GOTO-HEALTH

 OMOIDE is the writing group, started in 1991 for the benefit of the Seattle community, publishing stories for the next generations of families and Washington State school children. The stories feature Japanese Heritage Principles and memories of discrimination, incarceration, hardships, kindness and hope. Research and many professionals cite writing and heritage stories as key to life fulfillment & happiness.

 

OMOIDE started in the process of incorporating the Japanese Heritage Community effort to develop a historic cultural and community center of Washington. Four of us began meeting in the Goto home kitchen with, Chuck Kato, Del Uchida & Margaret Yasuda exchanging memories, writing and taking the stories to Kinko to be Christmas presents for friends and family. OMOIDE was part of the Seattle Film Festival around 2011 and sold out at the Seattle Rep programs in 2023 & 2024.

 

The 2003 NIKKEI HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON (NHAW) incorporation, soon known as the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW), used a KIP TOKUDA grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Education, for OMOIDE IV to help acquire the first paid employee of our JCCCW. 

 

OMOIDE donations are part of the JCCCW budget, to be used if necessary. Individuals like Ats Kiuchi have contributed time and honorariums regularly for speakers and writing facilitators for the program. Janine Brodine has been our writing facilitator since 2012. Participants have various heritages.

 

OMOIDE VI is currently available at the JCCCW Hosekibako. Proceeds from the book  as well as contributions benefit JCCCW needs for the facility and programs. We gather at the “J” and look forward to sharing stories for many years forward.