About Us - Little Tokyo Service Center
 

About Us

MISSION

The mission of Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) is to provide a comprehensive array of social welfare and community development services to assist low income individuals and other persons in need, contribute to community revitalization and cultural preservation in Little Tokyo and among the broader Japanese community in the Southland, and to provide such resources to neighboring Asian Pacific Islander and other low income communities.

HISTORY

history-imgFounded in 1979 and incorporated in 1980 by a group of Japanese Americans activists who wanted to form a multipurpose social service center, Little Tokyo Service Center aimed to provide linguistically and culturally sensitive social services to the Little Tokyo community and the broader Japanese American community in Southern California.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, LTSC began advocating for the housing rights of low-income residents who were being evicted to make way for private development. Out of this struggle, the community development arm of LTSC was formed in 1994.

Today, our focus is to promote community control and self-determination in Little Tokyo and with our partners while continuing to provide social services to those in need.

PHOTO GALLERY

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MEET THE TEAM

Staff and Volunteers

Staff volunteers for ltsc social service event

Leadership

LTSC Erich Nakano Headshot image

Erich Nakano

Executive Director

LTSC Takao Suzuki Headshot image

Takao Suzuki

Director of Community Development

LTSC Bomee Kim Fain Headshot image

Bomee Kim Fain

Director of Finance

Margaret Shimada headshot image for LTSC

Margaret Endo Shimada

Director of Service Programs

LTSC Grant Sunoo Headshot Image

Grant Sunoo

Director of Community Building and Engagement

portrait of sharon

Sharon Kamegai Cocita

Director of Development and Communications

Claire Kitayama

President

Miguel Núñez

Vice President

Jeffry Yonemura

Treasurer

Jessica Chang

Secretary

Dennis Arguelles

Executive Board Member

Dick Kaku

Executive Board Member

Edwin Takahashi

Executive Board Member

Kelly Takasu

Executive Board Member

Kira Conlon

Executive Board Member

Akemi Arakaki

Betty Avila

Bibiana Rosalia

Chris Aihara

DJ Yoon

George Tanaka

Jeff Schaffer

Karen Umemoto

 

Kathy Masaoka

 

Keith Terasaki

Kelsey Iino

 

Kirk Sasaki

On leave of absence

Mark Usui

Mary Ann Takemoto

Noelle Ito

Perla Eston

Sid Kato

Dean Matsubayashi, Executive Director 2012-2019

AFFILIATED PROGRAMS

LTSC provides fiscal sponsorship to a group of affiliated programs that advance LTSC’s mission through their important work.

Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Collaborative

Alliance for Community Transit-Los Angeles

Japanese Speaking Parents of Children with Challenges

Nikkei Helpline

Okaeri

Ryugakusei Hotline

Tuesday Night Project

HAVE A QUESTION?

Reach out to us today.

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