JMSA Celebrates 12/12/12

On December 12, 2012, JMSA held its Holiday Reception at the Columbus Citizens Foundation. Over 100 members and guests of JMSA attended the event. The main focus of the holiday reception was to honor the recipients of the JMSA Community Outreach Program (JCOP) grants, which totaled $20,000 this year. 2012 marks the 6th year that JMSA has awarded community groups with these grants. JMSA is the only organization that offers such grants to grassroots Japanese community organizations. The goal is to support organizations that offer vital medical, psychological and social support to the Japanese community. The JCOP grants are made possible each year by generous donations from corporations and individuals that support JMSA and JCOP. 

Dr. Makoto Iwahara gave the opening remarks as JMSA's president followed by a speech from Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki from the Consulate General of Japan in New York. Dr. Robert Yanagisawa, vice president of JMSA, presented a slide show re: JMSA Japan Relief Program and presented the mission of bringing the 9.11 Family Association members to Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi. The mission was supported by American Airlines, the Consulate General of Japan, the Rotary Club and the US-Japan Foundation. It was incredibly well received as the group was met with officials, business leaders, mental health providers, schoolchildren, teachers and senior citizens, many still displaced due to the tsunami and radiation aftermath. Members of Peace Boat Japan and Sendai Rotary joined the reception in recognition of JMSA's efforts.

Maki Kano, the chairperson of JCOP and vice president of JMSA, concluded the evening’s program with the presentation of the 2012 JCOP awards.

Listing of the 2012 JCOP Recipients:

Apple Time

Bcnetwork

Brooklyn Japanese American Family Association (BJAFA)

Hamilton-Madison House, Japanese Clinic

The Japan Education Center

JASSI

Japanese Bostonians Support Line (JB Line, Inc.)

Mimosa No Kai

NEST

Nordoff-Robbins Japanese American Communication Network (NR-JACNet)

NY de Volunteer, Inc.

NY Sukusukukai

Origami Therapy Association (OTA)