Published
Congratulations to all the recipient organizations of the 2023-2024 cycle of Keiro’s Grants Program! Keiro looks forward to working with all 36 organizations to enhance the quality of life among older adults and caregivers in Our Community!
(Recipients listed in alphabetical order)
Asian American Community Media Project (AACoMP) has a mission to document and celebrate Asian Americans and their contributions to the United States through documentary and film.
- Funding from Keiro will support AACoMP’s efforts to record and create oral histories by capturing and digitizing stories through their Japanese American Vietnam Era Archives project. This funding will build connections between veterans while recording and archiving these untold stories.
Centenary United Methodist Church has over 100 years of history serving the local Japanese American and Japanese community of Los Angeles. Their focus is on enriching lives to have their members empowered to impact the world.
- Funding from Keiro will support Centenary United Methodist Church’s capital improvement effort to enhance their sanctuary with a working air conditioning and heating system to allow for a more comfortable environment for community members to gather for services.
Cerritos Baptist Church (CBC) is home to a congregation of many Japanese American older adults and caregivers. CBC provides fellowship and activities to its older adult and caregiver members.
- Funding from Keiro will support CBC’s efforts to keep its older adult and caregiver members connected through quarterly fellowship gatherings, porch visits for those in need, a new senior exercise program, and field trips to bring older adults and caregivers together.
Continuing Education for the Nikkei Widowed, Inc. (CENW) was established to provide support to Japanese American and Japanese older adults who have lost their spouses. The group, of which 95% are over the age of 80, meets monthly to provide educational opportunities and support to its members.
- Funding from Keiro will support CENW’s ability to keep its widow/widower members connected through a monthly newsletter, monthly educational meetings, and meal gatherings to promote socialization with each other and involvement within their community.
East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) has provided programs and services that promote the Japanese American culture and heritage since 1961. ESGVJCC’s Senior Wellness Program offers engaging social activities, exercise programs, and educational seminars for its older adult members both in-person and virtually.
- Funding from Keiro will support supply costs to improve the Senior Wellness Program’s technology to keep members connected as a way to improve their quality of life.
Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles (EBCLA) is a multi-generational, predominantly Asian American faith community that was founded in 1925 to reach and gather Japanese-speaking immigrants in Los Angeles.
- Funding from Keiro will support activities for EBCLA’s Prime Timers group and their 70+ year old group through engaging activities including educational sessions, storytelling and archiving, and field trips to keep the group active, engaged, and making new connections.
Faith United Methodist Church has been in the community for over 60 years and is home to different groups that support older adults and caregivers in the community.
- Funding from Keiro will support Faith United Methodist Church’s ability to provide a monthly meal delivery program to homebound seniors as well as an additional monthly congregate meal program that gathers older adults and caregivers.
First Presbyterian Church Altadena (FPC Altadena) was established over 100 years ago and serves a congregation of primarily Japanese American older adults.
- Funding from Keiro will support FPC Altadena’s various socially, mentally, and physically engaging programs and core operations to keep older adult members engaged in wellness programs ranging from arts/crafts, exercise, and technology assistance that drives a sense of purpose and autonomy for its members.
Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) has served the Japanese American and Japanese community living in the South Bay for over 50 years through educational, social, and cultural programs for all ages. They offer a variety of programs for older adults throughout the week and have returned to in-person programs.
- Funding from Keiro will support GVJCI’s Tomo no Kai classes and workshops that serve Japanese American and Japanese-speaking individuals in Gardena. These classes offer an ability to connect with others, and funding will support the various costs to help put these classes and workshops on for this community.
Japanese American Christian Church Federation of Southern California (JCCFSC) unites the various churches and ministries that provide Japanese-language programs in Southern California. For the past 45 years, JCCFSC has conducted monthly reihai services in Japanese for the residents of assisted living communities in the Los Angeles area.
- Funding from Keiro will support JCCFSC’s ability to connect and provide spiritual support and guidance through services for Japanese-speaking older adults living in facilities that would otherwise not have access to this fellowship and engagement.
Leisure Club at ESGVJCC is an organization that serves as an outlet for older adults to enjoy their twilight years through social interactions and connections while promoting healthy aging.
- Funding from Keiro will support Leisure Club’s meal program to allow participating members to enjoy a meal as they stay engaged in activities including exercise, art, and mental stimulation.
Little Tokyo Nutrition Services (LTNS) has provided daily hot Japanese lunches and referral services to older adults living in Little Tokyo and homebound individuals within the surrounding area for over 40 years. Currently, LTNS delivers lunches to homebound older adults five days per week.
- Funding from Keiro will support LTNS’s ability to provide residents in and around Little Tokyo with meals and social engagement. Keiro will support general operating costs to allow for this service to continue delivering meals to and to perform wellness checks and social interactions.
Long Beach Buddhist Church (LBBC) is dedicated to sharing the teachings of the Buddha and serving as a positive presence in their local community. They strive to honor and continue the traditions of their founding members as they aim to provide services and activities to ensure that Buddhism remains a way of life.
- Funding from Keiro will support LBBC’s outreach project, which includes meals, delivering care packages, and a monthly newsletter to keep both English and Japanese-speaking members engaged and connected while benefiting their quality of life.
Long Beach Japanese Cultural Center (LBJCC) has focused on improving the quality of life for older adults in the local Japanese American and Japanese community for over 60 years.
- Funding from Keiro will support the Long Beach Senior Meal Program to provide nutritious meals and wellness checks for their members. Twice monthly, in-person luncheons will be supported alongside a return to providing delivered meals to homebound older adults to benefit their quality of life.
Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Buddhist Women’s Association has been providing weekly religious and spiritual services for Japanese American and Japanese families since 1905.
- Funding from Keiro will help fund a weekly Tai Chi and Qigong class for older adults. Funding will support the costs of instructor fees and supply costs to allow participants to stay physically and mentally engaged in the programs, promoting an active lifestyle and commitment to continually learning.
Los Angeles Men’s Glee Club (LAMGC) has been supporting Japanese American and Japanese older adults in the community through special choral performances and concerts for the past 20 years as the only Japanese men’s chorus in Southern California.
- Funding from Keiro will support the group’s core operations and allow them to continue remaining engaged in activities that promote their wellness and staying socially active through practicing together as a group and performing for the community.
Makoto Taiko is a Pasadena-based arts organization that teaches and performs Japanese taiko drumming as a musical, physical, and spiritual practice.
- Funding from Keiro will support Makoto Taiko’s ability to teach an older adult-friendly taiko class at a residential care facility to help promote health/wellness, connections, and to provide socialization and physical activity exercises to contribute to the residents’ overall wellness.
Mission Valley Free Methodist Church (MVFMC), Nichigo is a church in San Gabriel with a focus on connecting people and providing care to those in need with the purpose of becoming a loving community.
- Funding from Keiro will support MVFMC’s Japanese-speaking Nichigo group through gatherings to keep members active, engaged, and healthy as they share meals and support with one another through various activities.
Nikkei Active Life Club (NALC USA)is a volunteer, membership based nonprofit organization in California that builds a safe and vibrant network of communities through knowledge, skill, and time.
- Funding from Keiro will support their core operating expenses to help the group return to in-person programs and activities. Core operating costs include support for insurance, transportation, and meals to allow members to reconnect and create stronger relationships in the Japanese community.
Orange County Buddhist Church (OCBC) serves families of all ages and hundreds of older adult members through various programs and events.
- Funding from Keiro will allow OCBC to continue the Tomodachi Bento Project’s twice a month support for homebound older adults with wellness checks taking place during each meal delivery.
Orange County Friendship Choir (OCFC)is a Japanese-speaking choir group founded in 2009 comprised primarily of members over the age of 65. OCFC’s mission is to participate in chorus and cultivate friendship among their diverse choir and audience members, enhancing the quality of life for elderly Japanese Americans and Japanese nationals residing in Orange County.
- Funding from Keiro will support core operating costs including subsidy assistance for membership for all older adult members and additional supply costs to help the members stay active and socially connected.
Orange County Japanese American Association (OCJAA) serves over 1,500 individuals in the Japanese-speaking community of Orange County and promotes various social services and Japanese cultural activities through virtual events, programs, and educational seminars.
- Funding from Keiro will support staffing and core operating costs to provide support for older adults to stay connected with technology, support for caregivers, and program supply costs for the Japanese community of Orange County.
Oxnard Buddhist Temple (OBT) serves over 100 older adults through Japanese culturally-sensitive services, seminars, and conferences to support its aging congregation. Since its founding in 1929, OBT has remained one of the few organizations that serves the Japanese American and Japanese community in Ventura County.
- Funding from Keiro will support programs specifically geared towards older adults and caregivers through social gatherings, trips, and activities to increase engagement opportunities and social connections between the temple’s members.
Pasadena Buddhist Temple (PBT) has served the community for over 60 years as a spiritual center for members as well as a gathering place for cultural, social, athletic, and other local community events.
- Funding from Keiro will support PBT’s efforts to keep older adults connected through meals, care packages, lunch gatherings, and social activities to allow members to safely stay engaged while promoting health and wellness.
Pasadena Nikkei Seniors (PNS) was established as a completely volunteer-run organization with the goals of enhancing the quality of life of and providing a comfortable social environment for older Japanese American and Japanese members. PNS sponsors a variety of social activities and events that promote both physical and mental wellness, bringing together a group of around 70 individuals during monthly lunches and trips that help bridge the Nisei and Sansei generations.
- Funding from Keiro will support the continuation of the lunch program and transportation costs for programs to keep the older adult and caregiver members of PNS socially connected through meals and activities that promote quality of life.
Sakura Chorus was founded in 1982 as a female choral group and has been providing concerts for the residents of the former Keiro facilities in addition to performing in the Los Angeles/South Bay area. Sakura Chorus is one of the oldest local Japanese choir groups.
- Funding from Keiro will support core operations, transportation for rehearsals, and an annual concert that will allow members to maintain their social connections.
San Fernando Valley Meiji Senior Citizens’ Club (SFVMSCC) is an organization based out of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center whose mission is to enhance the lives of seniors through Japanese cultural activities in the San Fernando Valley area.
- Funding from Keiro will support SFVMSCC’s efforts to connect members through its Meiji Ondo dance group that will promote a sense of community among members as they stay physically and socially active through practices and performances.
South Bay Singers (SBS) was established as an educational group of amateur Japanese singers that care deeply about the Japanese community and are passionate about edifying the community through music.
- Funding from Keiro will support transportation costs that will allow members to get to and from practices in preparation for a major concert, where members will be able to perform and connect with each other and the community.
Team Kotomoto is a community group whose mission is to enhance the lives of senior kotoists through workshops, lessons, and performances throughout Southern California.
- Funding from Keiro will support continued practices, recording and archiving koto lessons, and enhance the group’s ability to put on educational workshops for the community in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (VHBT) was established over 50 years ago to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. VHBT provides a number of programs to meet the needs of its aging membership.
- Funding from Keiro will support VHBT’s initiatives to serve older adults and caregivers including a monthly care package delivery program, caregiver support group, and senior outreach programs. Various technology, supply, and volunteer/speaker/instructor honoraria will also be provided to keep older adult members and caregivers actively engaged with the temple’s activities.
Venice Japanese Community Center (VJCC) was founded over 100 years ago and continues its mission to preserve, share, and promote Japanese American and Japanese culture. The center provides many activities for multiple generations and has a large population of older adult members.
- Funding from Keiro will support VJCC’s efforts to keep the local community connected and active through staffing including program coordinators, instructors, and supply costs that will allow program participants to stay involved in health and wellness educational and interactive programs.
Ventura County Japanese American Citizens League (Ventura County JACL) educates the local community about Japanese and Japanese American culture while promoting civil rights for all.
- Funding from Keiro will support core operating expenses and events to allow Ventura County JACL to enhance programs that will provide outreach and socialization opportunities to Ventura County older adults and their caregivers including health and wellness education, a book club, and social engagement.
Visual Communications (VC) is a community-based nonprofit media arts organization that provides services for the older adult community in Little Tokyo through its Digital Histories Filmmaking program. Not only does this program allow older adults a creative outlet to share their stories, but they are also able to socialize together as a cohort and feel a greater sense of community through virtual gatherings.
- Funding from Keiro will support VC’s Digital Histories Filmmaking program which has transitioned to a virtual format in response to the pandemic. This program provides opportunities for older adult participants to share their stories with the community and future generations.
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple (WLABT) is a community of people joined together to revere the teachings of Shinran Shonin. Members seek to share wisdom and compassion to work towards the realization of a society in which everyone is able to live a life of spiritual fulfillment.
- Funding from Keiro will support WLABT’s programs to keep its older members connected, which includes weekly meal delivery and care packages, providing opportunities for social engagement, wellness checks, and socialization for older adult members, most of whom are over 80 years old.
West Los Angeles United Methodist Church (WLAUMC) is a community church that has been around since 1930.
- Funding from Keiro will support WLAUMC’s Café Aloha monthly meal program that supports older adult members through nourishment and friendly visits from volunteer drivers. This meal program supports the church members including Japanese-speaking congregants.
Zenshuji Soto Mission has served the Japanese American and Japanese community through spiritual support and regular programs since 1922. Zenshuji Soto Mission continues to develop new activities to best serve its aging congregation.
- Funding from Keiro will support the instructors’ and assistants, program accessibility through technology, and supplies for the class allowing participants to continue staying connected, educated, and participating in weekly wellness classes.