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NATIONAL 3/11 RELIEF FUNDJETAA USA National Conference 2012

Christina Omori (CR2)us2.jetaausa@gmail.com

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BACKGROUND

Originally JETAANY fund

Opened to national fund for all US chapters

Established committee to manage fund

US chapters voted for fund to support community projects on children’s education in affected towns

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$26,700

By Hitoshi Tanaka, former Foreign Ministry official, SF Consul-General ’98-’00

Grants covered university entrance exam fees for 70 students from Takata HS, Rikuzentakata where JET Monty Dickson lived

Student testimonials:

I had to start to study from buying a pencil and an eraser because my house and school were totally destroyed. We’ve received many support goods sent to school and financial support, so that I could concentrate on studying hard.

I passed the entrance examinations and could step forward for my dream of becoming a midwife so as to contribute in the local medical care. I would like to save and take care of every precious life. To achieve my dream, I am going to study hard at school and get a nurse’s license.

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NPO supporting tutoring for Rikuzentakata junior high and elementary school students

「学びの部屋」 - “Learning rooms” lead by university students and local tutors in honor of JET Monty Dickson

Tutors also provided emotional and psychological support: students often felt comfortable to confide in them because they were closer in age, and tutors could refer them to receive proper help if necessary

100 students, 3 classrooms as of Aug. 2012

All 3rd year junior high students in the program passed their high school entrance exams

Japan’s Ministry of Education and United Way replicating the program in other disaster zones

$25,000

KODOMO NO EMPOWERMENT

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JET in Ishinomaki, Miyagi

Family established fund and is hosted by her school, St. Catherline’s

Fund supports: “Taylor Bunko” reading corners for 7 schools in

her town. Each has 60 of Taylor’s favorite children’s books & 200 others chosen by the school. Three are complete, one in Mangokuura where Taylor taught and two in the school where the builder Endo-san’s children were lost, and four more are planned.

Exchange programs for local students and teachers

Donations to other NPOs providing relief to affected towns

Fund is currently $239,000 as of 10/17/12

TAYLOR ANDERSON MEMORIAL FUND

$5,000

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$1,750

Documentary by NY filmmaker Reggie Life

JETAANY held two fundraisers to raise money to support the film

LIVE YOUR DREAM: THE TAYLOR ANDERSON STORY

Kickstarter campaign received $28,775, $10,000 over their $18,000 goal

Film premieres two weeks from today, Friday, 11/9/12 in Richmond, VA near Taylor’s hometown

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JET-run organization founded by JET Paul Yoo providing disaster aid in Rikuzentataka and other affected areas

Our funds helped volunteerAKITA to make 3 volunteer trips to affected Tohoku regions from Oct. 2011 to Mar. 2012

Funds supported activity costs such as travel for volunteers to clear tsunami debris and in partnership with the Tayor Anderson Memorial fund, purchasing supplies and a TV for an orphanage in Sendai

Funds also enabled 20 current JETs to volunteer in Rikuzentakata alongside JETAAi attendees in Oct. 2011

BeliefNet in April 2012 named Paul Yoo “most inspiring person of the month”

$5,000

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Currently still in the planning stages

Jim Gannon leading efforts with City Hall and Board of Education to determine needs

Looking for fund to support children’s education

~$20,000

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DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS ~$88,900 total raised by JETAA USA for 3/11 Fund

$26,700 – Hope for Tomorrow

$25,000 – Kodomo no Empowerment – E-pa+CH

$5,000 – Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund

$1,750 – Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story

$5,000 – volunteerAKITA

~$20,000 – Rikuzentakata City education project (TBD)

-$3,500 – fund management fees

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SPECIAL THANKS Jim Gannon Jessyca Livingston Rod McLeod Monica Yuki Kelly Nixon Megan Miller Yoo Ryan Hart Steven Horowitz Matthew Cook Michelle Spezzacatena Shannan Spisak Matt Gillam JETAA USA Chapters