Angelina Preschool starts providing free grab-and-go meals
With the holiday season upon us, we reflect on how grateful we are for you, our supportive community and the clients we serve. During these challenging times, we’ve witnessed the overwhelming goodness in our community with so many people coming forward to help others.
In this issue, we want to express our gratitude to all those who create positive change in our community.
The shop sells Japanese housewares, crafts, gifts, and more
Bunkado is a Little Tokyo gem that’s served the community since 1946. The shop sells Japanese housewares, crafts, gifts, and more and is housed on the site of the very first Japanese owned business in Los Angeles. We’re thankful to have such a long-standing legacy business in the community.
Like many other small businesses, Bunkado was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since it’s part of LTSC’s mission to contribute to community revitalization, we support small businesses in the neighborhood. This year, we’ve been working overtime to help Bunkado and others stay open in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Our business counselors Mariko and Megan, along with their incredible team of volunteers, have spent countless hours free-of-charge with Bunkado’s owner, Irene, to go over digital marketing strategies, social media training and more.
Bunkado is a Little Tokyo gem that’s served the community since 1946
The tireless efforts of LTSC staff culminated in a new and improved Bunkado website with a streamlined look that appeals to users of all ages. These efforts also helped Bunkado launch an Instagram account and revamp its Facebook presence.
“LTSC does so much for the entire community. For a business like mine, I can’t imagine a group that does more for us. What I’m most impressed with is the incredible talent and brains they have over there, and we benefit from it. Thank you, Little Tokyo Service Center,” said Irene.
“Since the pandemic started, we’ve provided hands-on technical assistance to 20 Little Tokyo small businesses. Our LTSC team is two people; we’ve relied on a committed team of volunteers. Without the hard work of Dane Ishibashi, Sylvia Wakana Gunde and Sophia Chang assisting, there is no way we would have gotten up the new Bunkado website in under three months. Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season,” said Mariko Lochridge, LTSC Small Business Consultant.
Working with Bunkado is another step towards historical and cultural preservation in Little Tokyo and helps legacy businesses adapt to the 21st-century marketplace. We want to ensure that Bunkado and places like it can resist gentrification and acclimate to an ever-evolving retail landscape. It’s important that the small businesses preserving culture in Little Tokyo are given a chance to thrive.
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a worldwide effort for people to stand together and celebrate how nonprofit organizations like Little Tokyo Service Center help communities prosper. Giving Tuesday started in 2012 and takes place every Tuesday following Thanksgiving.
Help us reach our goal of $10,000 to provide holiday meals and gifts to residents in our affordable housing buildings!
We are hoping to provide:
Donate to our Giving Tuesday campaign!
*All food and gift distribution will be done according to CDC guidelines
Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC)
As we celebrated Veteran’s Day this month, we reflected on the sacrifices and bravery of our nation’s service members and yet how many unhoused veterans exist in our community.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Go For Broke* to build 74 affordable housing units for veterans in Little Tokyo. We believe housing is a right – and a debt owed in gratitude to our veterans. In September of this year, the Los Angeles City Council approved a lease on the grounds to be used in the project and an education center to be built on the ground floor! This news takes us one step closer to making this project a reality.
*The Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) is a nonprofit whose goal is to inspire new generations to embody the Japanese American veterans’ core values of courage, sacrifice, equality, humility and patriotism.
Limited edition Terasaki Budokan hoodies
Make sure you order your limited edition Terasaki Budokan t-shirts, long sleeves, crew neck sweaters or hoodies BEFORE midnight on Monday, November 30! All orders will be shipped on December 5 just in time for the holidays.
LTSC has partnered with Navidad en el Barrio,
For several years, LTSC has partnered with Navidad en el Barrio, to distribute holiday meals to families in need. On December 12, 2020, we’ll give food and toys to 150 families living in our affordable housing units. We’re looking for holiday helpers to support our food and toy distribution! All volunteers must adhere to the CDC guidelines for social distancing.
Thank you to all our supporters for your contributions last month!
Add your name to the list by making a DONATION today.
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