July 13, 2009 Visit: JHC Itabashi, Employment of Persons with Mental Disabilities
Training Report - Decent work course
Five participants visited a non profit organization “Joint House Cosmos, Itabashi,” which was established in 1983 to support independent living and social participation of persons with mental disabilities. One of the planning committee members is Board Vice Chairperson of the organization. They have been conducting their activity to provide facilities as the base (House) where any one as a resident exchanges (Joint) with harmony (Cosmos).
At first JICA participants visited the Clubhouse Sun Marina. Board Chairperson of JHC lectured on the outline of the organization, and Chief of welfare department of Itabashi Ward explained the welfare policies, services, and activities for persons with mental disabilities.
The members of Sun Marina cook their lunch everyday for themselves. When they plan the lunch menu they pay attention to the nutritional balance and display the foods.
Members specially cooked lunch for JICA participants and they enjoyed eating together.
In the afternoon, participants visited two sheltered workshops, “Akatsuka(means name of the place)” and “Cosmos (means name of flower as well as harmony)”.
At Akatsuka the members produce and sell pastries such as cakes, jellies and cookies and they also operate tea room. At Cosmos the members not only operate restaurant but they deliver lunch boxes to the elderly people living in the neighborhood. They can learn vocational skills, at the same time they get opportunities to interact with people in the community through those activities.
The member who has been belonging to Cosmos for 14 years said keeping good relationship with other members is a key for him to work comfortably. The other member said that he could keep regular habits and he became healthier, since he started to come to Sun Marina everyday.
Participants were impressed and understood the characteristics of JHC and importance of networking with community people.
