While subsequent meetings would officially approve by-laws, membership dues, committees and meeting dates, it was on March 31, 1974 that the first General Meeting was held at Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral, which approved the name of American Arabic Benevolent Association [AABA] and elected, as its first President, Dr. Jerold Owen.

Since the beginning, there have been many Presidents of AABA, some individuals serving more than one term, but all charged with the responsibility of leading a group of volunteers to carry out the wishes of the American-Arabic community in compliance with AABA’s constitution, charter and by-laws.

AABA’s Board of Directors is made up of twenty-four (24) Active voting members [12 elected each year for a 2-year term], as well as retired active members who served on the Board for at least ten and have been elected as Director Emeritus.  Throughout the years, Board members have come from one of our eight (8) supporting sister churches:  Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral in West Roxbury, Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon in Jamaica Plain, Saint John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Dedham, Saint George Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, Saint Matthew’s Syriac Orthodox Church in West Roxbury, Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church in Cambridge, Saint George Orthodox Church in Norwood and Saint Stephen’s United Methodist Church in West Roxbury.  In addition, we have representation from our supporting sister organizations:  Nicholas G. Beram Veterans Association, Syrian-Lebanese Women’s Club, Nicholas G. Beram Ladies Auxiliary, and the Lebanese-Syrian Ladies Aid Society.

AABA’s focus since 1974 is the same today and is engrained in our statement of purpose, which has never changed…to promote charitable, educational, civic, cultural and benevolent endeavors including assistance and support of needy and impoverished people;  establish, assist and support homes for the aged,  and charitable institutions with emphasis on providing such assistance and support to the needy, elderly, and otherwise deprived who are of Arabic descent but without discrimination as to race, nationality, color or creed and to do any and all other things necessary or desirable to carry out such purposes.

The diversity of the AABA Board of Directors has allowed us to create an environment where the well-being of the community is equal to the neediest individual; where those to whom we provide services mean more than the services we provide; and, where the spirit, heart & love of what we do is outweighed by the spirit, heart & love of those we serve.

Through the years, AABA, through to its dedicated Board of Directors, has continually increased assistance to the community.  The land on which AABA Village sits, was donated by Theodore P. and George S. Saegh. Then, Cheriton Grove Apartments was constructed in 1985, with occupancy by our seniors in 1987.  Our second senior residence, The James M. Salah Family Housing at Cheriton Heights was completed in 2013 with occupancy beginning in 2014.  AABA has continued its commitment to the community and today AABA Village, comprised of Cheriton Grove and Cheriton Heights, is one of the best operating housing complexes in the City of Boston.