Community News
Okaeri
Mission Statement: To create visibility, compassionate spaces, and transformation for LGBTQ+ Nikkei and their families by sharing our stories and providing culturally-rooted support, education, community-building, and advocacy.
Letters to Home
Art and Writing by LGBTQ+ Nikkei and Allies asks what it means to welcome others and to be welcomed home. Bringing together art, poetry, and story-telling from nearly 50 contributors across the US and Japan, this wide-ranging volume offers a nuanced exploration of the trials and triumphs of finding community, and the process of co-constructing a sense of belonging for all queer Nikkei. Letters to Home was the vision of Okaeri, a Los Angeles-based organization dedicated to creating visibility, compassionate spaces, and transformation for LGBTQ+ Nikkei and their families.
If you are interested in purchasing this book click the link below!
Changing Tides - A Program of Little Tokyo service center
Mission Statement - To normalize mental health in our community through events, services, outreach, education, and open conversations.
Suicide Prevention Training Opportunity
Changing Tides offers suicide prevention training through QPR. The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. They believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. To learn more click the link for QPR’s website!
If you are interested in receiving this training feel free to contact a CACS staff member, and we can get you in touch with Changing Tides.
Ebb and Flow: A Community Mental Health Conference
Saturday, November 1, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm Terasaki Budokan, 249 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles CA 90012
Ebb and Flow is Little Tokyo Service Center's third annual community mental health conference in Little Tokyo. This conference is a welcoming space for the Asian American community to address, examine, and understand mental health in its various forms.
This year's conference will also look a little different! As usual, Conference plenaries will be interspersed with workshops and small group discussions focused on specific mental health topics. There are sessions for a variety of ages and experiences to meet you wherever you are in your mental health journey. This year, we will utilize different parts of Little Tokyo for our breakout workshops, while our plenaries and meals will be located at our home base, the Terasaki Budokan.
*A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.*
If you are in need of a scholarship for your admission ticket, please contact dumeda@LTSC.org.
For questions about this event, please email yabo@LTSC.org.
Japanese American citizens League - Pacific southwest district
Mission Statement - The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.
Nikkei Progressives
Mission Statement - We support the human and civil rights of immigrants, the Black diaspora, Muslim Americans, and other groups who face marginalization and discrimination. We believe in building bridges and solidarity between people, not walls, registries and travel bans. We believe families belong together, children separated from their parents must be reunited immediately, and migrants and asylum seekers deserve safety and freedom from violence and modern-day prison camps. We believe Black Lives Matter. We believe Little Tokyo is the heart of the Southern California Japanese American community and its 141-year history, culture, values, legacy businesses, and community institutions must be protected for future generations.
Venice japanese american memorial monument committee
Due: January 2, 2026
VJAMM Commemoration
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Little Tokyo Community council
Mission Statement - LTCC advocates on behalf of the Little Tokyo community, and provides the opportunity for the community to speak effectively with one voice for the best interests and betterment of Little Tokyo. By bringing together a broad range of Little Tokyo stakeholders to speak with one voice, we protect, preserve, and promote the character and values of our historic community.
Newsletter!
Sign up for LTCC’s newsletter using the link below!
Keiro
Mission Statement - To enhance the quality of senior life in Our Community
Go For Broke - National Education Center
Mission Statement - To educate and inspire character and equality through the virtue and valor of our World War II American veterans of Japanese ancestry. REMEMBER. EDUCATE. INSPIRE.
Terasaki Budokan
Mission Statement - Terasaki Budokan is an events and recreation facility in Downtown, Los Angeles that offers sports, community activities, and opportunities for youth, families, and seniors. We are a mission-driven project of Little Tokyo Service Center.
Haunted Little Tokyo Scavenger Hunt - Volunteer Opportunity
Date - October 25, 2025
Time - 10am to 6pm
We are looking for volunteers to assist with various tasks such as event setup, handing out candy, stamping maps, assisting with arts and crafts, and more.
Terasaki Budokan Gold Tournament
Date - November 10, 2025
Time - 7am to 6pm
Join us for our sixth annual Terasaki Budokan Golf Tournament. Proceeds from this event will go towards Terasaki Budokan. Our mission is to provide a facility in Downtown Los Angeles for youth, families, and seniors that offers sports, community activities and opportunities to connect visitors to Japanese American culture and to a vibrant, sustainable Little Tokyo. We are looking for volunteers to assist with registration, breakfast/lunch distribution, goody bag distribution, monitoring prize holes, setting up our raffle and silent auction, and more!
** Volunteers must be over 18 years of age **