Kizuna Little Tokyo Inc

KIZUNAS MISSION IS TO BUILD A FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT OF THE NEXT GENERATION.HIGHLIGHTS: IN THE 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR, KIZUNA HOSTED VIRTUAL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR YOUTH AGED 7-13. VIRTUAL PROGRAMS WERE ONCE AGAIN SUBSTITUTED FOR IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING AS A RESPONSE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC. A TIME-TRAVEL-THEMED VIRTUAL CAMP EDUCATED YOUTH AROUND JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMPS DURING WORLD WAR II IN ADDITION TO EDUCATING YOUTH AROUND JAPANESE AMERICAN TRADITIONS, VALUES AND CULTURE.DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, KIZUNA CREATED SEVERAL NEW PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY VIRTUALLY. KIZUNA HOSTED VIRTUAL STORYBOOK READINGS TO TEACH JAPANESE AMERICA AND ASIAN AMERICAN STORIES, CULTURE, AND LESSONS.ADDITIONALLY, AFTER RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ON LITTLE TOKYO BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND RESIDENTS, KIZUNA DEVELOPED A NEW PROGRAM CALLED COMMUNITY THRIVES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM T

SUMMER CAMPKIZUNAS SUMMER CAMP IS A LOCAL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 2NDTHROUGH 8TH GRADE, CENTERED ON BUILDING A FOUNDATION OF JAPANESEAMERICAN CULTURE & HERITAGE. SUMMER CAMP IS A FUN AND EXCITING WAY FOR KIDS TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR CULTURE AND HERITAGE. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON CREATING A PROGRAM THAT OUR CAMPERS WILL REMEMBER. EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: MOCHITSUKI, JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY, FAMILY ORAL HISTORIES, JAPANESE AMERICAN VALUES, BOOK READINGS AND MUCH MORE.

INTERNSHIPOCCURRING DURING THE SUMMER, OUR INTERNSHIP IS A PAID, 8-WEEK, FULL-TIME INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE DESIGNED TO HELP INTERNS MAKE A MARK IN THE COMMUNITY. PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH KIZUNA, OR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH THE JAPANESE COMMUNITY YOUTH COUNCIL (JCYC) AND JAPANTOWN COMMUNITY CONGRESS OF SAN JOSE (JCCSJ). DURING THE PROGRAM, INTERNS WILL DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT IMPACTFUL PROJECTS, MEET COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND BUILD A LEGACY TO HELP SHAPE OUR COMMUNITYS FUTURE.

LEADERSHIPOCCURRING EACH SUMMER, KIZUNAS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IS A 10-WEEK, WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO BUILD WELL-ROUNDED STUDENTS AND ENHANCE THEIR FUTURE SUCCESS. OUR MODEL OF SUCCESS IS CENTERED AROUND CONCEPTS OF IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY. THE NETWORKS, RELATIONSHIPS AND STRONG SENSE OF SELF-IDENTITY HELP OUR STUDENTS TO RISE ABOVE THE REST. KIZUNAS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IS OUR PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. WE PROMISE TO CREATE A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE THAT WILL HELP TO SHAPE THE NEXT GENERATION. OVER THE LAST DECADE, OUR PROGRAM HAS BECOME THE LARGEST JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.