West Valley JACL

This text is taken from the Daruma Festival program.

The japanese Amercan Citizens League (JACL) dates back to the late 1920's and was formed to oppose the fierce anti-Asian sentiment that existed at the time. The mission of the national JACL is to continue to be a champion of civil rights and to oppose racial discrimination.

The West Valley Chapter of the JACL was founded in 1970 and is composed of three groups: the Main Chapter, the Senior Club and Next Generation. In 1973, a residence on Teresita Drive in San Jose was purchased for the use of general chapter activities and to house the Sneior Center.

The Senior Center provides a variety of services to the members of its Senior Club. The center has three part-time paid staff persons and numerous volunteers. The center runs a weekly lunch program, monthly bus trips, provides transportation for shopping and doctor visits, crafts programs and also provides limited emergency assistance. These services are provided at no or nominal cost to the seniors. The main funding sources include the annual Daruma Festival and other benefit fund-raisers.

The West Valley JACL is a nonprofit public benefit corporation in the State of California and has Section 501(c)(3) status under the United States Internal Revenue Code.

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