Children Deserve a Future

Contingent walking from LTSC

I've been working in the Child Development field for almost 8 years, as a parent, and 7 years at LTSC.  We have had a lot of successes with families in our Family Literacy program, with parents learning to speak English, gaining confidence and self-esteem, and several of our parents putting themselves out there and testifying before Commissioners at First 5 LA and School Board members at LAUSD Board meetings.  I am so proud of them, and inspired by their courage.   I have done it countless times myself, almost monthly it seems, and each time I am a shaking mess, 

We have gone to rallies, marched from Echo Park to downtown over the years, and in April this year, 55 people from LTSC, parents, children, teachers, directors and friends joined us at the march and rally to save Childcare from budget cuts with another 3,000 people who attended.  My programs were cut $200,000 last year, and this year they were cut an additional $100,000 so when they say that budgets are balanced on the backs of poor families, immigrants, and children, these are the babies, toddlers and preschoolers we work with every day.  

So, enough of my soapbox, here are some pictures of the Childcare Rally in April.  

LTSC Staff, Parents, Children!

Me and Maiya... LTSC Grace Iino Child Care Center Alumni (2005-2008)

Disa, who was Co-campaign manager for Meghan Sahli-Wells

Angelina Preschool teachers

Grace Iino staff and families

Child Development, the personal is political

Peace. Out.

NaBloPoMo12 #10
(Backblogging April 2012)

Supporting the JLA's is urgent! (#6)

I am sharing this email I received to support the Japanese Latin American issue.  One of my first columns written back in 1996 and was about the JLA's:  Justice Now, Redress Now for JLA's.  


~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Supporters of JLA Redress:

We need YOUR HELP to urge Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to support our bill.  This email campaign is directed to our supporters and is NOT a broad public appeal.  Good news!  Our Japanese Latin American Commission bill (H.R.42 / S.69) is positioned for passage in both the Senate and House.  This bill would establish a Congressional commission to investigate what JLAs experienced at the hands of the US government during the WWII Latin American rendition program and to recommend appropriate remedies. 

URGENT!  This is time sensitive!  
1)   Please email Nancy Pelosi TODAY (or no later than Monday, Nov. 8) with this message.  
2)   Please forward to others who will support, especially folks who reside in Pelosi's 8th District.
3)   Also, please call or email me so we can keep track of how many emails are sent in.


Dear Madam Speaker:
I urge your support of The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act (H.R.42/S.69) .  The language of H.R.42/S.69 is currently included in S.3636, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Appropriations Act, 2011.  Please support keeping the language of H.R.42/S.69, including the related funding, in S.3636 when it comes to the House of Representatives for consideration. 
 
This legislation is crucial for our nation to learn about the violations suffered by the Japanese Latin Americans during World War II at the hands of our government.  We must understand the lessons from our hidden history to better uphold our Constitution and human rights.  We ask you to stand with us for truth and justice.

Thank you for your consideration.
[add your name]

Here’s the link for residents of Pelosi's 8th district:https://pelosi. house.gov/ contact/email- me.shtml  
Here’s the link for everyone who lives outside of her district: http://www.speaker. gov/contact/
Please remember to call or email Grace gshimizu7@gmail. com or 510-459-7288.
Thank you so much for your help!

Grace Shimizu
Campaign For Justice
~~~~~


Ok friends, it took me a whole 25 seconds to click the link, paste the email and send to Nancy Pelosi.  I  know she is supportive of Japanese American redress and education about the WW2 camp experience because she supported Manzanar After Dark and the Manzanar Pilgrimage events over 10 years ago, when she was based out of San Francisco area.


(NaBloPoMo#6)