We are pleased to announce our support of Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation (LTSC) in our first round of grants awarded this Fall, 2016. With our grant LTSC will make capital improvements to their Far East Lounge gathering place for seniors which receives over 2,500 visits a year and increase the number of educational workshops they offer.
The mission of Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation is to provide a comprehensive array of social welfare and community development services to assist low income and other persons in need, contribute to community revitalization and cultural preservation in Little Tokyo and among the broader Japanese community in the Southland, and to provide such resources to neighboring Asian Pacific Islander and other low-income communities.
LTSC serves the Japanese American population throughout Southern California and other low-income populations in Los Angeles. Their Senior Services program serves clients who live alone without a caregiver or family support. They address their physical and mental health needs so that they can continue living in their homes for as long as possible and provide support to family and other unpaid caregivers of frail elderly with respite care, housekeeping, and personal care and care management. In addition, LTSC conducts caregiver training workshops and facilitates three Alzheimer’s support groups.
Far East Lounge (FEL) is a ‘gathering place’ in Little Tokyo where seniors can congregate for social interaction and take part in programmed activities. The goal of FEL’s programs is to reduce social isolation, inactivity, depression, deprivation of cognitive stimuli and lack of social support, all which pose risks to the healthy and independent living of older persons. Programs at FEL address and prevent these issues through weekly physical, social and cultural activities. Activities include tai chi, yoga, sewing, journal writing, music, arts and crafts, ceramics and mahjong. Educational workshops are also provided on topics such as nutrition, depression, fall prevention, medication management, elder abuse, caregiving basics and dementia.
You can find out more about Little Tokyo Service Center and the Far East Lounge here.