’tis the Season to Give.
Parties, lights, decorations and, of course, presents–all are images brought forth by the mention of Christmas, and in previous years the Fukuoka Now staff has focused on these more celebratory aspects of the season. This year, however, the staff wanted to focus on less tangible aspects of Christmas–the feelings and emotions it inspires–peace, love, goodwill, and the most important part of gift giving–the giving–. So Fukuoka Now’s staff decided on a topic that we believe encompasses all of the best elements of Christmas, volunteerism. We hope to give you, the reader, the tools and information needed to give back to your community. So read on, and find out how you can spread the joy this season.
Finding the chance
Whether collecting money for earthquake victims in central Niigata, asking for yearend donations on street corners, or visiting homes for the elderly, volunteers have become a common sight in Japan. Once equated with servitude, volunteerism now encompasses more casual, everyday activities, with a plethora of enjoyable opportunities. Volunteers may work individually or in a group, may donate money or offer their time and skills. They may work for the environment, for the arts, for culture, or in social welfare activities. They may spend a lifetime working with an organization, spend a day or perhaps, only an hour, participating in an activity such as giving blood. Fukuoka is one of the most active areas for volunteerism. A May 2004 survey found 526 nonprofit organizations, NPOs, in the prefecture. The total climbs above 900 when groups without legal recognition are included. Numbers continue to climb every year with a greater number of formerly uninterested people, stepping forward. Anyone can start at anytime–Just ask yourself want you can do and what you want to do before asking yourself where you want to work. Then ask a friend or two if they would like to join you. It might be the chance they were waiting for!
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Fukuoka’s clearinghouses for volunteer activities
1. Fukuoka NPO Volunteer Center
Commonly known as Asumin, this is a publicly-established, privately-operated support center for people-to-people interaction that provides information on NPOs, volunteers, and other activities for citizen participation. It has a section open to the public providing information on registered groups, including pamphlets and fund-raising activities.
2-6-46, Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
092-724-4801
http://www.fnvc.jp
Stop by and see us!
The staff of Asumin
Interest in volunteer activities is rising among young and old alike. In many cases, people get their start when asked by a friend to participate, and the initial participation is usually just casual. It’s important to do something you have an interest in or something you like. Stop in anytime–we’ll give you information on all kinds of activities.
2. Fukuoka Volunteer Center
This organization registers and makes connections for volunteers for social welfare activities in Fukuoka City. They link up interested people to one of about 180 groups for such activities as reading aloud to the blind, Braille transcription, or hospital volunteer work. They seek volunteers through their information magazine, Kaze. They have also established other volunteer centers in individual city wards for in-depth support.
3-3-39, Arato, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka city
092-713-0777
http://www.fukuoka-shakyo.or.jp
3 Fukuoka NPO and Volunteer Support Center
This group supports a wide range of volunteer activities in the prefecture, including health care, social welfare, urban development, and education. They work as an intermediary and support group linking NPOs with government agencies and businesses. The center has a website, on which they provide their latest recruitment and event information, and profile their activities in the prefecture.
3-1-7, Haramachi, Kasuga, Fukuoka city
092-915-7500
http://www.fvoc.gr.jp/
4 Fukuoka International Exchange Foundation/ Kokusaihiroba
Kokusai Hiroba is the headquarters for international exchange activities, providing information to foreign residents about life in Japan and to Japanese about studying abroad. They have a system for personnel registration limited to foreigners for volunteer activities employing a specific skill or talent, such as traditional dancing or singing, and sports. They also act as a clearinghouse for volunteers for homestay or home visit activities.
Acros Fukuoka 3F, 1-1-1, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka city
092-725-9200
http://www.kokusaihiroba.or.jp
5 Fukuoka International Association/ Rainbow Plaza
In addition to providing information on tourism, daily life in Japan, and international exchange, Rainbow Plaza also has a library of volunteer related books and videos. They promote such activities as volunteer language instruction and host family registration. Those who satisfy certain conditions, such as linguistic ability and a residence in the Fukuoka area, will be allowed to register, regardless of nationality.
IMS 8F, 1-7-11, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka city
092-733-2220
http://www.rainbowfia.or.jp
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XXXXX Volunteers Wanted XXXX
Start your volunteer activities by having fun in an activity you enjoy. Here’s a glance at five groups working in the city.
Green Bird
http://greenbird.jp
Green Bird promotes stylish clean-up activities in the city with the slogan, “An attractive city makes for an attractive heart”. City residents are familiar with the group from their regularly-scheduled clean-up activities, as well as the assistance they provide for such events as Dontaku and Sunset Live. Their efforts have been supported primarily by students and others who are down with the idea that cleaning up the city is a cool thing to do. This group has boosted their recognition by cleaning up trash in the Tenjin district while wearing green vests.
Fukuoka Dobutsu Kaigisho
www.animal-fukuoka.org
This group conducts educational activities that cast a spotlight on irresponsible pet owners through photography exhibits, contests, and lectures. The City of Fukuoka has one of the highest rates for abandoned pets in Japan, and these animals are put to sleep when caught by city agencies. To save the lives of these animals, this group tries to find homes for the pets. They also provide information at their office and on their website for the proper care of pets.
Kankyo Kyoiku wo Kangaeru Kai
http://homepage3.nifty.com/kan-iku
This environmental group strives to connect people with nature. Twice a month, they conduct tree planting and forest thinning activities. In addition, they work to protect terraced rice paddies, plant vegetables, and hold study meetings. They also work to raise the awareness of nature through activities for protecting forests and educating people on the proper recreational uses of forests. Membership ranges from teenagers to people in their 70s.
Katatsumuri
www.fukuoka-vc.or.jp
The organization provides much-needed break time to families with disabled children by providing temporary day care. Members, who include students and housewives, meet once a month with about 10 disabled children to play with them or to take them to parks or on other excursions. Anyone can participate freely in the group, whose aim is to spend a weekend afternoon playing with the children.
Patrols
Civilian groups have been formed to patrol the streets of Fukuoka City and ensure their safety. They have a high recognition factor because they wear uniforms and walk their beats in the area of Daimyo-dori and Oyafuko-dori on weekends.
The Guardian Angels of Japan
http://www.guardianangels.or.jp
In addition to patrolling the streets, the Guardian Angels also work to keep the city beautiful. They meet everyday at 8:00 p.m. in Imaizumi Park in Chuo Ward.
The Fukuoka Street Hawks
www.street-hawks.com
The Street Hawks patrol in the neighborhood Oyafuko-dori from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. every Saturday night. Women may also join the patrols, and there are no restrictions on nationality. You must be 18 or older to participate.
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XXXXX Fukuoka Homeless XXXXX
There are organizations that actively provide support to the homeless in Fukuoka City, and the government encourages their efforts. The sight of the homeless camped out in train stations, parks, or on riverbanks is increasingly common. We dug up some information on the local homeless population, including what the local governmental policies are and how the average citizen can help.
What support can be provided to the growing number of the homeless in Fukuoka?
A 2003 national survey revealed 607 homeless living in Fukuoka City, 52 of which were women. They were diffused throughout the city, staying at such locations as parks and riverbanks, but concentrated at train stations. As their numbers continue to grow, they are reportedly creating difficulties for neighboring residents and the facilities providing assistance to them. Special legal measures were passed in 2002 for providing support for the self-sufficiency of the homeless, and since then efforts on their behalf have been conducted at the national level. Depending on the individual’s circumstances, the assistance in Fukuoka City has focused on three areas–help for finding jobs, emergency assistance, and offering the protection required. This assistance is sometimes provided by volunteer groups or cooperative arrangements. A city official told us that the first step in providing assistance is a direct interview. After confirming that the person wants to work, they provide any care that the person seeks. The duties of the city officials are rather pedestrian, as they circulate among the homeless in parks and train stations throughout the city. They have found that the wishes of the homeless cannot be easily categorized. For example, some people want to work and also want to continue living on the streets. That’s why the city believes that support can be provided only after an initial interview. Private sector groups also offer their support, primarily by providing free hot meals at parks, churches, and other locations. The aim of these groups is not to just provide meals to tide over the needy–they believe this is just one step. By offering meals, they help people gain a perspective on their circumstances and change awareness of their situation. They also provide lodging to those who wish to return to everyday society, as well as help in finding a job. These groups rely exclusively on donations and contributions, in addition to the work by volunteer staff. Though homelessness is a problem easily overlooked in the course of our daily lives, it is important to focus more closely on the problem in our own neighborhoods.
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XXXXX Helping the Homeless XXXXX
The following groups are involved in helping the city’s homeless. Interested people are urged to get in contact with them.
Fukuoka Onigiri-no-Kai
http://www.pastorama.com/homejp.html
This group regularly provides meals for the homeless at the Minoshima Pastoral Center. While primarily a Christian organization, non-Christians also are welcome to join. Their efforts are focused on providing meals and helping the homeless reestablish their lives, based on the motto, “Keｧep your thoughts on life in the streets”.
Hakata New Life
Every day, the group distributes food it receives from a foreign capital-affiliated supermarket to the homeless at Hakata Station and parks throughout the city. They also provide meals to the homeless once a month. The group was launched about eight years ago when people began distributing onigiri paid for with funds from their own pockets. Today, their staff of volunteers numbers between 30 and 40, and they also receive financial assistance from local corporations. They welcome volunteers and donations irrespective of religious affiliation. They report that about 300 homeless people receive meals from them every month.
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Pastor David Gaal, a representative of Hakata New Life, says that the homeless may make some unconfortable, but they’ll change their minds if they sit down and talk with them.
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XXXXX Blood Simple XXXXX
Why not begin with something that’s easy to do–such as donating blood? There are three blood donation centers in the city, and giving blood is an easy way to help save someone’s life. We recommend you consider blood donation as the place to start.
Blood Domation Room Happy Cross IMS
IMS 8F / 092-726-1188
This is Kyushu’s largest blood donation center, located in the middle of Tenjin on the 8th floor of the IMS Building. Take your time and have your blood taken while watching TV in pleasant surroundings. The attractiveness of the center’s interior will take your mind off the idea of blood.
Blood Domation Room Canal City
Canal City Hakata, First Floor
092-272-5853
Fukuoka Red Cross Blood Center Tenjin Branch
5-3-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
092-721-1400
