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Little Tokyo Service Center News - June 2012
An Office With a Great View by Bill Watanabe

Bill in his office with a great view"What it's all about!"

People have asked me of what am I most proud regarding my work at LTSC.   Even while keeping my pride in check, this is such a hard question to answer.   I can't categorize one accomplishment any more worthy than another - but there are some instances that have made me feel very fulfilled:

  • When a low-income senior citizen was shown her brand-new future home at the Firm Building,  she shrieked with laughter and couldn't stop giggling with joy; my co-worker Judy Nishimoto nudged me and said "This is what it's all about!"
  • When I hear clients of A3M who were facing death share about their new lives with a future and hope, I can't help but feel "this is what it's all about!"
  • When I see parents pick up their kids from Grace Iino childcare and hug them after a long day; when I see families getting counseling so that their lives can be improved, when someone thanks me for something the LTSC staff has done for them, I am reminded again and again that "this is what it's all about!"

I thank God, and I thank the LTSC, for allowing me to have so many of these fulfilling and exhilarating moments over the past 32 years!   "Helping People and Building Community" - no doubt about it - this is what it's all about!

-Bill Watanabe
Buy Tickets Now: Sake and Food Tasting Event
Sake Postcard

Little Tokyo Sake & Tofu Tasting
Thursday, July 19, 2012 at The Vibiana
VIP Reception: 6pm-7pm
General Admission: 7pm-10pm

Early Bird General Admission
Buy Now

$65 Early Bird General Admission
(available online until July 1)
$75 General Admission
(after July 1)
$85 at the Door (based on availability)

VIP Admission
Buy Now

$125 Pre-Sale Only, Limited Availability

New This Year: The Sake Insider Blog
Follow our blog for special features on restaurants and get the most up to date information about the event. Click here to visit our blog.

For up to date information about participating restaurants, sponsors, and promotional partners, please visit our event website.

Did You Know: Fun Facts About Bill

Bill’s first car after getting his license was a 1953 Chevy pick-up truck.   His first car he owned was a 1957 Corvette (which he obtained 1961).

Bill’s favorite movie is "People Will Talk" starring Cary Grant.
Photos and Tribute Video: Retirement Celebration for Bill Watanabe

Thank you everyone for making Bill's retirement celebration a memorable event!

Bill with Lei
Bill's Wife and Daughter offer a reflection of his career
Bill with Friends
Bill presented with a lei
Bill's daughter, Natalie, and wife, Ruth, reflected on Bill's career
Many friends came to wish Bill well
     
June Kuramoto
Bill Presented with Budokan Jersey
Bill Walking Up to the Podium
June Kuramoto played a couple of pieces on her Koto in honor of Bill
The Budokan presented Bill with a special basketball jersey
Bill goes up to the stage to give his final remarks

Click here to view the tribute video for Bill that was shown at the event!

How Your Support Makes a Difference

LTSC helping seniors in Los Angeles

Ms. S* is 70 years old and lives alone in an apartment in Los Angeles.  She called LTSC because she had a question about her health insurance benefits.  A case manager at LTSC began to help her but soon realized her issue was complicated.  Ms. S. became very depressed and anxious about her benefits and that they might be in jeopardy.  Her case manager continued to help her with her issue but became concerned about her mental health and referred her to an LTSC therapist. LTSC provides in-home mental health services to older adults who are reluctant to access needed mental health services due to stigma associated with receiving services in a traditional mental health clinic.

LTSC’s therapist visits Ms. S in her home every other week for an hour or more and provides emotional support.  Since LTSC’s therapist started visiting Ms. S. she has become less anxious and stressed and is able to listen and have constructive conversations.  She has started reconnecting with old friends and started going to the local senior community center. Her therapist and case manager are proud of the progress she has made and will continue to provide services to Ms. S until her issues are resolved.  

Help LTSC Make a Difference

*Minor facts have been changed to protect identity.

Community BBQ and Sports Clinic – May 12, 2012

Can you imagine a high school size basketball court with youth and adults playing basketball and participating in clinics hosted by well-known coaches Dave Yanai and Jamie Hagiya? Or people of all ages practicing karate and enjoying painting and music? Well, no need to imagine any longer! The Budokan Community BBQ and Sports Clinic was a huge success and brought over 200 people to the future site of the Budokan Los Angeles. Everyone enjoyed a fun-filled day of amazing tri-tip lunches and an array of activities that will take place at the Budokan of Los Angeles everyday when it is built. Assembly Speaker John Perez, Senator Kevin DeLeon, and Councilwoman Jan Perry all attended and shared very encouraging words about the Budokan of Los Angeles. Thank you to everyone who made it a successful event!!

Community BBQ Group Shot with Jamie Hagiya
Bill and Jan Perry
Community BBQ

California Community Foundation Grants LTSC Support for Two Years

Ribbon CuttingLTSC has received a two-year grant from the California Community Foundation (CCF).  This grant will support LTSC’s work to develop affordable housing in Los Angeles.  With this support LTSC will continue work on 6 affordable housing development projects that when complete will provide 193 affordable apartments to low-income families, seniors and transition-aged youth.  In addition, this funding will support LTSC’s work to start construction on a new building for seniors in Koreatown.

The mission of CCF is to strengthen Los Angeles communities through effective philanthropy and civic engagement.  CCF envisions a Los Angeles County made up of safe, thriving and diverse communities. CCF is committed to increasing donor engagement and philanthropic dollars in Los Angeles and at CCF by addressing core concerns that are critical to the quality of life in L.A., strengthening the nonprofit sector in L.A. County by providing support services to help secure the organizational capacity of nonprofits, and contributing to positive social change through civic engagement and leadership.
CCF has been a great champion of LTSC’s mission to build affordable housing in Los Angeles’ immigrant neighborhoods.  LTSC thanks CCF for its continued support of our efforts to help people and build community.

May Donors – Thank You for Your Support!

Anonymous
Kyung Ja Chong
Debra Fong
Judy Fukuda
Aiza Galdo
Arthur & Jennie Hasegawa
Tomiye Hirashima
Kathy Huynh
Darin & Sabrina Ishimatsu
Harold & Carol Iwata
Mark Kawauchi
Nancy Kikuchi
Yueh Po Kuan
Robbin Narike-Preciado
David & Mary Noguchi
Dean Okamura
Tom & Shirley Okayama
Sakae Okuda
Jung Hee Park
Elizabeth Robitaille
Steven Ropp
Stacey Tanaka
Joe & Chizuko Yamagawa
Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

In memory of Jiro Takata
Eddie & Karen Takata

In-kind Donations
Shelter Partnership

Vehicle Donations
Dana Heatherton
Rebecca Gamero & Maria Sanchez
Kyoko & Tom Yoshida

In honor of Bill Watanabe’s retirement
Don & Lynn Akamine
Everett & Gladys Endow
Henry Fuhrmann
Lisa Hasegawa
George Hayakawa
Ron Hirano
Sarah Ihn
Bill Imada
Chie Iseri
Noelle Ito
Noriaki Ito
Alice Kaku
Naomi Kariyama
Lillian Kawasaki
Barbara Kim & Derek Li
Kei & Elaine Kokubun
Dennis & Cindy Kunisaki
Norma & Claude Martinez
Rev. & Mrs. George Matsubayashi
Teresa & Robert Matsushima
David & Mary Noguchi
Michael Odanaka
Frank Soyejima
Sharon & Raymond Sugiyama
Edward & Minnie Takahashi
Chor Chai & Marie Tan
Katie Tanijiri
Ruth Watanabe
Toshiko Yamamoto
Jane Yamashita

 

Increase Your Impact with Corporate Matching Gifts

Your company may be one of thousands that “match” employee charitable contributions with corporate dollars.  Ask you HR department about your company’s matching gift policy.  Visit our website by clicking here or contact eweaver@ltsc.org / (213) 473-1613 for more information.

Donate Your Old Car
Donated Car

Cars for a Cause
Jenny Yang recently donated her 1997 Nissan Sentra to LTSC.  Proceeds from vehicle donations like Jenny’s support LTSC’S many programs and services.  Thank you, Jenny!

Call (213) 473-1613 or e-mail cars@ltsc.org to donate your car.
Ways to Help LTSC

In making a donation to LTSC, you can:

  • Make a donation in memory of a loved one
• Make a donation in honor of someone’s birthday or graduation
• Make a stock donation
• Host a fundraiser to benefit LTSC

Donate Online, over the phone or via traditional mail.
Call (213) 473-1613

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Little Tokyo Service Center
231 E. Third Street, Suite G-106
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 473-3030