News from JASC

Thank you to those who attended our Open House meeting on Monday, June 24th. If you missed it, you can review highlights of the 2023-2024 fiscal year on our website.

We are so grateful to our JASC community for your support and helping us achieve our goals!

Join JASC for a kids summer cooking class celebrating Tanabata (The Star Festival)! Taught by Yuri Yamanaka, Donguri Kai Instructor, and Kana Palumbo, Manager of Ichi by Torino-Wilmette, students will learn to prepare delicious festival-inspired dishes and discover the story and culture of Tanabata.

Class will be held at Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 7th from 4:00-6:30 pm. Spots are limited so sign up today!

Have you participated in JASC Children's Programs recently (Tampopo Kai, Donguri Kai, or Day Camp)? If so, we want to hear your feedback! Take our short survey below to help us improve our programs.

Are you interested in learning the Japanese language? Join the Beginner I & II classes beginning on July 8-9. Beginner I Class is online (Zoom) on Mondays from 6:30 – 8 pm. Beginner II Class is online (Zoom) on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8 pm. All language classes are online via Zoom until we move into the new building.

There will be no class on July 29, July 30, or September 2nd.

Kay Kawaguchi can help determine which level is best suitedfor you. Reach her at the JASC office, (773) 275-0097, ext. 226, or by email classes@jasc-chicago.org. JASC Language Classes can be joined at any time. Take a trial class at no cost. For full schedules and details click here.

July Japanese Conversation Table – Thursday, July 11, 2024

7月の日本語お話会は7月11日（木）です

開催日：7月11日（普通毎月第２木曜日）

開催時間：午後1:30から3:00まで

参加費：１人/１回5ドル

日本語で交流したい方へのお知らせです。（日本語の会話クラスではありません。）

普段あまりほかの方との交流のない方、一人でお住まいの方、思いっきり日本語でおしゃべりしてみませんか？

楽しい話題や暮らしのアイデアを分け合い、ちょっとした悩みや不安など、皆で話し合えば解決法がでてくるかも知れません。いろいろなことを日本語で話し合い、英語社会で溜まったストレスを解消しましょう。

このプログラムに興味のある方、参加したいと思われる方は、Eメールで川口ケイclasses@jasc-chicago.org　または電話：773-275-0097内線226, までご連絡ください。

Do you know a native Japanese speaker who would like to connect and socialize with other native Japanese speakers? Please note this is not a Japanese language class but rather a time for fellowship while speaking in fluent Japanese.

Date: Monthly, second Thursday, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Cost: $5 per person, per session

NEW Location: Ravenswood Fellowship UMC, 4511 N Hermitage Ave

JASC's Conversation Table welcomes everyone to share their experiences, ideas, and stories through social interaction and offers an opportunity to expand their social networks with others in the local community.

If you know someone who would like to participate, please contact Kay Kawaguchi by email at classes@jasc-chicago.org or call her at 773-275-0097 x 226 and leave a message to RSVP. Kay can answer any questions about the program in Japanese or in English.

JASC is currently seeking instructors for Level 4 (Advanced) classes in our Donguri Kai Japanese language program, targeting elementary, middle, and high school students. During the 2024-2025 academic year, instructors will be responsible for conducting online classes once a week, each session lasting 60 minutes. For more information, go to our website and send inquiries to jascinfo@jasc-chicago.org.

The 2024 Summer session registration is open for Level 1 Online class for Retuning Students and new beginners in grades 3 – 6. Class is in English and includes speaking and learning the alphabet. The class will meet on Tuesdays for 45 minutes starting at 5:30 pm.

Click on image to visit the program’s webpage for more details.

The Board of Directors of the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) has opened a search for the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Later this year, JASC will be fulfilling its long-time dream of moving into a newly renovated building that will create a destination center for the community. JASC’s new home will be in the West Ridge neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois at 5700 N. Lincoln Avenue.

JASC is seeking a talented executive leader capable of positioning the organization for the future by setting the vision, strategy, and plans; then, engaging people to act and participate. This individual will become a key leader in the community at large, and work with staff, board, funders, and stakeholders across academia, government, private sector, the arts, and other community organizations. To apply or learn more, visit our website: https://jasc-chicago.org/about-us/opportunities/

Until our new building is ready, please note the following updates:

Our 4427 N. Clark St. office will be closed to the public. JASC staff will be working remotely. To reach us, you can email jascinfo@jasc-chicago.org.
Our mail will be forwarded to a P.O. Box 25380, Chicago, IL 60625
For questions about mailing checks & donations, please reach out to development@jasc-chicago.org

For updates on Programming, Adult Day Services, & Legacy Center, please go to our website.

Thank you for your patience and understanding! For any moving questions, please contact operations@jasc-chicago.org.

Click Here For Our Events Calendar

Kansha Project Culmination 2024

Saturday, June 29th 3-5:30PM

Midwest Buddhist Temple

435 West Menomonee Street Chicago, IL 60614

RSVP Here: https://bit.ly/2024kanshaculmination

Over the past eleven years, the Kansha Project has grown from a mere idea into a flagship program of JACL Chicago, sending over 100 alumni across ten cohorts to Little Tokyo, Los Angeles and Manzanar National Historic Site.

The Kansha Project is a transformative program that provides young Japanese Americans the opportunity to learn about our community’s history, develop unique insights about our community’s legacy, and allows participants to explore their identity with other Japanese American young adults. In addition, the Kansha Project provides an entry point for community engagement and a pathway for youth leadership that is vital to the future of the Japanese American community at large.

After a brief pause due to the pandemic, the Kansha Project took two cohorts of ten participants in 2022 and restarted the ALB with nine members. This year, the trip will take place from June 6-9 and celebrate the 2024 Kansha Project cohort with Culmination in Chicago on Saturday, June 29.

Conal Abatangelo
Emiko Akiyama Tahara
Sai Clayton
Mia Combs
Amy Do
Mariko Dowling
Yukiko Nakano
Sophia Saito
Gabriela Senno
Kei Smith
Haruka Yukioka

We invite you to join us at Culmination to celebrate this year’s Kansha Project with the Kansha Alumni Leadership Board (ALB) and the 2024 program participants!

Participants will share reflections of their experience of their trip to Little Tokyo, LA and Manzanar Historic Site and present their unique projects summarizing their experience to the community.

We hope you'll join us for this celebration of community, youth leadership, and legacy.

Questions? Contact JACL Program Director, Rebecca Ozaki at kansha@jaclchicago.org.

Learn more at https://jaclchicago.org/programs/kansha-project/

RSVP Here: https://bit.ly/2024kanshaculmination

Night Out in the Parks

AIRMW is excited for yet another summer full of performances and music at the great parks of Chicago!

Night Out in the Parks activates parks across the city with robust cultural events – bringing neighbors together to laugh, dance, sing, and engage. The Chicago Park District, in partnership with 100 local artists and organizations, presents engaging events and performances to amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy of our city in every neighborhood and enhance the quality of life across Chicago. Learn more: About Night Out in the Parks.

NOITP Dates:

7/12 Sauganash Park 6:00PM - 7:00PM

5861 N. Kostner Ave. Chicago, IL 60646

7/26 NPV 6:00PM - 7:00PM

5801 N. Pulaski Rd. Chicago, IL 60646

7/30 Roberts Square Park 6:00PM - 7:00PM

5230 W. Argyle St. Chicago, IL 60630

8/2 Brighton Park Community Campus (Park No. 596) 6:30PM-7:30PM

4830 S. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60609

8/7 Rosedale Park 6:00PM - 7:00PM

6312 W. Rosedale Ave. Chicago, IL 60646