Message from our President
Welcome to the website of the Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. ("JAA").
It is my pleasure to greet you and wish you all a peaceful and Happy 2010. We begin this new decade with much to be concerned about, from troubling financial issues to armed conflicts around the world. Yet we are also filled with renewed hope that the world’s economies are on their way to recovery. There also seems to be a renewed commitment to solving the issues of climate change both globally and in the US. JAA’s commitment to serving our community remains as strong as ever, and we face the new year in a strong financial position, thanks especially to all of our generous donors and supporters. Of course, we owe the most to our dedicated core of volunteers, who, along with our Executive Director, Mrs. Noda, are the true heart and soul of JAA. We continue to work closely with our Japanese and American neighbors, including the Consulate General, JCCI, the Nippon Club, the Japan Society, JAMSNET, JASSI, JACL, JAJA and many other organizations. We had so many successful events at JAA over the past year, including Senior and Health weeks, which attracted over 1700 members of our community. We hope more of you join us and attend our events in the year to come.
JAA was founded 100 years ago to provide support to new Japanese arrivals in New York City. Over the years, our focus has shifted with the changing Japanese and Japanese American population, but our mission has remained the same – to serve the needs of our community. Today, the community is predominantly born in Japan. We provide a wide range of services that include Social Services programs (twice a month luncheons and lunch deliveries) , and free legal , tax, insurance and medical consultation, Apple Kids (workshops and events for newly arrived families with young children), scholarship awards for high school and college graduates, music scholarships, arts and cultural events, and the Committee on Aging Issues. We provide networking opportunities for young professionals and entrepreneurs and sponsor fun events such as the Foreign Minister Baseball League, the Annual Golf Tournament and year End Dinner.
We are also encourage your participation in Census 2010. You should be receiving a Census survey around March 15 of this year. Please take the time to complete it and return it to the Census Bureau. It should be completed whether you are a citizen, permanent citizen (green card holder) or here on some other visa. The results of the survey will have great significance for all of us as they will determine federal funding support for our community-so it is very very important for all of to make sure we are counted!
We at JAA would love to hear from you and welcome both your comments and participation. Please visit us on the 11th floor at 15 West 44th Street as well as our website, www.jaany.org & www.agingjaa.org .
We hope you will be inspired to participate and give your time and energy.
Japanese American Association of New York, Inc.
President Gary S. Moriwaki
Your support will allow JAA to continue its work on behalf of the Japanese community and to improve and expand its services.
We are a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation.
All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
