Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-28 Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-28

Monthly Donations Update (April 26 - May 20, 2021)

The Foundation acknowledges gifts we receive for Nikkei Place. Thank you to our recent donors from April 26 - May 20, 2021 inclusive!

Important Notice:

Since March 18, 2020, Nikkei Place Foundation has transitioned all staff to work remotely until further notice, in response to the rapidly evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rest assured, we are still accepting donations, but encourage you to donate online to avoid any delays with receiving your tax receipt. For any questions or concerns, we can be reached at gifts@nikkeiplacefoundation.org or 604.777.2122.

Thank you to our recent donors!

Gifts listed from April 26 - May 20, 2021 inclusive

We apologize for any errors or omissions on this list. If your name has not been included, and you think it has been missed, please contact us and we will look into this right away.

DONATIONS

Anonymous (2)
Harjinder Bharaj
Iva Delic
Jay Haraga
Soya Kayo
Rupert Lee
Linda Li
Imogene Lim
Nora & Ronald MacArthur
Hideko Onouye
Michael Saito
Tracey Tabata
Jenny Uechi
Yasuhiko Yamamoto
Kenichiro Yamanaka

LEAFS

Visionary
Jane Nimi

Ambassador
Sam Yamamoto
Ken & Junko Shinozaki

Builder
Dr. Patrick & Diane Miki

Platinum
Fred & Linda Yada

Bronze
Naoto Horita Inc.

Gold
Anonymous

Burgundy
Anonymous

Copper
George & Elaine Homma

Red
Bob & Katsi Abe
Anonymous
Combined Painting (1985) Ltd.
Kelvin & Kay Higo
Robert & Cathey K. Hoogerbrug
George Koyanagi
Kumi Sutcliffe
Layne Yoshimaru

Orange
Anonymous (2)
Thomas Hara
Yuki Kurozumi
Edward & Jennifer Nakamoto
Joyce & Ray Shimokura
Peter & Masako Stillwell
Toshiko Tabata
Robert Yoshimaru

Green
Toshie Hosonuma
Asako Kitamura-Redman
Sue Miyanishi
Margaret Shinozaki
Keiko Yakumo

INSPIRE ACTION CAMPAIGN

Bob & Katsi Abe
Anonymous (7)
Harjinder Bharaj
Combined Painting (1985) Ltd.
Thomas Hara
Jay Haraga
Kelvin & Kay Higo
George & Elaine Homma
Robert & Cathey K. Hoogerbrug
Toshie Hosonuma
Gloria Joe
Paul & Diana Kariya
Soya Kayo
Asako Kitamura-Redman
George Koyanagi
Yuki Kurozumi
Julie Lee
Rupert Lee
Imogene Lim
Nora & Ronald MacArthur
Sue Miyanishi
Masashi & Reiko Moizumi
Edward & Jennifer Nakamoto
Dr. Patrick & Diane Miki
Naoto Horita Inc.
Jane Nimi
Ken & Junko Shinozaki
Margaret Shinozaki
Kumi Sutcliffe
Michael Takahashi
Jenny Uechi
Fred & Linda Yada
Emily Yakashiro & Philip Storey
Keiko Yakumo
Yasuhiko Yamamoto
Sam Yamamoto
Kenichiro Yamanaka
Layne Yoshimaru
Robert Yoshimaru

HONOURS & TRIBUTES

In Honour of Ruth Coles, Boss, Mentor, Friend and the social workers with whom I have had the privilege to serve
Anonymous

In Memory of Mark Ando
Masashi & Reiko Moizumi

In Memory of Fumi Hamagami
Gloria Joe

In Memory of Mitsuo Hayashi
Urasenke Tankokai Vancouver Association

In Memory of Kanako & Takeo Kariya
Paul & Diana Kariya

In Memory of Shiori Koyanagi
Kazuko Shimozawa

In Memory of Miyoko Frances Miyashita
Dorothy Yamamoto

In Memory of George Ogawa
Ronald Okada & Carol Nishi

In Memory of George Oshiro
Emily Yakashiro & Philip Storey

In Memory of Rosie Yoshiko Otani
John & Carol-Anne Kamitakahara
Patsy Mayede

In Memory of Faye Taeko Takahashi
Michael Takahashi

In Memory of Jujiro Takeuchi (Jusan Tenning)
Amy Rosalie Newstead (nee Tenning), Lorie, Deborah & Douglas Newstead

In Memory of Lin Hee Yoon
Julie Lee

MONTHLY GIVING CLUB

Anonymous (3)
Carina Abe
Ian & Debbie Burgess
Brian & Marcia Carr
Patricia H. Chan
Michael & Ruth Coles
Grant Dustin
Masami Hanashiro
Junichi & Atsumi Hashimoto
Tad & Mitsuko Hosoi
Shaun Inouye
Kenneth & Bernadine Isomura
Mary F. Kawamoto
Satoko Kobayashi
Katsuko (Kitty) Kodama
Greciana Langamon
Tommy Li
Stewart Kawaguchi
Ted Kawamoto
Catherine Makihara
Masako & Ken Moriyama
Anne Motozono

Roberta H. Nasu
Takeshi & Mizuho Ogasawara
Chris Oikawa
Hanako Oye
Linda Kawamoto Reid
Jim & Norma Sawada
Audrey Shimozawa
Eva Shiho
Barbara Shishido
Charlotte Takasaki
Sharlene A. Tabata
Joyce C. Takeshita
Darlene Tanaka & Trevor Jones
Grace Tanaka
Ginzo & Harue Udagawa
Hisako Wada
Fred & Linda Yada
Chris, Jan Yamamoto & Family
Norine K. Yamamoto
Sam Yamamoto
Tatsuo & Mariko Yamamoto
Gwendolyn Yip & Santa Ono

HERITAGE ESTATE GIVING CIRCLE

We thank and honour the legacy gifts made by our supporters following their passing:

Tamiko Corbett
Estate of Mitsuo Hayashi
Estate of Nancy Machiko Cameron

Yoshiharu Hashimoto
George & Elaine Homma
Betty Issenman
Sato Kobayashi
Cathy Makihara
Robert & Jane Nimi
Carrie Okano
Linda Kawamoto Reid
Richard & Gail Shinde
Norman Shuto
Haruko Takamori
Sian Tasaka
Fred & Linda Yada
Sam Yamamoto

Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-15 Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-15

Spotlight on Marcia Carr: Nursing career, the pandemic’s effect on seniors, and more

We recently caught up with Marcia Carr (nee Hirano), an accomplished healthcare professional of nursing, and board member, donor, and friend of Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society. In this article, we talk with her about her career, the pandemic’s effect on seniors, and her own experiences with having a family member in the Nimi Nikkei Home assisted living residence.

Donor Spotlight

We recently caught up with Marcia Carr (nee Hirano), an accomplished healthcare professional of nursing, and board member, donor, and friend of Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society. In this article, we talk with her about her career, the pandemic’s effect on seniors, and her own experiences with having a family member in the Nimi Nikkei Home assisted living residence.

Marcia has built an extensive and accomplished career in healthcare and also serves in teaching capacities at universities and on the boards of various nursing organizations.

She has been a registered nurse for 53 years, as well as a clinical nurse specialist in geriatric medicine, geriatric psychiatry and nurse continence advisor. She is also an adjunct professor at UBC School of Nursing, University of Victoria School of Nursing, SFU Gerontology Research, and guest professor at Fujian Medical University School of Nursing, and former clinical assistant at McMaster University School of Nursing.

For over 20 years, Marcia has been a board member of Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society, and has also volunteered her specialities in nursing to do both staff and public education sessions to improve the care and lives of our older adults. She is also active in other organizations as:

An elected member at large for The RN Council for Nurse and Nurse Practitioners of BC
Board member of the Canadian Nurses Association Nursing Advisory Committee for Network of Speciality Nurses
Secretary for Canadian Nurse Continence Advisors
Soon to be president of the Clinical Nurse Specialists Association of BC

Marcia’s nursing career has spanned “womb to tomb”, having started out in obstetrics and transitioning to older adult care.

“Older adult care (geriatrics) is the most challenging and underserviced population that I have been privileged to work with. The complexity intertwining the normal aging process with chronic and acute illnesses challenges my brain power every single day.” says Marcia. “The beauty is that the wisdom that I gain from every older adult I interact and care for adds so much richness to me both personally and professionally!”

What has the pandemic highlighted about the needs seniors?

“What strikes me so poignantly is the lack of respect allotted to older adults about being able to say and be listened to about what they want in life and living rather than being paternalistically ‘cared’ for. ‘Don’t do to me without asking whether I agree or even want to’ should have been a choice rather than what happened. Isolation and loneliness increased the morbidity and mortality of so many older adults, it breaks my heart to think of the unmeasurable irreversible damage done to the quality of their lives.” says Marcia.

A glimpse of Marcia’s personal and family’s experience with Nikkei Home (both before and during the pandemic).

Marcia’s mother is 101 and a current resident of Nimi Nikkei Home assisted living residence. She came to live at Nikkei several years after it opened. It was her choice to move, following a major health issue that affected her ability to drive and participate in community activities.

“We feel so blessed and appreciative of the care and caring that is at the heart of Nikkei. Within a few months of lockdown at Nikkei, I knew she was failing rapidly. Thank goodness with her family doctor and geriatrician’s support, I was able to be designated to be an essential visitor. She bounced back to life again. The amazing staff know her well and are always encouraging her to keep on going. Despite 3 more steps backwards, her resilience well learned from the internment and life in general has quite remarkably been her mainstay for recovery.”

What makes Nikkei Home different from other care facilities?

“Nikkei Home is a stellar example of what and how a Assisted Living facility should be. We are so fortunate to have dedicated and long term staff who understand and practice Nikkei Home’ philosophy. We additionally have 24/7 LPNs and care aides whereas many other only have LPNs on days 5 days a week. Having Hi-Genki part of the whole facility enables residents to see and interact beyond the walls of the building as they hear and see children and families enjoying life and food.”

What are your hopes for Nikkei Home in the short or long term?

“Sustainability of not just the building and amenities but also the enabling technology and supports for our residents remains an ongoing financial challenge. Nikkei administration has made each dollar stretch 10’s farther than any organization that I know of. However, I hope that our community at large steps up to help when needed. Right now we have a campaign going on to replace the original spa tub for residents as well as trying to provide technological enablement for all residents (e.g. building wide WIFI access). These are necessities not luxuries to support and care for Nikkei residents. My ultimate hope is that Nikkei Home will be there for all of us when we are ready for rewarding step in life’s journey.”

Learn more about our INSPIRE ACTION fundraising drive and how your support could make a difference for seniors at Nikkei Place, and bring virtual outreach programming to hundreds of seniors.

Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-11 Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-11

Eiko Eby to lead Japanese Canadian Survivors Health and Wellness Fund

Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Eiko Eby as the Project Manager for the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health and Wellness Fund.

Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Eiko Eby as the Project Manager for the Japanese Canadian Survivors Health and Wellness Fund. Eiko will be working directly for Nikkei Seniors and will lead the Project working in tandem with Cathy Makihara and Ruth Coles.

Eiko Eby is a yonsei (4th generation) whose parents were both directly impacted by the government actions which forcibly uprooted, dispossessed, and displaced the lives of almost 22,000 Japanese Canadians living in BC. She honours the memory of her parents, grandparents and great grandparents, in her extensive community work. Eiko feels the approach to healing can be made through the lens of wellness.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Eiko was on the Board of the Central Vancouver Island Japanese Canadian Cultural Society from 1987 until 2021, serving as President for the past 19 years before passing the torch to another great volunteer. She has worked on numerous committees for the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC), and considers her experience learning from Art Miki on the core team of the Community Renewal Fund as a moment when she discovered the importance of national outreach. A member of the National Executive Board of the NAJC for four years 2016-2020, as Director then Secretary, she holds her contribution to the groundwork for the first talks on BC Redress, as closest to her heart. Eiko also served the full 6 year term as a member of the Community Council of the University of Victoria-led Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective.

Health and wellness is a foundation of Eiko’s career practice as a Professor of Kinesiology at Vancouver Island University, from where she is set to retire. In 2018, Eiko received the Vancouver Island University President’s Award for Outstanding Community Engagement.

Eiko was a member of the Canadian National Women’s Over 55 Field Hockey Team that competed in the World Cup in 2018. A devout wife, mother and sister to her four siblings, Eiko is reliable in her relationships and true to her commitment to the community.

Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-05 Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-05

Province takes step to acknowledge historical wrongs against Japanese-Canadians

The Province is providing the Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society with $2 million as part of its commitment to honour the traumatic internment of almost 22,000 Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War.

Download the Press Release

“This government acknowledges the role that it played in the historical wrongs committed against the Japanese-Canadians community during the 1940s,” said Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives. “This initial grant is a first step towards lasting recognition of the trauma suffered by the community. We are committed to working with the National Association of Japanese Canadians over the coming year to define recognition opportunities in 2022 and beyond.”

Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society will use the $2 million to develop and deliver health and wellness-oriented programming for Japanese-Canadian internment survivors. The society will also administer funding with the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) to other Japanese-Canadian organizations that support survivors.

“The terrible loss suffered by thousands of Japanese-Canadians in the 1940s is still impacting the community today, with many experiencing lasting health issues and trauma,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “This funding will provide much-needed health and wellness supports to internment survivors, helping them to connect with others in their community, to stay healthy and remain independent over the coming years.”

The funding will help these centres to enhance their programming for seniors in assisted and independent living, as well as the local community. This will include supports for those with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, community talks about current issues and concerns, and exercise classes to help seniors stay fit and healthy.

“Trauma affects generations, and we have seen this time and time again,” said Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care. “That’s why today is so important – we must recognize the steps needed for the healing and recognition journey for Japanese-Canadians, who are now seniors, and ensure we fulfil our promise to the survivors of these historical wrongs.”

The grant is a first step towards fulfilling a mandate commitment of the Ministry of Attorney General to honour the Japanese-Canadian community by providing lasting recognition of the traumatic internment of Japanese -Canadians during World War II. This grant responds to recommendations from NAJC for targeted funding for health and social care programs for Japanese-Canadian survivors.

Lorene Oikawa, President, National Association of Japanese Canadians –
“In our work to preserve and share the history of Japanese Canadians and prevent injustices now and in the future, we also remember our Japanese Canadian survivors who are living today and they deserve the respect and supports they were once denied.”

Susanne Tabata, BC Redress Project Director, National Association of Japanese Canadians –
“Building on this grant, the NAJC will continue to work with our community partners towards more health & wellness supports for our seniors, expanding on a framework to include a focus on intergenerational trauma, along with dementia care, community care, an on-line digital wellness hub, all through the prism of a pandemic.”

Ruth Coles, President, Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society –
“These seniors have unique needs that stem from their lived experience of internment, forced uprooting, dispossession and displacement, causing many survivors to rebuild their lives outside of British Columbia. These actions led to challenges that have followed through life - their education was disrupted, friendship and trust taken away, and for much economic hardship, there are health issues, shame, and lack of resolution from these actions.”

Mary Kitagawa, Elder –
“The elderly survivors who are living now were children who now must carry on the pain of that cruel journey that our parents and grandparents suffered.”

Cathy Makihara, past Executive Director, Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society – “To ensure the fund meets priority needs, this will be a community-based participatory grant, where the local community identifies the priorities.”

Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-03 Lindsay Hoy 2021-05-03

Seniors Health and Wellness Announcement

Livestreaming
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 11am PDT
This announcement will focus on seniors health and wellness for the Japanese Canadian community.

Join the BC Ministry of Attorney General Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism, Rachna Singh, for a special announcement, accompanied by a Welcome from Bernie Skundaal Williams, a statement from elder Mary Kitagawa and a program description from Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society’s Ruth Coles and Cathy Makihara. This announcement will focus on seniors health and wellness for the Japanese Canadian community.

The announcement and event will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/hJcunqij9g0 on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 beginning at 11am PDT.

Provincial Government Invitation_May 5, 2021.jpg

Lindsay Hoy 2021-04-28 Lindsay Hoy 2021-04-28

Monthly Donations Update (March 29 - April 25, 2021)

The Foundation acknowledges gifts we receive for Nikkei Place. Thank you to our recent donors from March 29 - April 25, 2021 inclusive!

Important Notice:

Thank you to our recent donors!

Gifts listed from March 29 - April 25, 2021 inclusive

We apologize for any errors or omissions on this list. If your name has not been included, and you think it has been missed, please contact us and we will look into this right away.