JSS 16th Annual Holiday Drive Program: Calling for your generous support
The season for preparing the annual JSS Holiday Drive program has begun.
In North America, at the beginning of the holiday season, organizations have members who stand on the sidewalks to receive donations from passers-by in order to support the less fortunate members of society. You might have seen campaign titles with the word “drive” in it. The “holiday drives” usually collect food, toys or money, which is then distributed to people in need.
President’s Message: Senior’s Issues and Large Donations From Shokokai and The Itos
By David Ikeda. Our counsellors reported that they have become busy recently with several cases involving dementia and Alzheimer’s. Given our community’s aging population, a rise in the number of cases involving seniors with either of these illnesses is to be expected. The cases take a lot of time but as I have said before these cases like so many others are why we are here.
The Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon Successfully Completed
By Junko Yamamoto, JSS Fundraising Chair.
The annual Waterfront Marathon sponsored by Scotiabank was held on October 18th. We had very mild weather two days earlier. So I was hoping the weather would stay warm until the day of the marathon, but it did not turn out that way. One day before the marathon, we had snow for the first time this fall and on the day of the marathon, the temperature dropped down to 0°C, but it was beautiful for walking or running. The air was crisp with a beautiful blue sky and brilliant sunshine.
Counsellor’s Corner: Domestic Violence
By Yuka Sato, Clinical Supervisor & Junko Mifune, Counsellor.
When a couple faces prolonged conflicts, or when they are not able to understand each other’s concerns or needs, actively engaging with these issues by having open dialogue or utilizing couples or marriage counselling are important steps the couple can take to improve the situation. However, sometimes the couples may need to make the difficult decision to get separated.
Programs Summary: A look back on the year 2015
By Chie Takano Reeves, Community Outreach Worker.
Hello everyone. My name is Chie and I am a JSS staff member managing the programs, volunteers and some counselling services. What follows is a summary report of the 2015 JSS programs. Time flies quickly and there is only a month left in the year 2015.
Demand For Japanese Interpreters in the Community
By Minako Miyata, Accredited Court Interpreter.
We have a problem with regards to the shortage of Japanese interpreters currently in Toronto. A Japanese patient was not provided with a Japanese interpreter in hospital recently even though she had requested one prior to her appointment date.
Healthy Eats: Guide For Selecting Seasonal Ingredients and Tips For Assembling An Appetizing Spread
By Nagisa Hashimoto, Cook, Owner of Catering Company and Restaurant Coo Café Bread or Rice.
It is rather an old story, but when I came to Canada for the first time (more than 10 years ago), a Canadian newspaper (The Globe & Mail) had an article saying that “the Japanese people divide the season into 24 and cherish a sense of the transient nature of the seasons.
President’s Message: Long-time Volunteer and board member, Ms. Junko Lui dies suddenly
By David Ikeda, JSS President It is with extreme sadness that I have to report the passing of one of Japanese Social Services’ (JSS) greatest supporters and friends. Ms. Junko Lui (nee Hori), long-time treasurer, board member and volunteer, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2015. Surrounded by members of her family at St. Michael’s […]
Team JSS will run at Waterfront Marathon
The 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will be held on October 18th (Sunday), and JSS will once again send three marathon runners. There are two different courses the runner can choose from: full marathon (42km) and half marathon (21 km). Mr. Takanori Kuge (counsellor) will run a full marathon and Ms. Junko Mifune (part-time counsellor) […]
A Race Report: The North Face Endurance Challenge 80km
By Takanori Kuge, JSS Counsellor On July 18, 2015, I ran an 80km race called ‘The North Face Endurance Challenge — GORE TEX 50 MILE’ at the Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario. The course consisted mostly of mountain trails with many uphills and downhills including several ski slopes. This race features the trails with the […]
Workshop for Advance Care Planning (ACP) offered by Momiji Health Care Society & JSS
By Yoko Galloway On June 27, 2015, I went to a movie screening of “A Terminal Trust” which had been originally released in 2012 in Japan. It was shown to a packed audience at Innis Town Hall of the University of Toronto. With an introduction by the director, Masayuki Suo, known for movies such as […]
President’s Message
By David Ikeda The older I get it seems that time goes by increasingly faster and faster. Indeed, time is moving so fast that the topics I am writing about for this message that will be occurring in the future for me now will have already passed before the article is published. At the time […]
Social Work and I
By Jean Peasah, Former JSS Counsellor Being born in the 1930s, I find that what most people would regard as history, remain very current and active in my mind. When the media, for example, comments that it is now 70 years since the end of the Second World War, my initial reaction is to be […]
Impact of Domestic Violence (DV) on Children
By Junko Mifune, JSS Counsellor To follow up on my previous article, I would like to write about the impact of DV on children. As noted in my previous article, in homes where DV occurs, the victim is a mother, the abuse she experiences impacts her physical and mental health, and she is often traumatized by her adverse experience. Children living with DV are also greatly affected by their exposure to violence in their homes, because their needs for safety, stability, and consistency that children require are threatened.
The 2nd Dementia Supporter Training
By Satomi Hiraga, Coordinator On March 29th 2015, Japanese Social Services (JSS) hosted ‘Dementia Caravan’, a dementia seminar, in conjunction with the Toronto New Japanese Canadian Association (NJCA). The seminar was held in the Hiroko-Barall Room at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and was attended by 16 participants. This was the second time that JSS […]