2023 May Newsletter

Jan 26

NEWS & UPDATES from Kizuna in May!

Tue, May 23, 2023 7:00 pm

***1st Summer Camp Counselor Training: COMPLETE!***
***Summer is fast approaching!*** May 13th was our first taste of summer camps this year, as we trained and watched over 70+ Counselors & Jr. Counselors. It's always exciting getting to know our helpers through fun team-building icebreakers and their newly assigned summer camp workshops! Can't wait to see the rest of our counselor team next Saturday!

***Support work like this through our 2023 Summer Camp Fundraiser! We are so close to our goal!***

Making Little Tokyo SPARKLE!~

Kizuna led the charge as TEAM WINDOWS for LT SPARKLE this year. Squeegees in hand, we took to the streets on Saturday morning to make Little Tokyo shine. Thank you to all who turned out and the incredible behind the scenes support to make this Nancy Kikuchi Volunteer Day happen.

Find How to Give

***2023 Board Fellowship: Updates***
We wish a productive rest of the year to the **2023 Board Fellowship Cohort.** After six hybrid learning sessions, all nine Fellows are now actively serving on Boards in the Little Tokyo Community and beyond through 2023. Thanks to local favorite, Far Bar, for a space to connect, unwind, and bond.

***8 More Days*** *to Help Us Reach Our Goal!*
*2023 Summer Camp Fundraiser*
*Kizuna Summer Camps preserve culture and create unforgettable memories. Support this celebration of Japanese American identity today and push us to our $50,000 goal.*

Donate Here!

***Register or Apply While You Still Can!***
**Summer Camp Counselor:** *Get paid or service hours* while having fun this summer! Our amazing counselors are the backbone of our summer camps! Gain ***leadership and communication skills*** among other things as you join us for one or more of our summer camp locations! :)
Applications close soon!

We especially have ***more openings*** ***at the following locations: DTLA, SFV, Pasadena, & OC! See you there!***

Counselor Apps

**Kizuna Kids Summer Camp:** *A week-long program for youth ages 7-13 that centers around building a foundation of Japanese American culture and heritage.*
Camper Registration closing soon!

***We especially have*** ***more openings*** ***at the following locations: DTLA, SFV, & West LA! See you there!***

Calling All NCI Alumni!
Join Us As We Kick Off NCI 2023!
***Are you a Nikkei Community Internship ALUM?*** We would love for you to join us for a night of reunion, free food, & celebrating NCI!

**Where:** Aloha Cafe: 410 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
**When:** Tuesday, June 20th, 6pm
**Parking:** Small Lot in Honda Plaza, Joe’s Parking on 2nd, or street parking
**Dress:** Casual
**Bring:** Business cards, friendly advice

RSVP Here!

Community News!

For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re uplifting @okaeri_la Season One of Okaeri Voices. #OkaeriVoices is an oral history project featuring LGBTQ+ and allied Japanese Americans over 60 who share their journeys of heartbreak, self-discovery, and triumph, inspiring us to believe in an inclusive future for our Nikkei LGBTQ+ community. Season One features George Takei, Mia Yamamoto, Bill Tashima, Harold & Ellen Kameya, Dean Goishi, Desiree Thompson, and Gary Hayashi. Follow @okaeri_la to see each individual highlight leading up to the release!

Enjoy a delicious day in Little Tokyo while supporting small businesses! Explore and learn about the neighborhood through walking tours and free activities.

J-Town: A Visual Novel offers an easily accessible avenue to learn more about the ins and outs of Japanese American culture. With hand-drawn art inspired by the real world counterparts in San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, explore our J-Town in this small slice-of-life narrative adventure. Talk to the community about real world issues like gentrification, cultural appropriation, and spatial preservation. And equally as important as the problems we face, come celebrate with us as we talk about cultural identity, our history, and more!

Donate to Kizuna's Programs!