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Updates
Find out what is happening at Tonari Gumi and in the community.
Events


~ Kamome Club ~
With grant support from the Frank H. Hori Foundation, Tonari Gumi is collaborating with Kamome Club, a volunteer-based group that supports single-parent families, from June 2026 through June 2027.
Sep 4


Jewish Seniors Alliance of BC
Course registration now OPEN! September 2026 1. Seniors Peer Support Course October 2026 2. Friendly Visiting Course Registration Now Open! Thanks to funding from United Way BC, these training opportunities are being offered to volunteers affiliated with participating community organizations across British Columbia, including Tonari Gumi. Please see below for details of the two courses. Both courses provide training for volunteers who support and play a leadership role in ass
Aug 14


🍓 Japanese Cooking Basics: Strawberry Daifuku Mochi 🍓
Join us for a fun and welcoming hands-on workshop with Sen from Kintoki Sweets! Learn how to make Strawberry Daifuku Mochi while connecting with others in the community. Whether you're new to Japanese sweets or simply love mochi, this class is a great way to learn, create, and enjoy together. This event will be held in English. 📅 Saturday, June 13 🕐 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM 📍 Tonari Gumi, 42 W 8th Ave, Vancouver 💲 $35 👥 Ages 13+ Spaces are limited. Register today: https://wl.do
Jun 2


TG Day Trip to Squamish & Sea to Sky Gondola on June 16th
Join us on Tuesday, June 16 for a one-day bus tour to Squamish and the Sea to Sky Gondola! Enjoy beautiful ocean and mountain scenery while visiting Porteau Cove, Shannon Falls, and the Sea to Sky Gondola. Participants will also have time to enjoy lunch and walk or hike along the Spirit Trail. Schedule: • 7:30 AM — Meet at Royal Oak Station • 7:40 AM — Depart from Royal Oak Station • 8:15 AM — Meet at Tonari Gumi (42 W 8th Ave., Vancouver) • 8:30 AM — Depart from Tonari Gumi
May 28
💛🌸It’s National Volunteer Week! 🌸💛 (April 19-25, 2026)
Volunteers are the heart of Tonari Gumi—you bring our community to life. We’re also getting ready for International Volunteer Year 2026 to IGNITE VOLUNTEERISM! 🔥 Your energy fuels our mission and changes lives every day. Ways our volunteers keep us thriving: 🍱 Kitchen & Meal Programs 🚗 MOW Drivers 🗣️ Program Instructors 🤝 Senior Support & Visiting 🏮 Events & Festivals 💻 Office & Digital Support 🌸 Board & Committees Thank you for your passion and spirit! 🤝✨
Apr 20


TG Social Club: Bus Trip to Tashme / Sunshine Valley
Join us for a special visit to the historic Tashme Internment Site and the Grand Opening of the Tashme Research & Archive Centre. This trip will include lunch, guided tours, and the opening reception. Sites to Visit • Tashme Research & Archive Centre • Tashme Kindergarten Schoolhouse Date Sunday, May 3, 2026 Trip Schedule: Maximum 30 participants (first-come, first-served) 9:30 AM – Depart Tonari Gumi (42 W 8th Ave, Vancouver) 10:05 AM – Pick up at Lougheed Town Centre Statio
Mar 27


AGM 2026 Annual General Meeting
At the AGM, Tonari Gumi needs its members to approve the annual report! The AGM also gives members a chance to vote for policies, direction and Board members, as well as an opportunity to share opinions directly with the Board of Directors. We encourage all members to attend! Date and Time: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM Location: Tonari Gumi, 101-42 West 8th Ave. Vancouver, BC For more information visit: www.tonarigumi.ca/agm
Mar 16


Save the Date! - TG Golf 2026
The date for this year's TG Golf tournament is Saturday July 11, 2026. Registration will open on April 1 through the TG Website. $225 per golfer, discounted $850 for a foursome. We hope to see you again!
Mar 3


TG Social Club: Introduction to Japanese Spring Vegetables
Dear Social Club Members, We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming Social Club workshop: Introduction to Japanese Spring Vegetables This workshop will introduce healthy, easy-to-grow Japanese vegetables and herbs suited for spring. We will: Discuss five key plants Share growing tips Offer simple recipe ideas Provide seeds and seedlings to help you get started The session will also cover Sansai (wild spring greens that can be foraged). A light lunch featuring dishes made
Feb 23


✨ TG Volunteer Lounge (via Zoom) ✨
💬 Chat with fellow volunteers, share ideas, and connect! 📢 Hear about upcoming volunteer opportunities and our plans for 2026. 📅 Monday, Feb 23 | 1:00–2:00 pm 📅 Saturday, Feb 28 | 11:00 am–12:00 pm 💌 Interested? Email programs@tonarigumi.ca to register. 🔗 Zoom link will be sent after registration. 🌟 Whether you’re new or experienced, all volunteers are welcome!
Feb 17


Onigiri making and Learn Easy Travel Japanese
Planning a trip to Japan and want to learn some basic Japanese to communicate—and love onigiri? This small-group workshop introduces simple words and phrases for greetings, shopping, and dining out (restaurant situations), followed by a fun session making popular onigiri. DATE: Saturday, March 7, 2026 TIME: 10:00 - 12:00 noon Venue: Tonari Gumi - Japanese Community Volunteers Association 101 - 42 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1M7 Tel 604-687-2172 www.tonarigumi.ca
Jan 22


Outing: Tamio Wakayama Exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Join us for a special outing to see Tamio Wakayama’s exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Thursday, January 22 , from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm . You may gather at Tonari Gumi at 10:30 am and travel together, or meet us directly at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 11:00 am . Gallery meeting point: Robson St × Howe St entrance. The guided tour will begin at 11:00 am , led by Mayu Takasaki , Tamio Wakayama’s partner, along with Tadafumi Tamura , a Japanese guide for this exhibit
Jan 2
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