History of Tonari Gumi

Tonari Gumi was founded in 1973 with the goal of improving the lives of Vancouver's Issei population, many of whom were living desperate lives in the rooming houses of Vancouver's downtown eastside.

The difficulties facing Japanese Canadian seniors had been increased by the long term effects of internment during World War II. In 1942, Japanese Canadians living in Vancouver were uprooted from their homes and jobs and placed in interior work camps. The task of starting their lives over after being released proved overwhelming for many. As the years went by many Issei made their way back to Vancouver and the Powell Street area which had once been known as Japan Town.

With the support of the local Japanese Canadian community and the federal government's Local Initiative Program, Tonari Gumi developed its basic services for seniors. After originally working out of office space provided by the Downtown Eastside Residents Association (DERA), Tonari Gumi opened a drop-in centre at 573 East Hastings in 1975, and developed many of their current programs and services. In 1986 we moved to 378 Powell Street to work more closely with the Japanese Canadian Society for Seniors Housing and the 'Sakura-So' seniors housing project. Our present location, since 2000 is at 511 East Broadway.

Tonari Gumi provides a place where members of the community can drop-in for assistance or participate in a variety of programs. Over the years the drop-in centre has been a meeting place for outside organisations, such as the Powell Street Festival Society and the Japanese Canadian Redress Movement. Today there are karaoke clubs, dance groups and many others who use the space.

In 1995, Tonari Gumi celebrated the drop-in centre's 20th anniversary with an overflowing crowd and speeches by local members of the Japanese Canadian community and BC's Premier at the time, Mike Harcourt. Both a celebration and a time to reflect upon the role that Tonari Gumi played in their lives, the anniversary provided an opportunity for the community to express gratitude for Tonari Gumi's impact in their lives.