The elevator will benefit anyone who cannot navigate stairs to participate in our Japanese language classes and activities that are conducted in the classrooms located on the second floor. Also, to the library located on the second floor, is run by a group of dedicated volunteers whose average age is 75+ years old. The library is confined to the first floor conference rooms to aid access for the library volunteers as well as the seniors who visit the library. As a result, more than half the library collection is being stored.
The stairs also impede visitors’ access to exhibits and activities with small children and other family-oriented activities. Nikkei Heritage of Washington receive more than 5,000 visitors a year including language, martial arts and cultural arts students; families; conference attendees, and visitors from Japan and throughout Western Washington, including those on the self-guided “Japanese American Remembrance Trail” tours through Seattle’s historic Nihonmachi (Japantown). Their campus is important to the immediate neighborhood as well, providing a gathering place where people can visit, volunteer, attend classes, meet or work.

Learn more about NiKkei Heritage Association of Washington at https://www.jcccw.org/

Photo: Courtesy of Nikkei Heritage Association of Washington