e Keiro Garden Porject

Nikkei Concerns: Seattle Keiro Garden Project
Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Garden Project?

The Garden at Seattle Keiro is paramount to fulfilling our mission to enrich the lives of our elders in an environment
that respects and honors their culture. The Garden provides tranquil outdoor spaces for our residents and their
families to visit, have quiet reflection, enjoy the natural environment, work on physical rehabilitation and ongoing exercise,
and for the broader community to gather and interact in a peaceful, culturally significant space. The Garden is a visible
symbol of our preparation for the future, creating a permanent space that reflects the highest possible care for our
residents while also serving as a resource and gathering place for the greater Seattle community.

Nikkei Concerns offers much more than a skilled nursing facility for the elderly; the Garden reflects all that our
organization is, and will continue to be for both the Nikkei and beyond.

Q2. How does the Garden fit with the Nikkei Concerns mission?

The Garden is essential to helping our residents feel at home and at peace with their environment. It is also a critical
aspect of healthful rehabilitation and regular, safe, and entertaining exercise. The Garden is also part of
our vision, demonstrating the legacy of our elders and the kizuna (bond) we share with our children and the future.
The Garden is a place to honor the past while offering a tranquil setting for reflection and interaction across
multiple generations.

Q3. What are the features of the Garden Project?

Smoothly paved walk-ways and courtyard for physical therapy and rehabilitation of residents, including those
with walkers and wheelchairs.
Circular walking path through natural landscape to promote exercise by residents
Benches and seating areas for residents, staff, and community members to meet and gather with
their families for socializing or reflection
Lush greenery and native plant-life to brighten the landscape and foster nature year-round
Water feature offering peace and tranquility to our urban location
Building modifications to make the garden space visible, enjoyable, and accessible from the interior – the
existing building will be opened up to the exterior by means of newly designed windows
Thoughtful integration of interior and exterior spaces with folding glass window-doors and creation of vistas
and views that transform with the time of day and the seasons
Removal of unsightly raw space on current site. The garden that had been on this site since ____ was
modified to allow for the day-care program. When that program was transitioned into the intergenerational
continuing education opportunities we now offer, the landscape was not addressed, and has remained
a barren open space.
Maximum utilization of our central Seattle location to attract and serve any individual wanting to pay
respect to Japanese American heritage and values, offer opportunities for outreach events to
those not otherwise connected to or aware of Nikkei Concerns
Increased visibility and stature within the neighborhood and Seattle community
Affiliation with prominent members of the Seattle design community

Q4. Why is this so important?

For all the reasons outlined above, we believe the Garden is essential to our ability to provide the highest quality of care
to our residents and to position our organization for the future. In addition, numerous studies have shown the
value that garden spaces bring to the overall health and well-being of the elderly. Here are links to some of the
research studies if you would like to learn more:

Q5. Will the residents be able to participate in upkeep of the garden?

The focus of this particular Garden is to provide a place for walking, visiting, and reflecting. While gardening
can be a therapeutic activity for many people, we believe that a more formal landscaped space best meets our
needs at this time. We continue to explore ways to help our family stay active and engaged,
both onsite and through Nikkei Horizons.

Q6. Why are we starting this project now?

The Garden has been in our plans for many years now, ever since the play space for the daycare was removed.
Our outdoor spaces are underutilized by residents, because the current structure and configuration do not
meet resident’s needs. We have been working with renowned landscape architect Scott Murase, famed
architect Rick Sundberg, and civil engineer Ralph Iboshi who have committed to making this project a reality by
donating their time and expertise. We are very fortunate these talented individuals have realized the need the
Garden fills, and are willing to collaborate to make it a reality. In addition, we are able to save significant funds
through their generosity, so working with their schedule is critical to having the best garden we can.

Q7. What is the total goal for the Garden Project?

The total goal is $500,000.

Q8. What is the project timeline? When will I be able to enjoy the garden?

We broke ground on September 19, 2011, and are following an ambitious but achievable schedule to complete the garden
by early-December, 2011. While we will miss some of the lovely fall season, we will be completely in synch for Spring rebirth
and renewal in our new outdoor spaces! We plan for the courtyard and garden to be a year-round oasis so you can expect to start enjoying it in mid-December.

Q9. How will Nikkei Concerns pay for ongoing maintenance of the garden after it is built?

Although the existing outdoor space is underutilized and doesn’t meet the needs of our residents, there are
still costs to maintain it in its current state. The designers have been thoughtful in creating spaces that are
well-suited to the northwest environment and have low-upkeep costs, so we will be able to fund the maintenance
out of current operations as we do already.

Q10. Why should I support the Garden?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a true community asset. The Garden deserves your support because of
how it will benefit the residents at Seattle Keiro and your gift makes it all possible. Because you believe in the value
of quality care for our elders, and in honoring the heritage of our Japanese American community, please give as
generously as you can. In the future, Nikkei Concerns will have the chance to reach out to an even broader
family in the Seattle area though the resource that the garden offers.
Your gift will allow young and old generations to share stories and joyful time together in a unique and timeless garden.
Throughout our history, we have remained strong because of our shared values and strong kizuna (bond).
Join us with pride in creating this dynamic resource for our family and friends. This garden will represent our history,
our future, and our solidarity through it all for generations. There is no other opportunity like this to participate
in a lasting tribute to those who came before us, and remain present for those who come after us, than to
make a gift in support of the garden. Your gift creates a permanent legacy.

Q11. Why is this so important?

Nikkei Concerns is a leader in providing quality, enriched care to the lives of older adults. We are also the only facility
in Seattle that focuses on culturally-sensitive care for the Nikkei community. Reputable studies, such as those linked
above, have shown that outdoor spaces are critical to providing for the health and welfare of the elderly, so this
garden is crucial to our ability to meet the needs of our residents.
We also know that the Nikkei Concerns can be much more for the Puget Sound region than elder-care.
This garden positions us for a broader role in the area as a gathering place, event facility, and space for people
from many backgrounds to reflect and pay homage to their heritage.

Q12. What happens if you don’t reach the fundraising goal?

Based on 35 years of experience with the Nikkei Concerns community, we believe that the goal is fully achievable and
that our community will recognize the benefits and importance of this project and respond generously.
We recognize that not every donor will be able to write a check today, so we are offering the ability to pay off pledges
by June 30, 2012. We are able to fund the costs of construction out of operations until all pledges have been paid,
without sacrificing the services we are currently committed to offering.

Q13. Isn’t it risky to start building the Garden before all the money is raised?

Yes, it was a risky decision, but it was also risky not to start. We owe it to our residents to give them useful, soothing
places to enjoy the environment; and we can’t afford to not take advantage of the generosity of the prominent
designers who see the value of this project and are donating their vision and service to us.
The Nikkei Concerns leadership carefully reviewed all of our options and unanimously determined that going forward
at this time is the right thing for our community. We have made tough decisions about how to manage our finances
prudently and carefully, and the Garden has always been part of those considerations because it is such a priority
for our community.

Q14. How is fundraising going?

As of September 26, 2011, we have already raised over $219,000 (44%) of this total through the generosity of our community members. This is a tremendous show of support from our community, and we believe it is only a small indication of the depths of support our community is poised to offer, as we are just getting started! In addition, 100% of the Board of Trustees have made financial commitments. Our timeline is short, but we need everyone’s support so this garden can truly be a reflection of the solidarity of our community and the respect we all have for our cultural heritage.

Q15. How will this fundraising affect the other funding priorities of NC?

Because we are raising gifts specifically for the Garden to cover all project costs, the operating budget of NC
will not be impacted. That is why your gift is so critical,
so we can continue to focus on our mission. We have thoughtfully realigned our budget over the past year to address
the cut-backs in our funding from Washington State, and are in a strong financial position with respect to our operating
budget. This is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a special impact and leave a lasting legacy through the garden
project, and the full amount of your gift will be directed to this project.

Q16. This sounds like a fantastic project! How can I give?

You can write a check, or donate publicly-traded securities. Gifts must be received by July 31, 2012. Giving before
December 31, 2011 allows Nikkei Concerns maximum flexibility, and greater ability to plan and budget.
Consider giving together with other members of your family to honor a loved one, or to increase the overall impact of
your gift. Naming opportunities are available at select gift levels, and donor recognition is provided on a publicly
visible, architect-designed donor wall for all gifts of $1,000 and above, recognizing levels of $2,500, $5,000, $10,000,
$25,000, and higher.