CHATSWORTH MAN HONORED RECENT RETIREE STILL A SUPPORTER OF LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

Byline: MARK KELLAM Valley News Writer

At a time when many property owners did not want to rent to mental health clinics or homeless day-treatment facilities, George Titizian agreed to let a local mental health organization provide programs and even live-in facilities in the building where his business was located. That was in 1996. For the past 10 years, Titizian has supported the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Clinic by not only r ning other facilities the clinic operates. Titizian was among those honored at the Moving Lives Forward Gala, sponsored by the clinic Sunday <NO1>on<NO><NO1>April 23<NO> at th Titizian immigrated to Canada in 1962 with his parents, two brothers and sister by way of Lebanon and Syria, the country of his birt The family arrived with little money and little knowledge of English. In 1965, Titizian started a flooring business with his family in Canada and three years later married his wife, Arlene. By the 1970s, his company had diversified into manufacturing flooring, home improvement products and construction. Titizian, his wife and their three children moved to Northridge in 1983 and his family began a flooring business in the Valley. In 1996, Titizian agreed to let the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center locate a fledgling program called Cornerstone e when other landlords were reluctant to rent to such a program, according to clinic officials. Titizian, 63, now a Chatsworth resident, said the decision was easy. ``I've been through hard times in my lifetime and helping someone else (who's going through a rough period), I said, `why not?''' he said. Titizian, who is of Armenian descent, explained that he and his family were homeless for a time when he was younger because of political persecution. Titizian has been instrumental in helping more than 100 Armenian families emigrate from Lebanon to Canada and a better life. He said he likes that the center helps people who are struggling with homelessness and mental illness get back on their feet. The center's Cornerstone program has grown dramatically since it opened on Oxnard Street. ``They got so big, they took over the whole building,'' he said, chuckling. ``I had to move out.'' He continues to rent space to the center at the site. Titizian has also built or refurbished 10 Van Nuys residences for the center where people can live while they're getting their lives back in order. He also purchased a 40-room hotel recently and is refurbishing it for residential use by the center. Titizian retired from the flooring business last year, but continues doing construction work. He said he's thrilled to be honored by the center. ``These people really take care of the homeless and people with mental illnesses,'' Titizian said. ``I'm thrilled to be part of that.''

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