I love JASSI!!


I would like to introduce JASSI (Japanese American Social Services, Inc.) briefly, with which I was involved during the past summer as a student intern.

JASSI is a wonderful non-profit social services organization, particularly for seniors in the New York metro area. Originally started about 15 years ago to support a sparse Japanese American community, today it serves as a place whe re everyone can ask for answers or help regarding immigration, housing, and legal issues.

Given the stereotype about "wealthy Japanese!??", it is hard to believe that there are (senior) Japanese Americans on welfare in N.Y.C. And there are also many young Japanese who come to stay in New York without knowing or being careful a bout immigration or housing law. As a result, an institution like JASSI serves an important role for the community by providing assistance for individual needs and overall information.

I was very lucky that I have had a chance to work there and learn more about the community, and I am still doing volunteer work for JASSI.

| JASSI | View of Central Park |
Fujiko Shigaki, 1995.