The City of Los Angeles plans to reopen the waiting list for a housing voucher program (Section 8) that helps low-income individuals and families find affordable housing.

Those interested in the program will be able to apply online, from October 16-29. This pre-application process does not guarantee a spot on the waiting list for the program, but 20,000 applicants will be selected for the waiting list through a lottery system.

Visit hacla.hcvlist.org to apply. The application is online only and an email address is required.

For help, visit your LA Public Library or contact Little Tokyo Service Center with any questions at 213-473-3035.

ロサンゼルス市住宅局（HACLA）はこのほど、低所得者が政府から 住宅補助手当を受け、個人が所有する賃貸物件に低価格で居住でき る「住宅補助手当受給券プログラム」（セクション8）の順番待ち名 簿（ウェイティングリスト）への登録を10月16日から再開します。 この事前申請は住宅確保を保証するものではありませんが、抽選に より2万人の申請者が同プログラムの順番待ち名簿に載る機会が与え られます。

抽選申請は10月16日から29日までの期間のみ行われます。申請は オンラインでのみ受け付けられ、登録にはEメールアドレスが必要と なります。詳細は、ロサンゼルス市住宅局の下記ウェブサイトに掲 載されています。hacla.hcvlist.org

また、リトル東京図書館には日本語を話す職員がおり、Eメールア ドレスをお持ちでない方を対象に、アカウント作成の仕方を教えて くれるワークショップが10月12日（木）正午から午後1時まで同図 書館で行われます。 その他、抽選申請に関する簡単な手伝いが必 要な方は、リトル東京サービスセンターにお問い合わせください。 電話番号は、213−473−3035です。

Partnership initiative provides new staffing, expanded programs and financial help for older adults

For Immediate Release
September 18, 2017

Little Tokyo Service Center
231 E Third Street, G106
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Little Tokyo Service Center:
Contact: Mark Robbins, mrobbins@LTSC.orgcreate new email

Keiro:
Contact: Hiromi Aoyama, haoyama@keiro.orgcreate new email

LOS ANGELES, September 18, 2017 – For many older adults, managing healthcare needs and other personal affairs can be daunting. The stress of responding to letters from the Social Security Administration, arranging transportation for medical appointments or resolving problems with a landlord can lead to feelings of anxiety, isolation and depression. Among Japanese American and Japanese older adults, there is a significant need for support services. This is particularly true for monolingual Japanese speakers. Friends and family members who assume the responsibility of caring for older adults face their own set of challenges, and can themselves benefit from information and support.

For decades, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) and Keiro have provided health and mental health-related services and programs for Japanese American and Japanese older adults and their caregivers. Today, the two organizations announced a partnership initiative to expand and enhance LTSC’s existing bilingual services, while integrating Keiro’s experience, knowledge and resources. Through a three-year, $500,000 commitment from Keiro, the collaboration will:

• Enhance programs at the Far East Lounge. The Far East Lounge, LTSC’s multi-purpose gathering space for older adults and others in Little Tokyo and surrounding areas, organizes fun activities to improve memory, physical health and social wellbeing, as well as reduce isolation and depressive symptoms. Keiro funding will support the addition of a counselor to help older adults and their caregivers connect with needed social services, offer workshops on topics like managing memory loss and coping with challenges, and broaden LTSC’s community engagement efforts to reach more seniors.
• Expand LTSC’s capacity to serve caregivers through a caregiver support specialist. LTSC’s bilingual social workers and care managers assist seniors with tasks such as navigating government benefits, translating health and government-related documents, facilitating support groups and maintaining a registry of care providers for those needing assistance in the home. The addition of a caregiver support specialist will allow LTSC to counsel more families, offer additional workshops, expand the number of support groups and recruit and train more care providers to build the registry into a robust resource.
• Supplement LTSC’s client assistance programs. LTSC’s client assistance programs provide temporary aid to older adults, without other resources, to help them overcome financial predicaments.

“Through our work, we continue to observe a significant need for social services and health care among low-income and Japanese-speaking older adults,” said LTSC’s Executive Director Dean Matsubayashi. “We appreciate Keiro’s commitment to moving forward with LTSC to ensure seniors receive the services they need and deserve. Our collaboration will help LTSC sustain underfunded programs, reach more seniors and promote healthy and independent living for them and their caregivers.”

“Through our work, we continue to observe a significant need for social services and health care among low-income and Japanese-speaking older adults,” said LTSC’s Executive Director Dean Matsubayashi. “We appreciate Keiro’s commitment to moving forward with LTSC to ensure seniors receive the services they need and deserve. Our collaboration will help LTSC sustain underfunded programs, reach more seniors and promote healthy and independent living for them and their caregivers.”

Leona Hiraoka, President and Chief Executive Officer of Keiro, adds “Older adults today, particularly those in the Japanese community, are living much longer lives, so their needs as they age can cover a broad spectrum, from opportunities for social interaction and education, to more serious concerns for physical and mental health support. We are honored to partner with Little Tokyo Service Center in enhancing the great work they already do in our community, and together, help to improve the quality of life for the oldest of our citizens.”

####

About Little Tokyo Service Center

Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) is a social service and community development organization that has been creating positive change for the people and places in Southern California for more than 37 years. Starting with its home in Little Tokyo, the organization builds and strengthens the unique ethnic communities of the region and helps people thrive. Assisting Nikkei seniors has been at the core of LTSC’s work since its establishment in 1979. LTSC’s social services program, which was created to serve monolingual Japanese seniors, is the organization’s longest running program. LTSC’s services for seniors include: care management, counseling and therapy, intake information and referral, support groups, community education workshops and other senior-focused activities that promote wellness. For more information, visit ltsc.org.

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 participate in research and innovation work where Keiro can contribute to advancing progress in resolving the challenges of aging. Keiro is based in Los Angeles. For more information, visit Keiro.org.

日系高齢者を支援するためにリトル東京サービスセンターとKeiroが 提携

高齢者のために新たな人材を配置し、プログラムを拡充、財政支援 を提供します

ロサンゼルス、2017年9月18日――必要なヘルスケアや身の回りの 事の自己管理に苦労する高齢者は大勢います。社会保障局（Social Security Administration）からの手紙への対応や、通院するための交 通手段の手配、大家との問題解決などのストレスにより、不安や孤 独、憂うつを感じたりする場合もあります。日系アメリカ人および 日本人の高齢者、特に日本語しか話せない方で支援サービスを必要 としている人は沢山います。また、高齢の友人や家族をお世話する 方々は彼ら特有の課題に直面しているため、彼らにとって役立つ情 報や支援が求められています。

リトル東京サービスセンター（Little Tokyo Service Center: LTSC） とKeiroはそれぞれ過去数十年にわたって、心身の健康に関するサー ビスとプログラムを日系アメリカ人および日本人の高齢者、また介 護者に提供して参りました。本日この2つの法人が、３年間のパート ナーシップを組むことを発表しました。これにより、Keiroの経験、 知識、資源を組み入れ、LTSCが今まで提供してきた2カ国語での社 会福祉サービスをさらに拡大、強化することができます。 3年間のパートナーシップで、Keiroは50万ドルを提供すると発表し ました。提携するプログラムは次の3つです：

• ファーイースト·ラウンジにおけるプログラム強化。 ファーイースト·ラウンジ（Far East Lounge）はLTSCが運 営する多目的スペースで、様々な用途に使われています。リ トル東京および周辺地域に住む高齢者を含む様々な年代の 人々が利用しており、記憶力の改善、健康増進、社会福祉を 推進するとともに、孤立を防ぎ、抑うつ症状を軽減するため のアクティビティを実施しています。Keiroの資金によりカウ ンセラーを1名増員し、高齢者と介護者が必要な社会サービ スを利用する支援をし、物忘れ対策や様々な課題への対処方 法といったテーマについて学ぶワークショップを開催し、ま たLTSCによる地域活動を拡大し、積極的により多くの高齢 者に手を差し伸べられるようになります。
• 介護者を支援する専門家1名を雇用し、LTSCの介護者向け サービス拡充。LTSCは現在までに、2カ国語を話せるソー シャルワーカーとケアマネジャーによる、政府給付金の案 内、健康や政府関連文書の翻訳、サポートグループの支援、 在宅支援が必要な方向けの介護者登録簿の維持管理などを通 じ、介護者および高齢者を支援して参りました。このほど介 護者を支援する専門家1名を増員することにより、LTSCはよ り多くの家族の相談に応じ、ワークショップを追加し、サ ポートグループの数を増やすと共に、より多くの介護者を募 り、訓練、登録し、強固な人材供給基盤を築き、介護者およ び高齢者の支援につなげていきます。（介護者には、家族や 友人を家庭で介護する介護者、および職業として有料で働く 介護者が含まれます）
• LTSCのクライアント（サービス利用者）支援プログラム補 充。LTSCのクライアント支援プログラムは、他に頼れる先 がない高齢者に当座の援助を提供し、金銭的な窮地から抜け 出せるよう手助けします。

LTSCのディーン・松林所長（Executive Director Dean Matsubayashi）は、次のように述べています。「私たちは、以前か ら取り組みを通じて低所得で日本語しか話せない高齢者の間に社会 福祉および健康に関する大きなニーズが存在していることをよく目 にして参りました。高齢者が必要とする、そして彼らが受けるに値 するサービスを確実に受けられるようにするため、KeiroはLTSCと 共に前進することを約束してくれました。Keiroが協力してくださる ことに、私たちは感謝しています。両者の協力は、資金不足にある LTSCのプログラムを持続し、より多くの高齢者に手を差し伸べ、高 齢者とその介護者がより健康的に自立した生活を送ることを推進す るのに役立つことでしょう」

らにKeiroの代表兼最高経営責任者（CEO）を務めるレオナ・ヒラオ カ（Leona Hiraoka）は「最近の高齢者、特に日系コミュニティにい る人々はとても長生きされています。そのため高齢化に伴うニーズ は、社交的な付き合いや教育から、心身の健康維持に対する深刻な 不安に至るまで、幅広い領域におよびます」と述べ、「リトル東京 サービスセンターとパートナーを組み、同センターが既に私たちの コミュニティで行っている素晴らしい取り組みを強化し、両者が力 を合わせて、特に高齢な市民の生活の質を改善するために支援でき ることを光栄に思います」と話しています。

####

リトル東京サービスセンターについて

リトル東京サービスセンター（LTSC）は社会福祉サービスと地域開 発を行う団体で、37年余りにわたって南カリフォルニアの人々と地 域に貢献して参りました。リトル東京で誕生した当団体は、この地 域特有の民族的コミュニティを構築して強化することで、人々の繁 栄を手助けしています。1979年の創設以来、日系高齢者の支援は LTSCの活動の核になっています。日本語しか話せない日系高齢者に サービスを提供する社会福祉部は、当団体で最も長く続いているプ ログラムです。LTSCによる高齢者向けサービスは、ケアマネジメン ト〔住宅、財務、介護 など、その人のニーズに応じたサービスのア レンジなどを提供すること〕、カウンセリングとセラピー、入居情 報と斡旋、サポートグループ、地域社会教育ワークショップ、およ びその他の高齢者向け健康増進活動などを含みます。詳しい情報は こちらでご覧いただけます：ltsc.org

Keiroについて

Keiroは、日系アメリカ人と日本人コミュニティの高齢者およびその 介護者の生活の質を向上させるという理念の下、ロサンゼルス、オ レンジ、ベンチュラカウンティを中心に活動するNPO法人です。孤 立、経済的困難、複数疾患、および認知・記憶障害など、加齢がも たらす多くの課題や障壁に対して様々な支援を提供しています。さ らに多くの高齢者および介護者に手を差し伸べるサービスの拡充を 実現するため、Keiroは企業や他の組織と提携しているとともに、加 齢がもたらす課題解決に向け、研究やイノベーションにも積極的に 参加しています。Keiroはロサンゼルスに拠点を置いています。詳し い情報はこちらでご覧いただけます：Keiro.org

September 8, 2017

August was a trying month for the nation.

Our hearts go out to the people impacted by Hurricane Harvey—all those who tragically lost loved ones, homes, possessions and stability in their lives. We hope for a swift recovery for the region, understanding the hurricane’s damage will be felt for years.

While images of Harvey’s devastation affect us all, two other national news stories struck at the core of our principles as an organization. These were the violent events in Charlottesville, Virginia and the fate of thousands of young adult immigrants who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, or Dreamers

When white supremacists and neo-Nazis descended on Charlottesville for the “Unite the Right” rally, it represented a backlash against diversity and inclusivity. Aside from the overtly racist messages spewed by protesters, calls to preserve Confederate monuments sought to elevate a single whites-only “culture” or “heritage” at the expense of other ethnic backgrounds and viewpoints.

Little Tokyo Service Center’s work directly opposes that way of thinking. Founded in 1979, we have always prioritized inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. This started with our social services department, our longest running program, which was created to assist underserved monolingual Japanese seniors with linguistically and culturally sensitive care.

Over the years, we have worked to strengthen and sustain Little Tokyo in order to preserve a link to Japanese and Japanese American culture. Today, recognizing our place among a network of allies pushing for social justice, we collaborate to help other low-income and ethnic neighborhoods

We also appreciate the value immigrants bring to our communities. Connected to the story of Japanese immigrants in the U.S., including the World War II incarceration of people of Japanese descent, we understand the challenges faced by newer generations of immigrants to our country.

Thus, we firmly support DACA, which protects undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. This important program allows roughly 800,000 immigrants, raised alongside U.S. citizens, to remain in the country without fear of deportation as long as they comply with certain requirements.

While we hope our leaders will seek to bring us together on difficult issues, when it comes to Charlottesville and DACA, President Trump’s words and actions have created problems instead of solutions. His refusal to unequivocally condemn hate groups has inflicted pain and emboldened the most misguided among us. His unwillingness to extend protections for Dreamers has produced fear in many who are vulnerable. These positions fit a dreadful pattern, along with the President’s policies targeting Muslims, transgender people and other minority groups.

Our mission rests on principles of compassion, equality and respect for diversity. We stand with all those who support immigrants and condemn displays of racism and intolerance.

Dean Matsubayashi
LTSC Executive Director

For Immediate Release
July 11, 2017

Little Tokyo Service Center
231 E Third Street, G106
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Contact: Mark Robbins, mrobbins@LTSC.orgcreate new email

On August 3, 2017, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) will break ground on the multipurpose sports facility and community center Paul I. Terasaki Budokan, an important step toward fulfilling a decades-old community vision.

To commemorate the milestone, a ceremony will be held at the future Budokan site on Los Angeles Street between 2nd Street and 3rd Street in Little Tokyo. The event will assemble supporters, funders, lenders and elected officials.

In 1994, after a series of community planning sessions, LTSC embarked on an ambitious campaign to build a downtown facility for youth, families and seniors to enjoy sports, community events and other opportunities to connect with Little Tokyo and Japanese American culture.

With support from major funding sectors including government, private foundations, corporations, and individual donors, LTSC has raised $24.3 million of the estimated $25 million needed for construction. The organization continues to seek contributions to stay on target. Once LTSC has successfully covered Budokan construction costs, it will shift into phase two of its fundraising, an endowment campaign to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the facility.

“Community support for the Budokan has been overwhelming,” said LTSC Executive Director Dean Matsubayashi, “from an eleven-year-old girl who made bracelets to raise funds for the project to a group of thirty-somethings who produced a fundraiser, Straight Outta Little Tokyo.”

Among many significant individual and family contributions; gifts from the Terasaki Family Foundation; the Aratani Foundation; the George, Ruri, Lisa and Nathan Sugimoto Family Foundation and Aiko Kawaratani have been critical to the fundraising effort for Budokan. In appreciation of their generosity, the facility, gymnasium, courts, and garden will respectively bear their names.

Budokan construction will begin in mid-September and completion of the project is expected before the end of 2018. Budokan will house a two-court gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, martial arts and other activities. The facilities will also feature an outdoor plaza for special events, children’s playground and a community room.

Registration for the groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and the program will start at 9:30 a.m. The ceremony will be outdoors and seating will be limited. Parking will not be available at the groundbreaking site. Refreshments will be served following the program. The event is free, but RSVPs are encouraged through the Terasaki Budokan website:

ABOUT LTSC

Little Tokyo Service Center is a social service and community development organization that has been creating positive change for the people and places in Southern California for more than 37 years. We preserve and strengthen the unique ethnic communities of our region and help people thrive. Starting with our own home in Little Tokyo, we build and strengthen communities throughout Southern California where people, culture and our collective future matter.

For Immediate Release
July 27, 2017

Little Tokyo Service Center
231 E Third Street, G106
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Contact: Mark Robbins, mrobbins@LTSC.orgcreate new email

On July 21, 2017, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) held its 11th Annual Sake and Food Tasting event “Sake at First Street North, Little Tokyo.” Over 800 guests enjoyed sake from various regions of Japan and delicious cuisine at First Street North, a historic block that LTSC deems critical to the future of the Little Tokyo neighborhood. LTSC’s signature event raises funds for a broad array of the organization’s programs that promote “positive change for people and places.” This year’s event featured small plates from 15 top Los Angeles restaurants and over 50 types of sake.

“Our sake and food tasting event has become a new tradition in our community,” said LTSC Executive Director Dean Matsubayashi. “Its success would not be possible without our many supporters and the great generosity of our sponsors.” Among numerous contributors, U.S. Bank served as the event’s title sponsor. Mutual Trading Co., Inc. provided sake and spirits.

LTSC chose First Street North as the location and theme of the 2017 event to draw attention to an important community issue. Home to several iconic businesses and institutions, Little Tokyo’s First Street North block is now threatened by impending development. Approximately 3.5 open acres of First Street North are owned by the City of Los Angeles and could soon be up for sale.

Matsubayashi explained, “Little Tokyo must have a seat at the table when decisions are made as to the future of First Street North.” Through events like “Sake at First Street North, Little Tokyo,” LTSC and community allies seek to highlight the need to protect the block’s unique identity. LTSC is part of an ad hoc committee focused on the issue that includes: East West Players, the Go For Broke National Education Center, the Japanese American National Museum, the Little Tokyo Community Council, Sustainable Little Tokyo, Visual Communications as well as local residents and businesses.

The Sake event featured a multimedia installation to inspire guests to re-imagine First Street North. The installation was developed by +LAB, LTSC’s creative community development project.

LTSC also acknowledged individuals and organizations known for supporting the organization’s work and a commitment to Los Angeles communities. Honorees included: Eric Garcetti, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles; Supervisor Hilda Solis, County of Los Angeles; NeighborWorks and the Tuesday Nite Project.

ABOUT LTSC

Little Tokyo Service Center is a social service and community development organization that has been creating positive change for the people and places in Southern California for more than 37 years. We preserve and strengthen the unique ethnic communities of our region and help people thrive. Starting with our own home in Little Tokyo, we build and strengthen communities throughout Southern California where people, culture and our collective future matter.

Front row from left: Paul Terasaki, Keith Terasaki, Hisako Terasaki, Cecilia Terasaki. Back row from left: Alan Nishio (Chairperson, LTSC Board of Governors), Debra Nakatomi (President, LTSC Board of Directors), Yuko Uyesugi, George Uyesugi, Dean Matsubayashi (LTSC Executive Director).

Little Tokyo Service Center announced a $3.5 million gift from the Terasaki Family Foundation in support of LTSC’s campaign to build Budokan of Los Angeles. Once constructed, Budokan will serve as a multipurpose sports facility and community center in downtown LA’s Little Tokyo, as well as a catalyst for revitalizing the historic neighborhood.

The gift from the Terasaki Family Foundation, formed by the late organ transplant pioneer and philanthropist Paul I. Terasaki, provides a critical lift to LTSC’s fundraising effort. Including the $3.5 million contribution, the campaign has now raised over $23 million or 90% of the projected capital costs to begin construction. In appreciation of the Terasaki Family Foundation’s gift, Budokan will be named “Paul I. Terasaki Budokan” in tribute to Dr. Terasaki.

“We are so grateful for the generous support of the Terasaki family,” said Dean Matsubayashi, executive director of Little Tokyo Service Center. “We are entering a pivotal stage in our fundraising and are confident this contribution will inspire others to help us reach our goal before the start of construction this summer.”

Once LTSC has successfully covered construction capital costs for Budokan, it will shift into phase two of its fundraising, an endowment campaign necessary to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the facility. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for August of this year.

“This very significant gift from the Terasaki Family Foundation brings us very close to completing the capital campaign,” explained LTSC Board President Debra Nakatomi. “It will be a big boost, not only for this project, but for Little Tokyo Service Center and the Little Tokyo community as a whole.”

“We are happy to see Budokan named after my father,” said Dr. Terasaki’s son Keith. “He was proud to be a Japanese American and he wanted the Japanese American community to prosper. As Japanese American families are spread all over the Southland, the Terasaki Budokan will provide Little Tokyo with a place where all generations can visit and feel like we belong.”

A renowned scientist, Dr. Terasaki is best known for inventing a tissue-typing test that became the international standard for matching transplant surgery donors with recipients. Terasaki also generously supported his alma mater UCLA, scholarship, international affairs and the Japanese American community.

LTSC’s announcement was made before a small gathering at the home of George and Yuko Uyesugi, generous supporters of the Budokan project.

ABOUT LTSC

Little Tokyo Service Center is a social service and community development organization that has been creating positive change for the people and places in Southern California for more than 35 years. We preserve and strengthen the unique ethnic communities of our region and help people thrive. Starting with our own home in Little Tokyo, we build and strengthen communities throughout Southern California where people, culture and our collective future matters.

Lincoln Brown Illustration

The South Bay area of Los Angeles County is home to the largest concentration of Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants, collectively referred to as “Nikkei,” in the mainland United States. LTSC has been providing bilingual social services in the South Bay for more than 20 years.

LTSC engaged in a year-long needs assessment process with various community partners to identify the greatest needs in the South Bay Nikkei communities. The demographic data, survey results, and focus group findings, as well as recommendations are compiled in a needs assessment report that can be downloaded here.

This study was funded by grants from NeighborWorks® America and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Aratani Community Advancement Research Endowment (CARE).

Please email any inquiries regarding this report to SouthBay@LTSC.orgcreate new email.