You Inspire Us!
Thank you to all donors who answered the “Tech Tub Reboot” call for action. You inspire us and we thank you very much for assisting Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society in helping seniors.
Thank you to all donors who answered the “Tech Tub Reboot” call for action.
You inspire us and we thank you very much for assisting Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society in helping seniors. “Inspire Action” raised over $200,000, exceeding our $100,000 goal. Yes, you helped exceed the goal!
Your donation is at work now and will be put to work for their 2022 programs.
TUB – The Arjo Parker Series tub is now on order and expected to arrive in October. The renovation in the spa room begins September. Once it is completed, the residents will enjoy the experience of a warm soak while the staff can feel assured with all the safety features.
TECH – Nikkei Seniors is putting the ‘tech project’ to test. We recently upgraded our Internet WIFI connections; and purchased eight Echo devices for the residents’suites and to-go pocket WIFI-hot spots as needed. The Outreach Coordinator is now running programs – brain exercise, physical exercise, eating and chatting together, creating a link for a doctor to call in, and initiating a new kind of in-suite family visit. Once tested and the kinks resolved, we will offer more devices to residents. The long term goal is to start making this available to the seniors living at home. Our goal is to support “Better at Home.”
REBOOT – Iki Iki/Lively Lively (dementia friendly) and Kui Do Raku (Eat, Chat, Relax) have not started onsite (due to health restrictions) but they are in the rebooted and testing phase for an immediate start as soon as we get the ‘ok’ from the Fraser Health Authority. Part-time staff have been hired in the development, implementation, and sustainability of the reboot. These staff take the place of the volunteers who have not been permitted to work due to COVID restrictions. Volunteers have been a vital part of our programs and, as restrictions lift, our hope is for their return. In the meantime, the coordinators are maintaining contact with volunteers and seniors. This re-opening is what we have all been waiting for. For the seniors, new activities in familiar surroundings. “Let’s Go!” is our motto.
For the 2022 fiscal year, the planned outreach programs will happen as a result of your donation. Some of the funded activities are: dementia-friendly full-day programs; socialization programs; physical and brain exercise; tech connections for those who are unable to participate in person; plus film and documentary production and volunteer training and orientation.
Thank you all: you have been an inspiration. Kansha shimasu.
Meet Eiji Yoshikawa, who is keeping up the good fight!
At Nimi Nikkei Home (before Corona), you could find Eiji in the Kenko Wellness Lounge teaching seniors how to box in the “Outfight Parkinson” program.
Meet Eiji Yoshikawa, Who Is Keeping Up The Good Fight!
Volunteer Spotlight
Eiji is 60 years young. He was born in Japan in Shikoku, and grew up in a Buddhist temple since his grandpa was a monk. He spent his youth like a monkey, playing in the fields, rivers, mountains, and seas for 20 hours per day. He has also lived in Tokyo, and majored in French Literature at Chuo University in Tokyo.
““I never listened to adults around me but did listen to Chaplin, Visconti, Fellini, Carne, Picasso, Vivaldi, Bizet, Beethoven, Renoir… those top filmmakers, painters, composers, etc., who were the “real deals” to this wild kid.” ”
Since 1980, Eiji has been a professional boxer, and is still fighting for charities. He didn’t marry until he was 45, spending much of his time training boxing champions.
““I flew probably 800 times through the world and it taught me so much”, he says. ”
Eiji has coached not only world champions but also anyone wishing to learn from him, as boxing is a learning tool to be a better person in endless and diverse ways.
At Nimi Nikkei Home (before Corona), you could find Eiji in the Kenko Wellness Lounge teaching seniors how to box in the “Outfight Parkinson” program. When the gloves were off, he also helped copywrite Japanese for the website, and make posters. In his role as Volunteer Coordinator, he would help find volunteers, and organize volunteer appreciation events such as movie shows, boxing classes, boxing shows at the Dojo, etc.
If you’re wondering how Eiji first got involved at Nikkei Place, this is how the story goes…
““I have a boxing class called MamaFight in North Vancouver. One night, a lady came to watch the class. Afterward, she said “I’m starting a class for seniors with Parkinson’s disease and I need to learn boxing first myself”. I said “I’ll come tomorrow” and I did. Ever since, years of miracle-making class where the “incurable disease” has been proven not incurable. When I heard “Parkinson’s disease”, there was no second to wait.””
When we asked Eiji why it was important to him to volunteer at Nikkei Place, he summed it up by quoting Mother Thersa – “A life not lived for others is not a life”.
The first time Eiji ran the “Outfight Parkinson” boxing class, he remembered that the seniors looked rather quiet and unsure. However, soon they were laughing out loud with other participants even about the disease and telling new participants “Don’t listen to those bad doctors. Just come here and punch! You’ll be fine, I guarantee!”
The biggest surprising moment that came from volunteering with Nimi Nikkei Home happened to Eiji in 2019.
““I found myself fighting again in the ring at age 59 against the 27-year-old Canadian National Champion 3 times within a year just to inspire the seniors.””
It’s hard not to be inspired by Eiji’s enthusiasm and zest for life. We are so happy and appreciative of all the wonderful things he brings to Nimi Nikkei Home – positivity, inspiration, and smiles on seniors’ faces.
Celebrating International Women's Day at Nikkei Place
We are proud of the many women who play a vital role in the successes of Nikkei Place! Hear from some of the outstanding women in leadership positions on our teams about what or who inspires them to take action.
We are proud of the many women who play a vital role in the successes of Nikkei Place!
In celebration of International Women’s Day we are showcasing some of the outstanding women in leadership positions on our teams throughout the month of March. In conjunction with our spring INSPIRE ACTION fundraising campaign, we asked them their thoughts on what or who inspires them to take action, what traits make for great leaders, and if they have any advice to share or sayings that they live by.
These spotlights are part of Nikkei Place Foundation’s INSPIRE ACTION spring fundraising campaign to support the three charities at Nikkei Place. Click here to learn more.
