12953 Branford Street
Pacoima, California 91331
Contact: Paul Jonokuchi
(818) 899-1989

Map

Directions

Sports and Fitness

Adult Basketball
Monday & Wednesday- 9:00pm

Aikido
Tuesday & Thursday- 9:00pm

Body Dynamics
Tuesday- 9:00am

Bon Dancercise
Friday- 7:00pm

Bowling
Thursday- 9:30am

Exercise
Wednesday- 9:00am

Judo
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday- 7:00pm

Tai Chi
Monday- 9:00am to 10:00am

Entertainment

Bridge
Monday & Wednesday- noon to 4:00pm

Mah Jong
Tuesday- 12:30pm

Card Playing
Tuesday- 10:00am

Hana Fuda
Friday- 12:30pm

Arts & Culture

Arts & Crafts
Monday- 9:00am to noon

Ceramics
Tuesday- 9:00am

Japanese Calligraphy
Thursday- 7:00pm

Ikebana-Ikenobo
Saturday- 9:00am

Nihon Buyo Dancing
Fridays- 1:00pm

Quilting
Tuesday- 9:00am

Taiko
Thursday- 6:00pm
Saturday- 11:30am

Music & Dance

Ballroom Dancing
Thursday- 7:00pm

Chorus
Friday- 10:30am

Guitar
Tuesday- 10:00am

Karaoke
Thursday- 10:30am (twice a month)

Line Dancing
Thursday- 8:30am

Mandolin
Friday- 8:30am

Ukulele/ Harmonica
Friday- 9:00am

Call the Community Center at (818) 899-1989 for information on the following:

Golf Club, Fishing Club, Cooking Class, Bonsai, JACL, VFW Post 4140, SFV Senior Club, Gardeners' Association, Japanese Language School, Youth Athletic Basketball, Golf, and Baseball, and computer access.

Where in the world is the San Fernando Valley Japanese-American Community Center (SFVJACC)? Some say it is in farmland country. Others say it is near Magic Mountain. Both answers are correct. An easy way to find the valley is to look over the hills just north of UCLA.

Here's how it all started. Just after World War II, the Issei and Nisei felt the need to maintain their Japanese heritage of culture and language in their children.

To meet the needs of the growing Japanese American community in the Valley, the SFVJACC was incorporated in 1951. Then in 1953, the SFVJACC raised $30,000 through various fund drives, personal donations and pledges to purchase 4 1/2 acres of property with hopes to build a permanent center. Thus a permanent location was established in Pacoima.

The members of the Japanese American community supported the dream of a community center through generous monetary contributions. By 1958, the land debt was completely paid off due to large pledges and donations. In 1959, the SFVJACC treasury reported an excess of $20,000.

A building committee was formed to plan the creation of a $150,000 community center through a joint venture of the community center board, the Japanese school, and the Judo dojo. The structures on this property also included a gymnasium, a commercial size kitchen and meeting rooms.

A unique effort to expand the facilities was made possible through a donation by the Lockheed Corporation. Lockheed's 7,000 square foot cafeteria was moved to the grounds of the SFVJACC. The building was then modified to include a social hall capable of seating 400 people, a lobby for the Human Services staff, and a large conference room.

This community center now serves 18 organizations and more than 1,000 families. It also provides a meeting place for the small groups with a focus on golf, dance, fishing, Japanese calligraphy, the JACL, youth athletics, senior citizens, landscape gardeners, aikido, karate, credit union, VFW, Taiko, and many more. The vision of promoting the Japanese heritage is now involving the Sansei. By working together and enjoying ourselves at the same time, the SFVJACC is truly an important place. So the next time you are on your way to UCLA or Magic Mountain, stop by and check us out.