San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place: Kimochi, Inc. - Senior Services

Address: 1715 Buchanan St., 1531 Sutter St., 1581 Webster St., 1840 Sutter St.

Description:

Kimochi, Incorporated is a private, non-profit, community-based senior service agency whose goal and purpose is to upgrade the quality of life for San Francisco’s elderly population. The organization’s mission is to provide "a continuum of culturally-sensitive programs and services to ALL seniors and their families to preserve their dignity and independence, with a focus on the Japanese American and Japanese speaking community." Kimochi provides information, referral, and outreach services; Senior Center Activities; Social Services; Congregate and Home Delivered Meals; Transportation Services; In-Home Supportive Services; 24-hour Residential and Respite Care; and Adult Social Day Care. Kimochi also maintains an active volunteer program consisting of approximately 250 volunteers who assist staff at four program sites. These four sites are all located in Japantown: 1715 Buchanan Street, where information and referral services, social services, and in-home supportive services are offered; 1840 Sutter Street, which runs a congregate nutrition program, home delivery meal program, transportation service, and senior center activities; 1531 Sutter Street (Kimochi Home), which operates a 24-hour residential/respite care program and adult social day care activities; and 1581 Webster Street (Kimochi Lounge), where book and video libraries are housed;

History:

Since 1971, Kimochi, Inc. has developed and promoted an intergenerational philosophy of care for seniors and families. The word "kimochi" means "feelings" in Japanese, referring to feelings of respect and concern for the older generations. Kimochi began when a few Sansei (third generation Japanese Americans) realized language and cultural barriers prevented many elderly Issei (first generation Japanese Americans) from accessing mainstream social services. Having grown from volunteers working out of makeshift facilities in condemned buildings to a model non-profit agency with four direct service sites, Kimochi, Inc. provides care and support to more than 3,000 seniors and their families throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Significance:

Cultural, Educational, Social

Recognition of Significance:

Has received grants from Goldman Fund, Walter Haas Foundation, Buddhist Churches of America Welfare Fund, Altria Fund, Catholic Healthcare West, Wells Fargo Foundation, and CA Pacific Medical Center

Sources:

Anna Sawamura, Program Director, Kimochi, Inc.; Sandy Mori, Development Director, Kimochi, Inc.

Other Comments:

In keeping up with Japantown’s shifting racial demographic, Kimochi, Inc. also has begun providing bilingual services to Korean seniors in Japantown, a vital way to link the two communities together.

Prepared By: Young Kim Date Prepared: 8/21/04