JCCC OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR OUR FRAIL AND/OR ISOLATED JC SURVIVOR MEMBERS.

The JCCC exists due to the vision, tenacity, courage, and financial support of many JC Survivors. Thus, it is very fitting that this project continues to support JC Survivors who are current and/or past members of the JCCC and due to health and/or location are no longer able to attend events at the JCCC and find themselves lonely (the feeling of being alone, regardless of social contact) and isolated (lacking meaningful relationships, mutually rewarding interactions and personal connections) from the JCCC community.

The JCCC understands the importance of community and volunteerism, two critical elements that have guided and sustained the centre. Many of our elders contributed to the JCCC as volunteers throughout their lifetime enjoying the activities offered and becoming integral members of the JCCC community. Now as years have passed, some of our members are no longer in a physical or mental state to attend events in person, thus it is critically important for the JCCC to ensure they can continue to connect with the JCCC community through a variety of means (virtual and in person) and know they are not forgotten.

Supported by research, we understand how food not only sustains us but has the intrinsic value of nurturing the soul when it reflects our culture and history. Reminiscing and story telling can be prompted by food and having the opportunity to talk with another person further encourages this. We also know that in a relaxed social setting seniors will eat more.

In an urban setting like Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the term isolation may look different from some communities in rural settings. JC Survivors may be living on their own within an urban community or have a caregiver looking after their basic needs, but still feel isolated and lonely. And in this time of COVID-19, isolation and loneliness is especially exacerbated when there is an inability to use technology for connecting to community, friends, and family.
The full scope of the project is outlined in this next section. It could include, but is not exclusive to the following components:

Target Group:
1. JC Survivors who are both current and past JCCC members who we would consider isolated, lonely, and/or frail and who have been contacted to ensure they agree to participate in the program.

Program Components:
2. JCCC will organize a team of volunteers who will visit an individual once a month. Each team will consist of a person who knows or is familiar with the specific JC Survivor(s) assigned to them and a high school or university student with technical skills and an interest in Japanese Canadian history. An orientation program to introduce the program, the role and responsibilities of the volunteers, and how technology will be used to enhance the program, will be developed for the team.
The team will:

a. Visit with the JC Survivor once a month, bringing them a specially prepared Japanese bento meal.
b. Spend time with them while they have their meal, socializing with them and giving them the opportunity to share some of their stories.
c. At each visit a Zoom call will be organized to give the JC Survivor the opportunity to:

i. Connect with friends within the JC community (could be club groups, cultural class groups, volunteer associated groups, etc)
ii. Have special community Zoom calls with people who were in the same internment camp (or a group of their choosing if they were in more than one camp), Japanese Language School class, kenjin-kai, etc.
iii. Have a virtual communal meal with a small group of friends to keep it more intimate, manageable, and not overwhelming.
iv. Hear updates from JCCC staff on what is/will be happening at the JCCC to stay connected with the centre.

d. Using technology – either on-line or via dvd, or through hardcopy materials, JC Survivors can find out about JCCC activities and events by:

i. Watching specially produced live-streamed JCCC events that they are unable to attend in person.
ii. Talking about events and activities happening at the JCCC and having the opportunity to watch some of the previously recorded programs online or using DVDs produced by the JCCC.
iii. Obtaining copies of Japanese films loaned out through the JCCC library for future viewing.
iv. Receiving hardcopies of the JCCC newsletter, currently only available online.

3. Organize transportation to bring those who are able, to the JCCC for a special community event specifically designed for JC Survivors to give them the opportunity to re-connect and engage with friends, enjoy a meal, and enjoy some entertainment.

Based on the money available from this grant, the project proposes to focus on, but is not excusive to the following components:

Target Group:
1. JC Survivors who are both current and past JCCC members who we would consider isolated, lonely, and/or frail and who have been contacted to ensure they agree to participate in the program.

Program Components:
2. The JCCC will organize a team of volunteers who will visit an individual eight times over the course of the grant’s timeline, ending December 31,2022. Each team will consist of a person who knows or is familiar with the specific JC Survivor(s) assigned to them and a high school or university student with technical skills and an interest in Japanese Canadian history. An orientation program to introduce the program, the role and responsibilities of the volunteers, and how technology will be used to enhance the program, will be developed for the team.
The team will:

a. Visit with the JC Survivor once a month, bringing them a specially prepared Japanese bento meal.
b. Spend time with them while they have their meal, socializing with them and giving them the opportunity to share some of their stories.
c. Obtain copies of Japanese films loaned out through the JCCC library for future viewing.
d. At each visit a Zoom call will be organized to give the JC Survivor the opportunity to:

i. Connect with friends within the JC community (could be club groups, cultural class groups, volunteer associated groups, etc)
ii. Have special Zoom calls with people who were in the same internment camp (or a group of their choosing if they were in more than one camp)
iii. Have a virtual communal meal with a small group of friends to keep it more intimate, manageable, and not overwhelming.
iv. Hear updates from JCCC staff on what is/will be happening at the JCCC to stay connected with the centre.

• Listing ID: 1519
• Primary Applicant: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
• Event or Completion Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
• Approved Amount: $10,000
• Location: Toronto, ON