The Japanese Visitors Association (JAVA) was started in 2001 by Japanese Social Services as a non-profit organization mandated to provide Japanese-language social support to the many student visa and working holiday visa holders in Toronto. As many JET participants know, having social support is invaluable when settling into a new life in a new country, language, and culture. Since those early days, JAVA has been a consistent friend and partner of JETAA and the JET Programme, first presenting on day-to-day Japan at our annual pre-departure orientations from the early 2000s, and later partnering on our larger events, such as our boat cruises and hanami picnics in the 2010s.
So when JAVA announced it would be closing it’s doors after 18 years and donating its remaining assets to Japanese Social Services (JSS) at the beginning of 2020, JETAA decided to commemorate this partnership by matching their donation of $1439.22. The donation took place on January 5th at the JCCC with JSS President David Ikeda, JAVA Chair Andrew Hebert, JETAA Chairs Alena Seibold & Matt Kaiser, and JETAA Community Liaison Geoff Greig. The combined donation of nearly $3000 will help JSS to continue providing Japanese language counselling, seminars, and information sharing on topics such as landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities, family planning, crime prevention & victim services, power of attorney & estate planning, and many other important topics. Please visit JSS’s homepage for more information, or reach out to us at community@jetaatoronto.ca if you have an idea on how JETAA Toronto can get involved in another charitable or community activity.