2010 Honorees
Asian American Drug Abuse Program, Inc. (AADAP)
www.aadapinc.org
AADAP CHANGING LIVES AND SAVING FAMILIES
In 1971, 31 Asian American youths died from drug overdoses. Community leaders largely in denial about the problems of substance abuse in the so-called “model minority” were shocked and dismayed by a growing crisis. An epidemic of drug abuse was underway while many in the Asian Pacific Islander American community believed, “our kids do not do drugs.” Fortunately, leadership recognized the consequences for the community as a whole and decided to make a difference.
People organized and talked to the youth to figure out the underlying causes of substance abuse and addiction in the Asian Pacific Islander American community. The organizers discovered that users both young and old in this ethnic enclave had no where to go for help. Asian Pacific Islander drug users needed someone and some place that understood the ethnic, cultural and family nuances of what they were going through with their drug use and addiction.
The organizers drafted a proposal and submitted a request to the federal government for funding to provide a substance abuse program targeting Asian Pacific Islander Americans. In 1972, the proposal was funded for a nonprofit organization and the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) came into existence. Today, AADAP remains one of the leaders in the nation with a mission to target and design services for Asian and Pacific Islanders with substance abuse problems. (more)
Japanese American Medical Association (JAMA)
 
(left to right, Gale Itagaki -JAMA Auxiliary Co-President, Elliot Sumi, M.D.,-2009 Scholarship Chair, Brian Itagaki M.D.- JAMA President, John Mayeno M.D.-JAMA Membership Chair, Mike Uyeki M.D.- JAMA Secretary, Gordon Sasaki M.D. -2010 Scholarship Chair, Joanne Sasaki-JAMA Auxiliary Co-President) Nisei Week Queen Dana Heatherton, 2010 Scholarship Winners- Aimee Sato, Nanae Takatori, and our Guest Artist- 5 time Grammy Winner, Daniel Ho.
The Japanese American Medical Association was established in 1947 and is the oldest Japanese American professional group in Southern California. JAMA was founded to create a social and professional network for members to share information, to establish referrals or patients, and to socialize with other physicians and spouses. At the time of JAMA's establishment, Japanese physicians were not permitted to practice in most Los Angeles hospitals, making cooperative communication imperative.
Today, JAMA plays a vital role in our community and has expanded the needs and challenges of its members. JAMA is proud to sponsor the Fourth Medical Student Scholarship program, the mentoring program for physicians-in-training, and the oral history book, "Silent Scars of Healing Hands."
On June 10, 1997, JAMA received the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center's President's Award for fifty years of distinguished service to the community.
On April 10, 2010, JAMA will be honored by receiving the Senator Daniel Inouye Cherry Blossom Leadership Award for sixty-three years of outstanding leadership and contribution to the community.
JAMA has enjoyed a significant history, reflective of its members and their achievements, and looks forward to continued growth in its organization.
Nisei Week Foundation
NISEI WEEK FOUNDATION
BACKGROUND www.niseiweek.org
The Nisei Week Foundation is a501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that oversees and organize the Nisei Week Japanese Festival. The Foundation’s mission is to promote Japanese and Japanese American heritage and traditions while bringing together the diverse communities of Southern California through arts and cultural education. It does this by producing the Nisei Week Japanese Festival, a nine-day event that is the longest running ethnic festival in the United States.
In 2010, the Nisei Week Japanese Festival will celebrate its 70th year. The festival was established by the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) in 1934 during the Great Depression. It was originally created to attract business to the Little Tokyo area and to promote goodwill. This first festival included a poster contest, an essay contest, radio broadcasts, a fashion show, various cultural exhibits and demonstrations and an “ondo” or “traditional Japanese street dancing” parade.
A queen pageant was added in 1935 with Alice Watanabe as the first Nisei Week Queen. Candidate selection was by nomination and the queen was selected by popular vote. Friends could cast a vote for their favorite candidate when making a purchase at one of the many businesses in Little Tokyo. Today, queen candidates are selected by various Japanese American community organizations. The Nisei Week Queen is selected and crowned at the Coronation Ball, which is held the first day of the festival.
The festival continued for only seven years before World War II intervened and the Japanese Americans were incarcerated for the duration of the war in U.S. concentration camps located in remote areas of the United States. In 1945, Japanese Americans began to return to Los Angeles, but it was not until 1949 that the community was able to restart the Nisei Week.
With the Foundation’s leadership and through solid support from local businesses and corporations and a growing number of Japanese firms doing business in the U.S., the Nisei Week Japanese Festival has grown in size and scope into one of the most recognized ethnic festivals in the United States today.
The most unique aspect of the festival is that it is completely planned, organized and run by hundreds of volunteers from the Japanese American community. Members from businesses and corporations, community-based and religious organizations, college groups, fraternities and sororities volunteer thousands of hours each year.
The Nisei Week Foundation depends on and appreciates the generosity of its volunteers and donors to continue the important Nisei Week Japanese Festival tradition. For more information on the Nisei Week Foundation, festival or to become a volunteer or donor, please visit www.niseiweek.org or call (213) 687-7193 or email at info@niseiweek.org.
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