Teens to Help 2011 Earthquake, Tsunami Survivors in Japan

Ten Oak Park teens next week will travel to Saitama, Japan to help families struggling with the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami that hit the area over two years ago, according to a news release from the West Cook YMCA. 

The teens will represent the Y, working through the Saitama YMCA's Big Heart Project, according to the release.

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Jan Pate, president and CEO of the West Cook YMCA said in a statement: “This initiative is a unique learning opportunity for youth to expand their worldview, and is a wonderful example of the YMCA’s global reach... We see this entire service learning project as one which will help mentor these young people to future positions of leadership, and help them to fully appreciate the value of service to other."

During their two-week trip, the West Cook YMCA team will spend time in Saitama, outside Tokyo, and travel to nearby Sendai, where the 2011 earthquake and tsunami hit the hardest and caused massive destruction. The Sendai YMCA was a place of refuge for many tsunami survivors, according to the release.

“The West Cook YMCA is thrilled that a Service Learning Team is able to travel to Japan again this year and provide much needed aid,” said Elena Brewer, Teen Coordinator. “As we did last year, we plan to work alongside a Sendai farmer whose crop was washed out and farmlands destroyed by ocean water from the tsunami.”

The Japanese farmer works with volunteers from around the world, including other YMCAs, to ship in healthy soil, build greenhouses and bring back farming to the area, said Exchange Program Assistant Katrina Brundage. Proceeds from his crop sales are being donated back to the Sendai community to assist in continuing tsunami and earthquake relief work, clearing debris and building new roads, she added.

On July 26, two days following their return flight from Japan, the West Cook YMCA Service Learning Team will welcome a group of 15 teens from the Saitama, Japan YMCA who will spend the following two weeks, until August 9, hosted by West Cook YMCA families.

The project has partnered with several local business, including, American Artworks Gallery, House Red Vinotecca, Mancini’s Café and The Book Table, according to the release.

The West Cook YMCA teens have raised $31,000, just over three-fourths of their monetary goal needed to travel. 

The West Cook YMCA Service Learning Team continues to accept donations to help them reach their goal at email: service.learning@westcookymca.org.

The West Cook YMCA Service Learning Team includes:

• Rana Anene.  15, OPRF High School
• Kamille Brashear, 17, OPRF High School
• Franklin Buczkowski, 14, Percy Julian Middle School
• Charles Cole, 14, Percy Julian Middle School
• Niara Holder, 15, St. Joseph High School, Westchester
• Mariko Kaczkowski, 16, OPRF High School
• Jacob Molho, 14, Percy Julian Middle School
• Amanda Seltzer, 15, OPRF High School
• Anwar Thornton, 14, Percy Julian Middle School
• Siena Vietti, 15, OPRF High School
• Elena Brewer, West Cook YMCA Teen Coordinator
• Katrina Brundage, West Cook YMCA Service Learning Exchange Program Assistant