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Little
Tokyo Service Center News - October 2011 |
| An Office With a Great View by Bill Watanabe |
Dream Voyage
When I was a kid, Columbus was honored as a great explorer who "discovered America" and he even had his own state and national holiday! Over the years, the myth and luster of Columbus' reputation began to tarnish - after all - how could he have discovered America when he was greeted by people upon his landing? And, if you look further into the life of Columbus, you also see a terrible record by Columbus of mistreatment of the natives and the ultimate near-total decimation of their numbers.
 But even with all this, one has to credit the man for making a voyage based on vision and faith. He ventured into uncharted waters at great risk, with the dream of finding "the other side of the ocean". Most of us would not venture forth unless we knew where we would arrive - but Columbus kept sailing on, fighting the elements and his own crew's fears and lack of conviction, in order to pursue the dream of finding the "new world".
You may or may not celebrate Columbus Day on October 12th, but if you should pause to remember his courageous voyage, remember too the words of the great poet Maya Angelou, "It may take years to realize a dream, but dreaming itself is an elevating experience." |
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| Walk to End Homelessness: November 19, 2011 Exposition Park |
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HomeWalk is United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ annual 5K Run/Walk to End Homelessness. In Los Angeles County 51,000 people are homeless. All money raised through HomeWalk is distributed back into the community to help quickly re-house homeless families and provide permanent supportive housing to our most vulnerable, chronically homeless individuals and veterans. Over the past 4 years, HomeWalk has mobilized 18,000 walkers, raised $1.7 million and funded organizations that have moved 9,000 people into permanent housing.
To join LTSC’s HomeWalk Team or to make a donation please click here. |
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| Did You Know? |
 The Irish used to carve turnips and put coals or small candles inside to ward off evil spirits on All Hallows Eve. When Irish immigrants came to America, they began using pumpkins which were much more prevalent and easier to carve. The name Jack-o'-Lantern is derived from the phenomenon of strange light flickering over peat bogs called ignis fatuus.
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| How Your Support Makes a Difference |
| Alice lives in JCI Gardens in Torrance, an affordable housing building for seniors. LTSC is the service coordinator for all the residents living there. If a resident needs assistance from a social worker all he or she has to do is go downstairs to the lobby. Being on-site also allows our social workers to step in right away and prevent potential problems. Alice falls into this category. Alice is 94 years old living on her own at JCI Gardens. Once a year HUD conducts inspections of the apartments. Alice did not pass the inspection because she had left items on her floor that impeded a walkway in her apartment. Her arthritis made it difficult for her to clean, shop and otherwise take care of her apartment. Because failing inspection could eventually lead to eviction, the apartment manager told Alice to go down to the lobby and see LTSC’s social worker. LTSC knew right away what Alice needed. We helped her fill out the In-Home Supportive Services application and then interviewed potential caregivers. Alice now has Teresa who comes two times a week to help her clean, cook and shop. This little extra help is all Alice needed to keep living independently in her home. “Life is easy now that I have Teresa” Alice says, “I am glad LTSC is just downstairs for us.” |
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| National Trust for HIstoric Preservation helps Preserve the Far East Building |
 LTSC was awarded a $7,500 grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from its Los Angeles County Preservation Fund to make needed repairs at the Far East Building.
LTSC restored the 1896 Far East Building, one of the most significant buildings in the Little Tokyo National Historic District, after it suffered severe damage in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Like all historic buildings, the Far East needs occasional repair. LTSC will use The Los Angeles County Preservation Fund grant to re-point and repair a few of the brick walls to prevent further damage. The Far East Building provides 14 studio and two one-bedroom affordable housing units above the Far East Café and DISKovery computer learning center, which offers affordable technology education and computer access.
LTSC thanks the National Trust for Historic Preservation and its Los Angeles County Preservation Fund for helping LTSC preserve the Far East Building. |
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| September Donors – Thank You for Your Support! |
Anonymous
Dean Higashiyama
Tomiye Hirashima
IBM Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign
Mark Kawauchi
Yueh Po Kuan
Nahomi Maeda
David Nagano
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Paul & Florence Nagano
Tsutomu Natsuhara
Michiyo Okano
Yoshiko Sakamoto
Frank & Mabel Takenaka
Toshiko Yamamoto
Christine Yamashita
Sally Yamashita |
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| Donate Your Old Car |
Thinking about donating your car to LTSC? Do it now and maximize your donation. Used car prices are up 30% from December 2008. (Click here to see the ABC news story about it) Higher prices mean a bigger donation to LTSC and a bigger tax deduction for you. Don’t delay donate today!
We will pick up cars in almost any condition in LA and Orange Counties. Proceeds are tax deductible for the donor and can be significant even if the car is old or not running! The call takes less than 5 minutes and contributes to helping our many clients. Call (213) 473-1613 to donate. |
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| Ways to Help LTSC |
In making a donation to LTSC, you can:
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• Make a donation in memory of a loved one
• Make a donation in honor of someone’s birthday or graduation
• Make a stock donation
• Host a fundraiser to benefit LTSC |
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Donate Online, over the phone or via traditional mail.
Call (213) 473-1613 |
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