COVID-19 and JACL operations and programming | |
JACL's physical offices remain closed. Staff continue to do the work of the organization remotely. Please direct all phone calls to our Washington, D.C. Office at (202) 223-1240 and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. Otherwise, we will all be available via email. All staff emails can be found HERE. Stay safe everyone and we hope to see you all in person again soon. - JACL National Staff | |
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JACL Mourns Passing of Helen Kawagoe | |
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JACL is saddened to hear of the passing of Helen Kawagoe. The second woman to be elected as JACL National President, she ran unopposed at the San Jose Convention and served two terms from 1996-2000. Upon entering her presidency, she wanted to focus on re-engineering JACL. She accomplished this perhaps best through the influence she had on many younger JACLers who have now moved up to positions of leadership in the organization including future chapter presidents and national presidents. | |
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Happy Birthday to George Takei and Allegiance on DVD | |
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We want to wish actor, activist, and JACL member George Takei a happy 83rd birthday! If you're interested in George's broadway musical, Allegiance, you can finally order a DVD copy! Visit the link here to order your copy today! | |
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Tsuru for Solidarity Next Gen Digital Fold-In | |
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This Saturday, Tsuru for Solidarity’s Next Generation Coalition will be hosting a virtual fold-in! Stop by, bring paper, and learn about what you can do to get involved in closing immigrant detention camps! | |
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We've updated our Hate Crimes Page to include more information and reporting options for members of the community as hate crimes increase as a result of COVID-19. You can visit the updated page here. | |
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Here are some recent policy-related sign-ons for members to stay up to date on what the JACL is supporting on the national level | |
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JACL National Board Postpones Physical Convention in Las Vegas – Exploring Options for Virtual Meeting in 2020 | | | |
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On April 9, 2020, the JACL National Board unanimously voted to postpone holding an in-person convention in Las Vegas to 2021. The unprecedented impact and continuing uncertainty of COVID-19 necessitated this decision to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our members, delegates, and board members who would have attended the in-person meeting. | |
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Bystander Intervention Training hosted by AAJC and Hollaback! | |
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC and Hollaback! have partnered up for a free virtual training on bystander intervention to address heightened anti-Asian and anti-Asian American hate and xenophobia in the wake of COVID-19. Sign up for a time convenient for you! You can find dates and sign-ups here! | |
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Manzanar Virtual Pilgrimage | |
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The 2nd San Jose JACL Pilgrimage to Manzanar has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but please join us on a virtual journey to learn about the Japanese American World War II incarceration. This year's pilgrimage will be an online educational experience held via Zoom Webinar. The goals of the program are: -
To educate the community about the WWII Japanese American incarceration and the movement for redress and reparations; -
To draw parallels between the struggles of JAs during WWII and the plight of Muslims, refugees, immigrants, and others today; -
To stimulate thoughtful inter-generational & intercultural discussions; and -
To inspire advocacy and action to protect human rights and fight hate and discrimination. Cost is Free! Check out more information on the panels and register at the link below! | |
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Heart Mountain Virtual Programming | |
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"In a continued effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, we have closed the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center to the public until April 30. At that time, we will assess the situation and decide whether to reopen. Please visit our Coronavirus page to keep up with the latest announcements. In the meantime, Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation staff has begun a weekly schedule of new online content! This digital programming will continue through the duration of the Interpretive Center’s closure." - Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation | |
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COVID-19 Relief from the SBA as part of the CARES Act | |
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"Our nation's small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses." In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak. - Paycheck Protection Program
- EIDL Loan Advance
- SBA Express Bridge Loans
- SBA Loan Forgiveness
For any of our members or supporters interested in applying for relief through the CARES Act you can do so through the SBA website Here! | |
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Tsuru for Solidarity and Detention Watch Network Day of Action - #Defundthehate | |
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Tsuru for Solidarity is taking part in Detention Watch Network's Week of Action with a Day of Action planned for tomorrow, April 1. Tsuru and DWN are asking supporters to complete a Targeted Action Message, sending an email to your members of Congress asking them to #Defundthehate and protect immigrants in ICE custody from COVID-19. You can use the button below to take part and message your representatives. | |
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JACL National Scholarship Program: Non-Freshman Deadline Extended! Non-freshman Deadline: NOW MAY 1, 2020 All other filing requirements for non-freshman applicants remain in place. Complete application packets must be postmarked no later than May 1, 2020, and sent to: National JACL Scholarship Committee, c/o JACL Midwest District Council, 10604 Killarney Drive, Union, Kentucky 41091. Due to shelter-in-place orders, the processing of membership and membership numbers out of our San Francisco Headquarters Office may be delayed. Phone messages are not easily retrievable so membership questions should be emailed to mbr@jacl.org rather than calling. | |
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JACL Legacy Fund Grant Applications Deadline Extended! Deadline Now: May 1, 2020 JACL Chapters and Districts are eligible to apply for a grant to support a project or activity that is supportive of the National JACL Strategic Plan. Grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded by the Legacy Fund Grants Committee to selected applicants. Funding for the program grants are provided by Legacy Fund revenues. | |
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