Dream for Kids Japan is involved in a wide variety of activities to support children in different parts of the country.
Since it began, Dream for Kids Japan has held an annual fundraising dinner, raising tens of millions of yen for disadvantaged children every year. We are supported by a number of generous and dedicated donors who share our vision.
Donations are always welcome. The funds we raise are used in many ways to benefit children.
Support for Children at a Foster Care Facility in Yokohama
We have arranged for a hairstylist, from a hair salon in Tokyo, to visit the foster care home that we support in Yokohama once a month. She cuts and styles hair for the children for free — and even acts as a confidant for many of the children. The work she does is an important part of helping the children to build confidence and self-esteem, an opportunity they had not previously been given at the facility.
We are also working to give the children an academic advantage by providing them with free Berlitz English lessons. An instructor visits once a week to teach four classes. This gives them a good foundation in the English language and encourages them to become interested in the subject even before they are required to take it in school. We have observed that these lessons create in the kids a desire to study and believe this will help to improve overall academic performance as they go through the school system.
Additionally, we conduct porcelarts (porcelain dishware decorating) and introductory cooking classes for the kids, which are helping them to discover their interests and potential.
Employment Services Projects
Dream for Kids is engaged in various efforts to support young adults leaving foster care at the age of 18. When these individuals are entering this new stage, they often face a range of difficulties finding employment and housing. On case by case bases, the organization helps these individuals find employment that aligns with their dreams and goals. See our Success Stories to learn more about these projects.
After-school Snack Program
In partnership with a local bakery, Dream for Kids supports an ongoing program that gives children in foster care the opportunity to learn practical skills while also enjoying the fruits of their labor. They receive stipends to enjoy after school snacks from the bakery, while they also have the chance to work at the bakery, learning skills that may help them receive employment when they leave the facility.
Music Therapy in Setagaya
On March 26, 2022, the certified NPO Kokoro no Oshaberi Ongaku Kobo hosted the event “5th Setagaya Music Therapy Live: Our Graduation Ceremony,” as part of the Red Feather Community Fund Grant Project. Dream for Kids Japan proudly supported this heartwarming musical gathering for children and young people, returning for the first time in three years. With the theme “Let’s Take Back Our Song!”, the concert featured vibrant band performances, percussion ensembles, and sign language communication, offering a rich and engaging experience. We were honored to support the joyful and energetic efforts of all participants. Dream for Kids Japan remains committed to supporting children through a variety of meaningful initiatives.
Support for Children with Physical Disabilities
Together with another NPO, we provide funding and assistance for Japanese children with medical issues and physical disabilities. Read our success stories to see examples of how we have been able to help children in Japan to keep dreaming.
Past Program
Support for Children in Tohoku
Every August, in collaboration with another NPO, we send children affected by the disaster in Fukushima to a summer camp for two weeks, where they are provided with caring, emotional support. In 2018, we sent 28 children to a camp in Okinawa called Kuminosato.
We also support a foster care facility in Sendai, an area seriously affected by the earthquake. Through a special charity event for families that we put on in 2011 — which featured an ice cream bar, a movie theatre, and an auction — we were able to raise ¥6 million for this facility. We are determined to provide the necessary support for children, whatever their circumstances, in order to see them reach their full potential.
Being so invested in encouraging children’s strengths, we have provided financial support for a promising young soccer player from the facility in Sendai to put him on track to enter the Junior J-League.
Currently, we are expanding our focus to include funding for a school for children with domestic problems in Tokyo. We are also teaming with a food bank to provide food for children whose families are unable to feed them sufficiently.
We are looking to set up a scholarship for disadvantaged children who want to go to university or a trade school after they leave high school.
Success Stories
Dream for Kids exists to make a meaningful difference, over the long-term, in as many children’s lives as possible.
As we strive to inspire kids to dream — and work toward achieving their dreams — it is good to know that our efforts truly have an impact. Here are just a few examples of successes we’ve seen.
Kei
Kei is a young man who has been battling complications from leukemia since birth. Throughout his life, he has had to undergo many operations and take many new medications. As a result of his condition, stiffness in his arms can make even simple tasks — such as getting dressed — impossible, and he requires weekly dialysis.
Our support has enabled him to attend university and get a job at a publicly-listed company in Tokyo, where he works in the marketing department.
At the 2017 Dream for Kids fundraiser, Kei gave a speech. He talked about the progress he had made and expressed his deep gratitude to all of the attendees for the many years of support he had received from them.
Here is an excerpt:
“I want to thank everybody for supporting me,” he said. “One thing I’m happy about is the fact that I’m now making my own money by working … I’m very proud that when I go out to dinner with my mother, I can pick up the check.
“I’ve taken a step forward — I’m working and I’m very proud to be where I am,” he added. “I hope that you will be proud of me as I continue to get older.”
Full version video
Sara
We support Sara, a young woman who has had to battle childhood leukemia, and has twice undergone bone-marrow transplants. She dreams of being a pâtissière, and we have been able to assist in sending her to a baking school (the sweets course) to help her to realize her goal. After completing all the relevant classes, she started working at a retailer to support herself, then began attending ABC Cooking School to learn how to make bread and pastries, something that she has now mastered. She has since baked cookies, cakes, and bread for one of our fundraisers in the kitchen of the hotel where the event is held.
Sara has this to say about the support she has been given through Dream for Kids:
Thank you very much for everything you do for me.
About two years ago, Dream for Kids gave me the opportunity to attend classes at L’ecole Vantan, a pâtissière school in Tokyo. There, I had the chance to make cakes and sell them. I also got to know many of the people who were studying with me on the Café Course. There were, of course, some challenges, but it was a lot of fun.
Now I’m attending ABC Cooking Studio. I’m not only continuing to learn how to make cakes, I’m also learning how to bake different kinds of bread. I believe my skills at making bread and cakes are improving, and I am looking forward to mastering all the necessary techniques.
I love baking and hope to learn a lot more.
Thank you again.
Sara Toami