Activities

Overview of three programs under the umbrella of NPO Celia Circle:

Stepping Stones Program for Children
Intended for nursery school, kindergarten and physically/mentally challenged children in Miyagi and other prefectures, this program seeks to foster concentration, creativity, imagination, action, poise and a spirit of challenge through activities using language and cultural studies, musical instruments, body movement, computers and crafts. As an adjunct to this program, training courses are also conducted for nursery school and kindergarten teachers to provide them with skills to implement these activities in their own classrooms.

The Menorah Leadership Skills Program
This program seeks to provide high school students in Miyagi and other prefectures with the knowledge, techniques and tools to forge their own future and that of their community, and instill in them the kinds of positive emotions and experiences that will create an upward spiral in their lives.

Heart to Heart Program
This program seeks to assist Miyagi Prefecture former temporary housing residents who are now in public housing to reintegrate into the community by helping them to overcome stress, anxiety, loneliness, PTSD and other consequences of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Program details

Stepping Stones Program for Children
Intended for nursery school, kindergarten physically/mentally challenged and other children, this program provides various therapeutic education activities. Music, art, language (English, Indonesia and Hebrew) and movement based activities are used to foster concentration, creativity, imagination, action, balance and a spirit of challenge. Regular sessions are also held with parents and teachers to provide assistance and training in support of their children. For the past several years, Celia Dunkelman has been holding these classes twice a month for kindergarten children and teachers, and once a month for nursery school and physically/ mentally challenged children and their parents. In addition to this, various events are held throughout the year.
Starting this year, after being approached by many parents, teachers and community members, the program has been extended to elementary school children in the community who also want to participate in extracurricular activities, but cannot afford to do so or do not have access to such programs.

Menorah Leadership Skills Program
Through various activities, this program challenges young people to discover within themselves the ability to lead individually and unite as a group. Entering its fourth year, this program is designed for 10-16 high school first year students in Miyagi and other prefectures, and is held annually from June through March. It consists of one 3-hour session per month, and covers such topics as: international thinking, leadership, giving presentations, brainstorming, skills training internship at Tokyo Hilton, among others, in order to realize one’s growth and potential. The trainers include Celia Dunkelman and high school teachers provided with the support of the Watari Township Department of Education, with additional support provided by previous graduates of the program. In addition to which, other experts are invited to participate depending on the content of the program.
Starting in 2015, a travel abroad program, “Leadership in Action,” was begun to underscore what was learned in the Menorah Leadership Skills Program, as well as provide a hands on experience of the world outside Japan. 1,000,000 yen was privately donated in 2015 and used for a 10-day visit to Israel for Leadership youngsters.

Heart to Heart Program
Intended mostly for the elderly, this program features drawing, sewing, cooking, music, craftwork, cultural studies and other therapeutic activities designed to open these traumatized people to the outside world, lift their hearts, bring them peace of mind and a sense of self-worth. For the last five years, Celia Dunkelman has been holding these workshops once a month and various events in several communities and temporary housing facilities, which starting this year will be at five or more public housing locations.
In addition to this, an annual event is planned that will include members from all three programs.

Outcomes

Stepping Stones Program for Children
Outside of the program, many of the children lacked self-confidence and individuality, and, because they were constantly subject to rules in school, feared criticizing others and being criticism themselves. The teachers are also constrained by the curriculum enforced by the Ministry of Education. As a result of the various activities, the children began to show individuality, initiative, poise, and take on challenges without shyness or fear of failing. Both parents and teachers remarked on the big changes that could be seen in the children inside and outside of school.
Between 2012~2016:

0ver 2,000 teachers and 13,500 children have been participated in the program.
Donated musical instruments, electric piano, books and artworks.

Outside of the program, many of the children lacked self-confidence and individuality, and, because they were constantly subject to rules in school, feared criticizing others and being criticism themselves. The teachers are also constrained by the curriculum enforced by the Ministry of Education. As a result of the various activities, the children began to show individuality, initiative, poise, and take on challenges without shyness or fear of failing. Both parents and teachers remarked on the big changes that could be seen in the children inside and outside of school.

Menorah Leadership Skills Program
Having learned in the program that giving a sense of fulfillment to others can be a source of personal satisfaction, the students’ dread of talking in front of people was transformed into joy. In a word, they “sparkled.” Free of embarrassment, they became capable of making presentations that could make people laugh or cry. It could be said that their experiences at the Hilton Tokyo, and the leadership skills they learned had a truly life altering impact on their lives.
Between 2013~2016:

50 students graduated the program
Hilton Tokyo provided free accommodations, food and training for the annual 4-day Internship Program in Tokyo.
In 2015, 1,000,000 yen was privately donated as a travel subsidy to allow selected third year graduates to go overseas.
Having learned in the program that giving a sense of fulfillment to others can be a source of personal satisfaction, the students’ dread of talking in front of people was transformed into joy. In a word, they “sparkled.” Free of embarrassment, they became capable of making presentations that could make people laugh or cry. It could be said that their experiences at the Hilton Tokyo, and the leadership skills they learned had a truly life altering impact on their lives.

Heart to Heart Program
After the earthquake and the devastation that followed in its wake, the temporary housing residents were surrounded by the needy and distressed, and could feel no joy. However, through the various activities provided, they began to focus on the future, and became more active in their lives and interactions with others and the community to which they belonged. With a renewed sense of value, they became both stronger and more resilient.
Between 2012~2016:

0ver 8,000 people have participated in the program.
Donated various musical instruments.
Donated food for 450 people and 1,000 cookies for children annually.