jcccnc / programs / youth development / nikkei youth cultrual heritage & nyss

Program Background

The JCCCNC’s relationship with the Kobe YMCA began in 1995 as a result of the Great Hanshin earthquake that destroyed much of Kobe.  The 20 second quake that shook Hyogo Prefecture on January 17, 1995 resulted in the loss of 6,433 lives, 415,000 injuries and over 300,000 people who were left homeless from the homes that were completely or partially destroyed.

JCCCNC’s relief effort started immediately with the establishment of the Kobe/Osaka Earthquake Relief Fund as a grassroots effort for the community to express their support to the quake victims.  The JCCCNC handled thousands of contributions including monetary donations, medial supplies, blankets, clothing and toys for children.  These contributions came from businesses and individuals across the nation.

What made the JCCCNC-sponsored Fund so unique was that 100% of every dollar contributed was sent directly to help the people of Kobe and Osaka.  The Kobe YMCA was instrumental in dispersing these goods to those that needed it the most.  The Kobe YMCA will never forget the generosity and support of the JCCCNC and has continued to work cooperatively on international exchange programs like the Nikkei Youth Cultural Heritage Program and the Shinzen USA Goodwill Program which bring the people of Northern California together with those in the Kobe area.

Working with the Kobe YMCA and the JCCCNC, Ali Kagawa, a recent graduate of the Univeristy of Hawaii, participated in the 2007 Summer Language Program and had a "memorable experience," gaining both knowledge of the Japanese language and gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of her Japanese cuture, heritage and history.  Ali learned more about her Japanese culture through language but felt that the homestay experience was invaluable and “unique” because she felt she “had the opportunity to live with a family – not stay, but live.  I felt like an actual member of the family.”

About the Kobe YMCA Japanese Language School:

The Kobe YMCA Japanese Language School was established in 1872.  Its goal is to develop strength, knowledge and understanding of the totality of the Japanese language in reading, writing, listening and speaking.  Its curriculum covers a broad range of levels that focuses on personal one-on-one attention that suits every individual’s learning style.  It has small class sizes, with courses lasting as short as one month to two years.

back to top

NYSS Program Background

In the year 2002, the JCCCNC established the Nikkei Youth Sports Scholarship (NYSS) Program to help recognize the important contributions of the Japanese American youth athletic leagues to our community, and to help engage students in other community building and leadership development activities beyond sports.

These youth are selected based on their community involvement, leadership development, personal qualities and strengths, and financial need. All the recipients have been active in the Japanese American community - serving organizations and have demonstrated the leadership qualities necessary to become the next generation of Nikkei leaders.

For more information on Nikkei Youth Sports Scholarship, please contact Ken Maeshiro at the JCCCNC at 415-567-5505 x239 or kmaeshiro.

back to top

2007 NYSS Recipients

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities/Asian Students Increasing Achievement (RMHC/ASIA) awarded two graduating high school students the Nikkei Youth Sports Scholarship (NYSS). This scholarship is an avenue whereby the JCCCNC can help develop future leaders of our community by providing financial aid for graduating high school senior students who will be attending a university. Scholarship recipients were selected based on their community involvement, leadership development, personal qualities and strengths, and financial need. The two recipients of the 2007 Nikkei Youth Sports Scholarship Award are as follows:

Kerry Hisaye Inokuchi

Kerry Hisaye Inokuchi is currently attending Burlingame High School with a GPA of 3.80. In the Fall, she will be attending the University of California at San Diego seeking a degree in business or communications. Kerry is actively involved in her high school's band and Student Impact Team (a student leadership group which addresses topics such as sexual harassment and transition from 8th grade to high school). Other activities include San Mateo JYO basketball, traditional Japanese dance with the San Mateo Buddhist Temple, Gold Award recipient with the Girl Scouts and historian, publicist and acting secretary for Young Buddhists of America.

Kerry is grateful for her experience in the Japanese American community and hopes to give back to it some day. "The Japanese American community is part of my identity and has helped me better understand my heritage. In the future, I want to study in the field of business, more specifically towards the direction of communications. My hope is to use these skills to increase society's awareness of the Japanese American community and its contributions." Kerry is the daughter of Mr. Jeffrey and Ms. Leslie Inokuchi of Burlingame.

 

Hillary Emiko Nakano

Hillary Emiko Nakano is currently attending Bishop O'Dowd High School with a GPA of 3.9, which includes Advanced Placement classes. She plans to pursue a degree in Asian American Studies at University of California at Santa Barbara followed by law school. Hilary is active in school athletics as a member of basketball and soccer team. Outside of school, she is a member of a Class I soccer team and Berkeley Sangha Temple's basketball team. Other activities include heading an outreach program through Asian Community Mental Health, and volunteering at JCCCNC events such as the Halloween Carnival, CCLPEP "Notice to All" conference and most recently the JCCCNC's 2006 "Love Letters" event.

Hillary possesses a strong sense of community and has aspirations of being one of its future leaders. "Through the J.A. league and especially through Shinzen, I have learned a lot of my heritage. The main thing keeping the J.A. spirit alive is community...I hope eventually to become a prominent lawyer for the J.A. community. Keeping the J.A. society flourishing is very important to me, and without the help of the Asian league, I would have never been introduced to my future." Hillary is the daughter of Mr. Gerry Nakano and Ms. Dianne Fukami of Oakland.

back to top