UCLA

Gaman is a value associated with the endurance of individuals of Japanese descent unjustly incarcerated by the U.S. War Relocation Authority during World War II; this sentiment rings familiar in the COVID-19 pandemic, throughout which the public has been urged to remain resilient despite social determinants of health-related issues disproportionately impacting cultural communities. This study focuses on the culturally tailored programs and services of three Little Tokyo-based organizations, with five “Critical Factors” that enabled effective organizing during the COVID-19 pandemic identified through interviews with twelve key staff members: Trust, Financial Capacity, Physical Space, Organizational Capacity, and Legacy Investment. These findings shed light on the strengths of and challenges faced by Little Tokyo community organizers, emphasize the unique role of community-centered organizations in addressing health needs, and inform a conceptual model for Community-Centered Health—a model that advocates for building systems of care rooted in trusting relationships and predicated upon gratitude.