Summer 2015
Tayor i A
Volu me 3 9 • I s s ue 3
Ne w s l e t t e r
o f
Ni k k e i
C o nce r ns
O ne Com m u nit y | Transfor m i ng L iv e s | Ce le brating 40 Yea r s
Yesterday & today 40 years of Nikkei Concerns Life seems so different when we look back on the “old days.” But important things remain constant, like our values and beliefs, which motivated a community to create Nikkei Concerns. We look back on Nikkei Concerns’ first 40 years and realize that yesterday and today are not so far apart. From a hope and a dream — an idea scribbled on a napkin — Nikkei Concerns has grown and blossomed into a forward-thinking health & wellness organization.
Strong leadership + gre at courage = Nikkei Co ncerns, then & now Tosh Okam oto, Tomio Moriguchi, and Harry Kadoshima
Humble Beginnings
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Yesterday & Today 40 years of Nikkei Concerns
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Fun in the sun with NC Transportation
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Rehab Renovation
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NC in the community
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Events 8 Family Album
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Nikkei Horizons – Land of Souls Spring 2016
e! Shikoku, and mor u, sh yu K , a im sh Hiro ting, e orientation mee Sign up for the fre .m. – noon! 10/10/15,10 a
As the issei (first generation) aged, they encountered a world vastly different than that of their parents and experienced needs for the original Ribbon cutting ceremony that the traditional Seattle Keiro ways and mainstream nursing homes could not meet. Issei Concerns’ Our Founders, (our original name) founders, the Fabulous Seven the Fabulous Seven, Glenn Akai launched us into the world Harry Kadoshima of healthcare. Seattle Keiro, Sally Kazama was our first program to Henry Miyatake serve these elders’ unique needs. Keiro had space for Tomio Moriguchi only a few dozen residents, but Tosh Okamoto kind volunteers and staff related Fred Takayesu to and cared for them. The issei residents finally had peace of mind, and their quality of life improved because they could communicate in their native language, enjoy familiar food, and participate in meaningful cultural activities. Continued on page 4