Licensing

Kim Kobashigawa - East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) - Southern California

Who are you? 
I’m Kim Kobashigawa.

Where are you interning this summer?
I’m working at the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) in West Covina.

Who is your supervisor?
Pearl Omiya, executive director of the ESGVJCC.

How do you like working with her?
I like Pearl. She’s very nice. She doesn’t mind me asking questions. I think Pearl tries to joke with me, but I don't really get her jokes.

What projects have you worked on at the ESGVJCC?
I help plan the senior wellness program, which is every Wednesday. In August, I've been running craft activities for the wellness program, so I've had to plan two Wednesdays of craft activities for the seniors. I also work Camp Chibikko, which is a camp for little kids that teaches them about taiko, aikido, and other aspects of Japanese culture.

I finished a mural that shows the history of the community center, and it's going to be put up in the gym soon.

I also worked on a Tanabata kazari for Nisei Week, and I'm helping with the student exchange program with Ohtawara, Japan.

General thoughts on working at the ESGVJCC?
I like working there. It’s fun. I get food. There’s nothing I dislike. But I don’t get to see the NCI interns.

What's been your favorite thing about working at the ESGVJCC?
I think my favorite thing would be the number of craft activities we do—for example, this past week we did pressed flowers. I really like it because I like working with my hands.