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Congratulations to the recipient organizations of the 2025 Keiro Grants Program cycle! Keiro looks forward to working with all 39 organizations to enhance the quality of life for older adults and caregivers in Our Community.

(Recipients are listed in alphabetical order)

Asian American Community Media Project (AACoMP) is dedicated to documenting and celebrating Asian Americans and their contributions to the community through documentary film media.

  • Funding from Keiro will support AACoMP’s Japanese American Vietnam Era Archives oral history project, outreaching to and recording the stories of Japanese American veterans of the Vietnam War.

Cerritos Baptist Church (CBC) is home to a congregation of many Japanese American older adults and caregivers, providing spiritual support, fellowship, and activities.

  • Funding from Keiro will support fellowship gatherings and lunches, ongoing chair exercise classes, field trips, and porch visits for homebound senior members, with the goal of building community and connection.

CharanPoran USA, Inc. provides free Japanese newsletters to Japanese-speaking older adults across Southern California several times per year, with articles that are meant to be educational and enjoyable for their readership.

  • Funding from Keiro will support core operations, allowing CharanPoran USA, Inc. to continue providing valuable information in Japanese to their readers.

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 whom 85% are over the age of 85, meets monthly for educational and socialization opportunities.

  • Funding from Keiro will support a safe gathering place for CENW’s monthly meetings, a regular newsletter, and lunch for their members, with the goal of preventing social isolation and helping their members maintain independence for as long as possible.

Crossroads Community Church of South Orange County (CCCSOC) was founded by a Japanese American pastor and continues to serve many Japanese American older adults and caregivers, providing spiritual education and fellowship.

  • Funding from Keiro will support the reestablishment of the Japanese senior fellowship group, a need expressed by older church members. The fellowship group will host regular gatherings for both seniors and families, with the hope of building stronger connections among themselves and younger generations.

East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) has provided programs and services that promote 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.

  • Funding from Keiro will support the purchase of patio furniture, as part of a larger project to redesign an outdoor space at ESGVJCC specifically for older adults to congregate.

Faith United Methodist Church (Faith UMC) has been in the South Bay community for over 60 years and is home to different groups that support Japanese American older adults and caregivers.

  • Funding from Keiro will support monthly in-person and home-delivered meal programs as well as a new “Senior Hang Out” program at the church, with the goal of fostering connection, community, and support.

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 Senior Smarties Wellness group, which builds on and expands existing programs and activities to promote health, wellness, and a sense of connectedness among both the church’s senior members and other older adults in the Pasadena Japanese American community.

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.

  • Funding from Keiro will support self-care workshops, including sound healing, meditation, and nutrition, in English and Japanese for older adults.

Japanese 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 guidance and comfort through worship services for Japanese-speaking older adults in facilities who otherwise would not have regular access to this kind of fellowship and engagement.

Kansai Club is a prefectural association for those from the Kansai region of Japan. Their mission is to promote awareness of the Kansai region and cultural exchanges between Kansai and the United States.

  • Funding from Keiro will support singing contests for Japanese-speaking older adults, allowing them to showcase their talents and providing a sense of purpose and an opportunity to connect with others.

Kansha History Project is developing a searchable database of Nikkei farms in California. Volunteer citizen historians are trained to review and input historic documents, helping to preserve and bring awareness to the Nikkei community’s farming history.

  • Funding from Keiro will support expansion of the project to Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, with community events and training of citizen historians. This project brings a sense of purpose and connection to both the community and individuals’ family histories.

Leisure Club at ESGVJCC 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 weekly lunch, where older adults gather for a meal, socialization, and activities in a safe environment.

Little Tokyo Community Council (LTCC) brings together a broad range of Little Tokyo stakeholders to protect, preserve, and promote the character and values of the historic community of Little Tokyo.

  • Funding from Keiro will support increased outreach to and enhanced participation of older adult residents and visitors in the design process of a new public space in Little Tokyo.

Little Tokyo Nutrition Services (LTNS) has provided daily hot Japanese lunches and referral services to older adults with limited income in Little Tokyo and the surrounding area for nearly 50 years. 

  • Funding from Keiro will support core operations to help keep the program running at its current capacity, providing vulnerable older adults with a regular hot meal and wellness check.

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 a monthly delivered bento and care package, newsletter, and educational workshops focused on supporting independence and safety at home.

Long Beach Japanese Cultural Center (LBJCC) has served the Long Beach Harbor area for over 65 years, furthering an understanding and appreciation of the Japanese culture and Japanese American experience through the arts, activities, classes, and events for people of all ages.

  • Funding from Keiro will support LBJCC’s twice-a-month senior meal program, including lunch and activities.

Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (LAHHBT) has been a place to learn about the teachings of Jodo Shinshu for over 100 years and provides assistance and cultural programs to the community at large.

  • Funding from Keiro will support LAHHBT’s weekly tai chi/qigong exercise classes, allowing senior participants to stay physically and mentally engaged.

Los Angeles Men’s Glee Club (LAMGC) is the only all-Japanese men’s chorus in Southern California. They have performed at concerts and events throughout the community for over 20 years.

  • Funding from Keiro will support LAMGC’s concerts for the community. Performing provides a sense of purpose for the older members, and regular choir practices strengthen connections as well as physical and mental health.

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 older adult-friendly taiko workshops at a senior living community, promoting physical and mental wellbeing through exercise and music.

Mission Valley Free Methodist Church (MVFMC), located in San Gabriel, focuses on being a loving community that invites and challenges people to live like Christ.

  • Funding from Keiro will support older adult members of MVFMC’s Japanese-speaking Nichigo group, through lunches, gatherings, field trips, and other activities, keeping them active and engaged with one another.

NALC USA is a membership-based, volunteer non-profit organization in California that builds a safe and vibrant network of communities through knowledge, skill, and time.

  • Funding from Keiro will support field trips for older members, providing socialization and an opportunity to explore new places.

Nikkei Choral Federation of Southern California (NCFSC) is an association of Japanese choral groups in Southern California, promoting mutual collaboration and support among its members.

  • Funding from Keiro will support a joint concert with NCFSC’s members as well as other non-member Japanese choirs. Practicing for and participating in a concert brings a sense of purpose to the various choir members, as well as connection with both the other choirs and the concert audience.

Orange County Buddhist Church (OCBC) has been a Buddhist community of friends and family practicing in the Shin Buddhism tradition for over 50 years. They also provide cultural and arts classes, regular senior activities, and sports for the Orange County area.

  • Funding from Keiro will support OCBC’s Tomodachi Bento Project, which provides a twice-monthly bento and wellness check for homebound older adults across Orange County.

Orange County Friendship Choir (OCFC) is a Japanese-speaking choir group founded in 2009 and 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 in Orange County.

  • Funding from Keiro will support the membership fees for OCFC’s older adult members, helping them to continue singing with the choir and remain socially engaged.

Orange County Japanese American Association (OCJAA) serves over 1,500 individuals in the Orange County Japanese-speaking community and promotes various social services and Japanese cultural activities through events, programs, and educational seminars.

  • Funding from Keiro will support meals for OCJAA’s various family caregiver and senior activities and events.

Oxnard Buddhist Temple (OBT), since 1929, has been a central place in Ventura County to learn about Buddhism through services, study classes, and family activities, including a Japanese language school and taiko group.

  • Funding from Keiro will support activities for over 100 older adult temple members, with the goal of increasing engagement and connection by offering more regular programs at OBT.

Pasadena Buddhist Temple (PBT) has served the Pasadena community for over 60 years as a spiritual center for its members, as well as a gathering place for cultural, social, athletic, and other local community events.

  • Funding from Keiro will support PBT’s ongoing exercise, activity, and lunch programs for older adults, providing them with opportunities to socialize and improve their physical wellbeing in a safe, friendly environment.

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 members. Through their social activities and events, they hope to bridge the Nisei and Sansei generations.

  • Funding from Keiro will help support in-person and home-delivered lunches, field trips, and other activities for their senior members.

Sakura Chorus was founded in 1982 as a female choral group and has regularly performed in the local community. They are one of the oldest Japanese choir groups in Southern California, and the average age of their members is 80 years old.

  • Funding from Keiro will support core operations, including assistance with membership fees, transportation to concert venues, and staffing—providing an engaging environment for members to practice and socialize with one another.

San Fernando Valley Meiji Senior Citizens’ Club (SFVMSCC) is based out of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, and their mission is to enhance the lives of seniors through Japanese cultural activities in the San Fernando Valley.

  • Funding from Keiro will support SFVMSCC’s popular bus trips. As driving becomes more of a challenge for their aging members, the bus trips provide an opportunity to socialize on fun outings.

Union Church of Los Angeles has served the Japanese American and Japanese-speaking community in Little Tokyo for over 100 years. The congregation is primarily made up of older adults, and Union Church seeks to enhance their quality of life through cultural activities, fellowship, and spiritual support.

  • Funding from Keiro will support the church’s post-worship Sunday lunch gatherings for senior members, with the goal of rebuilding and strengthening connections among its existing members and others from the Little Tokyo community.

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 and that of the surrounding local community.

  • Funding from Keiro will support VHBT’s initiatives to serve older adults and caregivers, including a quarterly care package delivery program, senior outreach and educational activities, and caregiver programs. Temple members of all ages assist with the implementation of these programs, fostering greater connection and understanding.

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 adults.

  • Funding from Keiro will support the VJCC Senior Nutrition Program’s monthly senior bento and birthday celebration programs as well as staffing for the Senior Wellness Program—all of which offer valuable opportunities for engagement and connectedness.

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 programs and events aimed at bringing together older adults and caregivers from across Ventura County, including a book club and bus trip.

Visual Communications (VC) is a community-based, non-profit media arts organization that provides services for the Asian American older adult community in Little Tokyo through its Digital Histories Filmmaking program. This program provides older adults with a creative outlet to share their stories and fosters a sense of community among their cohort.

  • Funding from Keiro will support VC’s Digital Histories Filmmaking program, which gives older adults the skills to tell a story of their choosing and shares the finished films with the community.

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 Dining with the Dharma program, which provides older homebound members with a weekly meal, spiritual support, and a friendly visit.

West Los Angeles United Methodist Church (WLAUMC) is a community church that has served the Westside area since 1930. A significant number of the congregants are Japanese or Japanese American, and services are offered in Japanese.

  • Funding from Keiro will support WLAUMC’s monthly Cafe Aloha meal program, which provides home-cooked Japanese lunches both in-person and delivered to homebound church members, offering a sense of connection and fellowship.

Zenshuji Soto Mission has served the Japanese American and Japanese community in Little Tokyo through spiritual support and regular programs since 1922. They continue to develop new activities to best support their aging congregation.

  • Funding from Keiro will support Zenshuji’s Zen Aerobics class for older adults, which improves physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing through exercise, meditation, and socialization.

For additional information about Keiro’s Grants Program, please visit keiro.org/what-we-do/grants-program.