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Keiro announced its 2018 Grants Program cycle, which will invest up to $250,000 to community-based organizations in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties as an important component of Keiro’s strategy to advance the quality of life for Japanese American and Japanese older adults. The program will prioritize programs and partnerships that reduce isolation among older adults.
Social isolation is a growing health epidemic that impacts more than 8 million older adults nationwide. It is defined as the state of complete or near-complete lack of contact between an individual and society. It differs from loneliness, which reflects a temporary lack of contact with other humans.
“In the aging field, social isolation is increasingly recognized as a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of older adults. One study equates it to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Keiro is addressing this pressing issue in part by partnering with organizations that are combatting social isolation, to support our older adults and caregivers,” said Leona Hiraoka, Keiro president & CEO.
Selected through a competitive, community-based review process, the 2018 Grants Program will offer individual grants of up to $15,000 to qualified community-based organizations. The grants are designed to provide support to organizations looking to expand and continue services that increase social connectedness among older adults and caregivers. Proposals for program development, capital costs, capacity building, and general operating support will all be considered. The proposal deadline for this year’s grants cycle is August 31, 2018.
The goals of Keiro’s Grants Program are to:
- Enhance the quality of life of older adults and their caregivers in the Japanese American and Japanese community who are most in-need or vulnerable
- Reduce social isolation and loneliness among Japanese American and Japanese older adults
- Promote culturally sensitive, sustainable programs and services accessible to Japanese American and Japanese older adults
- Strengthen systems of support for older adults and their caregivers through local service providers, programs, and resources
This summer, Keiro will offer informational workshops in the community to discuss goals of the program, eligibility requirements, and guide prospective applicants through the application process.
Registration is required to attend a workshop! Workshops are scheduled as follows:
- Wednesday, June 13, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center
- Monday, June 18, 2018 | 6:00 p.m. Venice Japanese Community Center
- Saturday, June 23, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
- Tuesday, June 26, 2018 | 4:00 p.m. Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
- Friday, June 29, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. Orange County Buddhist Church
- Tuesday, July 3, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. Faith United Methodist Church
- Friday, July 6, 2018 | 12:00 p.m. Online Webinar
- Tuesday, July 24, 2018 | 11:00 a.m. Online Webinar
- Ventura County TBA
To register for a grants workshop, please click here. For additional information regarding Keiro’s Grants Program, including the applications and guidelines, please visit www.keiro.org/applying-for-grants or call 213.873.5703.
About Keiro
Keiro is a mission-driven organization engaged in improving the quality of life for older adults and their caregivers in the Japanese American and Japanese community of Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. Keiro delivers a wide range of resources to address the challenges and barriers that aging presents: isolation, limited financial resources, complex health conditions, and cognitive and memory disabilities. Keiro also partners with companies and organizations that can expand its services and ability to reach seniors and caregivers, and participates in research and innovation work where Keiro can contribute to advancing progress in resolving the challenges of aging. Keiro is headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information, visit Keiro.org