The Persian Relief Center

A Legacy of Service to the Persian Community

The Persian Relief Center was a California nonprofit organization founded by journalist and publisher Shahbod Noori with a simple but meaningful mission: to help members of the Persian-speaking community during times of hardship.

For nearly seven years, the organization served hundreds of individuals and families throughout Southern California by providing guidance, support, and access to essential community resources. Although the organization is no longer active, its legacy remains an important chapter in the history of community service within the Iranian-American community.

Our Mission

The Persian Relief Center was established to:

  • Assist low-income and unemployed individuals and families
  • Support people experiencing homelessness or financial hardship
  • Help families locate affordable housing and community resources
  • Provide employment assistance and referrals
  • Advocate for women’s rights and family well-being
  • Assist with immigration information and community referrals
  • Support individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction
  • Provide basic communication and community support services
  • Promote Persian culture and strengthen community awareness among younger generations

A Personal Commitment

The Persian Relief Center was never created as a fundraising organization. It was built from a personal commitment to help members of the Persian-speaking community when they had nowhere else to turn.

During its years of operation, the organization assisted hundreds of people, including newly arrived immigrants, unemployed individuals, single parents, senior citizens, and families facing unexpected financial crises.

Despite continuous efforts, the organization was unable to secure long-term government grants or sufficient charitable donations to sustain its growing programs.

Rather than allowing the organization to stop serving the community, founder Shahbod Noori personally financed much of its operation, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own personal resources over several years.

The financial burden eventually became overwhelming. In order to continue helping others and meet the organization’s obligations, Shahbod Noori ultimately sold his own three-bedroom family home after dedicating substantial personal resources to the mission.

Although The Persian Relief Center eventually closed its doors, its purpose was fulfilled through the lives it touched and the assistance it provided to hundreds of members of the Persian-speaking community.

Lasting Impact

The Persian Relief Center demonstrated that meaningful community service does not always begin with large budgets or government funding. Sometimes it begins with one person willing to help others.

While the organization no longer operates, its values of compassion, dignity, and community responsibility continue through Shahbod Noori’s ongoing work as the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of Tehran Weekly Magazine, where public service, education, and community advocacy remain central to the publication’s mission.

Founding Board of Directors

Shahbod Noori

Founder & Executive Director

Founder of The Persian Relief Center and Publisher of Tehran Weekly Magazine. Shahbod Noori established the organization to provide practical assistance and hope to Persian-speaking families facing financial, social, and personal hardships throughout Southern California.

Mastaneh Ekhtebar

Secretary / Executive Director

Registered Nurse, Realtor, and longtime community volunteer who played an important role in supporting the organization’s daily operations and community outreach programs.

Saman Dameshghi

Chief Financial Officer

Graphic designer and longtime member of Tehran Magazine who helped oversee financial administration while supporting the organization’s charitable activities.

Founding Board Members

Hoda Kord

Writer • Poet • Television Host

Acclaimed journalist, author, poet, and television personality whose decades of experience in Persian media and literature brought valuable cultural leadership to the organization.

Manzar Kalaleh

Social Worker • Legal Assistant

A respected social worker and legal assistant who dedicated many years to assisting Persian-speaking families with immigration, legal, and social service needs.

Dr. Mehrdad Alborz

Attorney at Law

California attorney who volunteered his legal expertise and participated in educational workshops benefiting the Persian-speaking community.

Leila Forouhar

Singer • Actress • Human Rights Supporter

Internationally recognized Persian artist whose lifelong commitment to humanitarian causes made her an important supporter of the Center’s mission.

Fariba Forouhar

Producer • Community Supporter

Producer and entertainment professional who actively supported the Center’s charitable programs and community outreach.

Dr. Fatima Lahouty

Mediator • Attorney • Community Leader

Founder of Mediation Associates and an experienced mediator whose professional expertise strengthened the organization’s commitment to conflict resolution and family support.

Legacy

Although The Persian Relief Center has completed its mission and is no longer active, its story remains an important part of Shahbod Noori’s lifelong commitment to journalism, public service, and the Persian-speaking community.

The organization will always be remembered not for the size of its budget, but for the lives it touched and the hope it offered to those who needed it most.

The Persian Relief Center (2008–2015)