Nihonmachi Little Friends (NLF) celebrated its 35th Anniversary with a sushi social on Friday, November 19th, at 1830 Sutter Street in San Francisco’s Japantown.  The evening featured a special performance by award-winning artists Brenda Wong Aoki, Mark Izu, and KK Aoki-Izu, on the newly-renovated Noh stage in the Tateuchi Auditorium, and the honoring of NLF teachers and staff. 

NLF recently announced that it met its capital campaign goal of $2.2 million to fund the purchase and renovation of the historic 1830 Sutter Street building.  Formerly known as the Japanese YWCA, the building was entrusted to NLF as part of the settlement of a community-supported lawsuit to save the building.

NLF is now embarking on a $300,000 Preservation Fund to ensure the continued upkeep of the Sutter Street facility for use by future generations, and to honor the legacy of the Issei women who built it.  “With the help of our community friends and supporters, we are confident that we can accomplish this goal,” said NLF Executive Director Cathy Inamasu. 

Once a single preschool with 15 children, NLF has grown into a premier nonprofit childcare center with three sites, serving over 200 children annually with ages ranging from 2 ½ -12 years.  Over 3,000 children have attended NLF since it was founded in 1975.  Its affordable Japanese bilingual and multicultural programs attract a broad range of families from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.

“NLF isn’t just childcare, it’s a community,” said Maria Matsu, a parent of NLF alumni and long time supporter.  “At NLF, you just develop personal connections that are truly special.  The sense of community and caring at NLF transcends the traditional childcare experience.” 

After thirty-five years, NLF has become a model program, bringing families into the community and San Francisco’s historic Japantown on an ongoing basis.All proceeds from the evening went toward the Preservation Fund and continued work of NLF.  This event was made possible with the support of Union Bank and the San Francisco Foundation.  For more information about the Preservation Fund and future events, contact NLF at (415) 922-8898 or nlfchildcare@yahoo.com. 

You can help

Please help us restore this magnificent building to the community, allowing it to serve as it was originally intended: to provide a living, learning environment for tomorrow’s leaders. There are many way to help:  

Click here to learn more about the historical background of 1830 sutter.
Click here to learn more about milestones of the capital campaign.

Make your online donation to Preservation Fund now.
Click here to make a cash or stock gift

Please contact NLF at (415) 922-8898 or nlfchildcare@yahoo.com to demonstrate your support of NLF and its Preservation Fund today!

last updated as of January 4, 2011

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