jack, “philanthropy is not just a responsibility, but a privilege” – a chance to leave a lasting legacy of positive change in the world. He gives generously not just via financial contributions, but also of his time and energy to visit Armenia on nearly a monthly basis to help advise COAF’s team and engage with scholarship holders.

Jack’s mother, Marguerite, with her kind eyes and her radiant smile, used a phrase that continues to resonate. “Love in Action,” she called her service to others. She brought hope and healing to countless children and families in dire circumstances, and she dreamed that one day, “thousands of people would know of Love in Action.”

Today, Jack has transformed his mother’s words into reality. Through his generosity, he has carried the legacy of Love in Action forward exponentially, touching the lives of thousands across Armenia. At COAF’s SMART Center in Lori and the upcoming sites of the Youredjian Child & Family Centers, these words stand as a testament to the legacy of the Youredjian family where love is not just a word, but a guiding principle.

What Jack learned from his mom and dad, he imparts on his own children, “The importance of paying it forward has been instilled in our family and will be passed on to future generations,” says his son Haig. “There is no greater impact than contributing to and improving the well-being of others.”

These lessons are being absorbed not only by his children, but by all the kids from rural communities who benefit from Jack Youredjian’s incredible commitment. Just imagine what those children will do when it’s their turn to put Love in Action.