Yu-Ai Kai is a non-profit organization devoted to providing culturally relevant programs, bilingual services, dissemination of information, and development of intergenerational support programs for senior citizens in the Japanese American Community.
Yu-Ai Kai (which means "friendship and love") was organized in the early 1970's by Sansei students from San Jose State University who aimed to provide culturally appropriate meals, services and activities for the Issei and the Nisei in the Japanese American community. Through the generous support of the Japanese American community, churches, businesses and many individuals, Yu-Ai Kai was established in 1974 as the only Japanese American focused senior center in Silicon Valley. It was housed in the ground floor of the Issei Memorial Building from 1983 to 1993 before relocating to their new building on Fourth Street.
Yu-Ai Kai serves individuals who range in age from their mid 70's to the mid 90's with programs that welcome and serve immigrants from Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Korea and elsewhere. It continues to provide community-based health and social services that meet the growing needs of the Japanese/Asian American senior population in the long term, enabling older adults to live independently for as long as possible. Yu-Ai Kai has been operating for 32 years, and reports to have served 1,833 seniors 65 years and older, with 30 full-time and part-time staff and 800 volunteers in 2004-2005 (Aya Oikawa, Nichi Bei Times, Proposed Japantown Senior/Youth Center to Bring Generations Together, August 17-23, 2006).
CLOSE WINDOW |