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Dear KEIRO Supporter,
KEIRO
: Working to achieve maximum community benefit
We are very pleased to share KEIRO's New Vision Framework, which describes core components that serve as the roadmap for KEIRO's long-range planning going forward. The Board of Directors and staff are excited about KEIRO's future and we look forward to continuing to provide our core services for older adults in Our Community, including programming for residents at our former facilities, while expanding our services for the over 97% of older adults who are choosing to age at home (2010 U.S. Census).
KEIRO remains committed to meeting the evolving needs of our aging community while being a good steward of precious and limited resources, taking a thoughtful and deliberate approach in developing future programs to ensure we are making wise investments that improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of seniors in Our Community.
The New Vision Framework is a compilation of
eNewsletters originally issued in English and Japanese during June through September 2016, which are also available at KEIRO's
website for immediate viewing.
The New Vision Framework begins with KEIRO's mission and outlines our three program areas: Services to Older Adults, Support of Caregivers, Programs for Residents of KEIRO's Former Facilities. We have conducted interviews of many prominent members of Our Community and experts in the field of aging which has resulted in identifying highest needs within the Japanese American and Japanese community. KEIRO continues to incorporate a holistic approach to programming through our signature Genki Living®: eight dimensions of wellbeing. Going forward, the Board is reviewing all this information as part of our strategic planning process and prioritizing how the organization can best serve Japanese American and Japanese older adults in Our Community in greatest need and who are most vulnerable. We believe that KEIRO can achieve the greatest impact by utilizing different strategies to pursue our priorities and enhance the work of other groups and organizations that share our goals, including our new Grants Program, which we will discuss briefly below. Lastly, KEIRO strives to continue embodying our Core Values-in the way we work and govern operations, as well as externally, in the way we engage with Our Community.
New Grants Program
We hope you've seen information in print and by email regarding KEIRO's new Grants Program which was launched at the end of August this year. In its inaugural cycle, KEIRO's Grants Program will distribute up to $500,000 in funding through a competitive, community based review process, to non-profit community based organizations in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties whose programs align with KEIRO's mission and goals.
The Grants Program seeks to achieve the greatest impact by addressing issues affecting Japanese American and Japanese older adults in greatest need or vulnerability. These populations include, but are not limited to, older adults who are facing challenges due to isolation, multiple health conditions, memory and cognitive disabilities, low income, monolingual Japanese speakers, immigration or residency status, or oldest of the old.
KEIRO recognizes that there are many organizations, agencies, and groups already doing important work to support the needs of an aging population. Rather than duplicate efforts or recreate the wheel, KEIRO hopes to serve Our Community by providing vital resources to organizations whose programs focus on either of two of KEIRO's core program areas: Service to Older Adults and Support of Caregivers.
We are thrilled about the enthusiasm expressed for the new Grants Program and the turnout at the eight informational workshops held in the three counties. Well over 150 individuals representing nearly 80 different groups and organizations have attended the workshops!
As our Board has stated throughout our transition, we embrace our future. We are optimistic and excited about KEIRO going forward and call on all members of Our Community to join us in helping Japanese American and Japanese older adults age on their own terms and live with dignity, vitality and confidence through our focus on providing services to older adults, supporting caregivers, and continuing programs for residents of KEIRO's former facilities. Please join us in remembering our history, helping and caring for our present, and working together in creating a new KEIRO.
We look forward to sharing our progress with you, and welcome your comments, suggestions, participation and support.
Sincerely,
Gary Kawaguchi Gene S. Kanamori
Chairman, Board of Directors Interim President & CEO
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