Mission

IN 2024, KIZUNA HOSTED SIX WEEK-LONG, IN-PERSON SUMMER CAMPS ACROSS LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE COUNTY, SERVING OVER 400 YOUTH AGED 7-13. YOUNG ADULTS RAN WORKSHOPS, AND TEENS EARNED VOLUNTEER HOURS AS MENTORS. EACH CAMP FOCUSED ON JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURE THROUGH GAMES, WORKSHOPS, AND ACTIVITIES, WITH THEMES LIKE "PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE."KIZUNA LAUNCHED THE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION PROGRAM, A 10-WEEK SERIES WHERE TEENS DESIGNED CIVIL LIBERTIES PROJECTS, WITH 18 PARTICIPANTS AND FOUR FINAL PROJECTS. COMMUNITY LEADERS TAUGHT 21ST-CENTURY SKILLS.THE BOARD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM PLACED YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ON NON-PROFIT BOARDS, INJECTING YOUTHFUL VOICES INTO GOVERNANCE.THE 10-WEEK SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM OFFERED NETWORKING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING THROUGH PAID INTERNSHIPS WITH JAPANESE-AMERICAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, STARTING WITH A RETREAT IN LITTLE TOKYO AND ENDING IN SAN JOSE AND SAN FRANCISCO JAPANTOWNS.