The Bridge: JCI Heritage Center                                                                                          See what we are up to 

In 2008, a group of volunteers envisioned a center where people could bridge the generations and bridge their understanding and knowledge of the Japanese American cultural heritage so that its legacy would continue into the future.  This was the beginning of “The Bridge: JCI Heritage Center” at the GVJCI.

The Bridge: JCI Heritage Center is located on the 2nd floor of the JCI Building, where there is an extensive library of books on Japanese and Japanese American literature, culture and history, in both English and Japanese.  Another feature is the Bridge’s tokonoma display of various historical, cultural, or community interest themed artifacts. The Bridge's public programs further explore topics of culture, history, identity, creative writing, crafts, and much more.

The Bridge: JCI Heritage Center is young, but has already presented many past projects, with future ones in store.

Some past programs include:

• Book events, featuring notable Japanese American authors
• Japanese American Veterans program for youth
• Symposium on the history of the Kurata Ranch
• “Healthier Lifestyle” workshop
• College application essay-writing preparation workshop
• JCI Carnival book sale
• Japanese American baseball past and present
• Japanese traditional arts workshops
• Bon-odori classes

The Bridge is run by volunteers, and donations help support the cultural, historical, and educational programs hosted by the Bridge.  With a minimum donation of $1.00, interested individuals can become “Friends of the Bridge” and borrow books from the Bridge library collection.  Members who join at the $5.00 level will receive a Bridge tote bag, and at the $10.00 level, members receive a Bridge t-shirt.

To become a "Freind of the Bridge", click here to donwload the form.

Click here to see our circulation policies.

The Bridge planning committee meets monthly, and its meetings are open for “Friends of the Bridge” to attend and participate.  We welcome any input, feedback, and future program ideas.  For more information, call the JCI Office (310) 324-6611 or email .