SAN FRANCISCO — The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) has launched the 2015 Nikkei Youth Scholarship Raffle and is welcoming the community to participate.
The grand prize is two United Airlines roundtrip coach tickets good for travel anywhere in the continental United States.
The Nikkei Youth Scholarship Raffle has provided invaluable opportunities for youth of the community to build, engage, collaborate, and learn through cultural exchange and leadership development programs. The proceeds from this year’s raffle will provide scholarships to need-based participants of U.S.-Japan youth exchange programs and the JCCCNC’s Children’s Day School Visits program.
As part of the JCCCNC’s goal of preserving and cultivating Japanese and Japanese American culture, youth participate in goodwill exchange, build their leadership and civic development skills, and gain a better understanding of their cultural heritage while exploring Japan in a unique and exciting way. Additionally, youth participants have visited disaster-affected regions of Northern Japan and for many of us these youth are the closest connection we have to these communities.
The Children’s Day School Visits Program welcomes students from over 20 local public schools to the JCCCNC, many who lack access to cultural studies programs and curricula. Over 900 elementary school students engage in traditional Japanese mochi-making, a koinobori (carp streamer) craft, folk song and dance, and a tour of the doll exhibit. Complimentary bus service has been provided for a number of schools located away from Japantown, such as those in Bayview, Visitacion Valley, and Chinatown, with so many more schools the JCCCNC is still looking to serve.
Raffle tickets are $5 each or 6 tickets for $25 and should be purchased by April 24. The drawing will be held at JCCCNC’s Children’s Day Festival on Saturday, May 2, at the Japantown Peace Plaza in San Francisco. The winner need not be present to win.
To purchase tickets or for more information about the Nikkei Youth Scholarship Raffle or JCCCNC’s youth programs, visit www.jcccnc.org or contact Emily Mukai at (415) 567-5505 or emukai@jcccnc.org.