Published June 16, 2022

ClubGenki – a culturally-sensitive senior adult day program

Keiro and the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) announced a partnership to launch ClubGenki, a culturally-sensitive senior adult day program that seeks to enhance the quality of life for older adults aging at home. This collaboration combines the ESGVJCC’s long history as a vibrant Japanese American regional cultural and community organization for all ages with Keiro’s experience in providing health and support services to older adults in the Japanese American community.

According to the U.S. Census, over 95% of older adults are aging in their own homes. However, to do so often requires substantial amounts of support – from family, friends, health care and social services professionals, and the community.

Through a three-year, $150,000 commitment from Keiro, the partnership will support the ESGVJCC to expand their existing senior programs to include a licensed adult day program for older adults age 55 and older. Genki, which means “energy” or “healthy” in Japanese, is the core value of the program that seeks to promote Japanese and Japanese American culture through daily activities for older adults. By providing a healthy, nurturing, and socially-stimulating environment, ClubGenki hopes to promote overall wellness with a focus on one’s physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing. Participants will have access to the vast network of the ESGVJCC’s programs, including intergenerational activities with the Kokoro no Sato child care center. Once open, ClubGenki will operate Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm, with part-time options also available.

“Our community’s trusted network of centers, churches, and temples have long provided invaluable, ongoing support to older adults and their loved ones. For over 15 years, Keiro and the ESGVJCC have collaborated on various senior programs, and we are proud to partner with them on this new initiative. Through ClubGenki, we hope to expand much-needed services for older adults aging at home – and for their families,” said Gene S. Kanamori, president and CEO of Keiro.

“I’m very excited about our partnership with Keiro in establishing our ClubGenki senior adult day program. It is very important that we stay committed to the care of our seniors in all ways possible, and ClubGenki fits perfectly in our vision moving forward,” said Tim Itatani, board president of the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center. Pearl Omiya, executive director of the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center added, “ClubGenki aims to be a space where retired adults and seniors can continue their lifelong journey of learning while aging with grace and strength in their community.”

Open house for ClubGenki will be held on Saturday, July 9, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. by reservation only. Please email Pearl Omiya ([email protected]) to RSVP by July 5.

For more information on ClubGenki, please visit esgvjcc.org/senior-adult-day-program/.

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About Keiro
Founded in 1961, Keiro improves the quality of life for older adults and their caregivers in the Japanese American community of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties. Keiro provides a range of culturally-sensitive programs and resources, in both English and Japanese, to meet the evolving needs of our aging community. In everything it does, Keiro advances their mission through a person-centered, innovative, and collaborative approach.

About the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center
The East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) is a not for profit organization dedicated to foster and preserve the cultural heritage unique to Japanese American ancestry; and to serve the community through social services, artistic, recreational, and educational programs.