“I firmly believe that this house is of historical and literary significance. The built environment of the past is particularly fragile in Vancouver these days given the tremendous population and development pressures that exist. However, this is an occasion when delicate human memory requires the solid, three-dimensional frame of a house to endure and to flourish.”

― Paul Yee, Historian and Author

Your support will help in these ways:

  • $50 will contribute to the monthly honorarium for our writer-in-residence
  • $150 will pay one writer to participate in a shared reading
  • $300 will pay one writer to lead one writing workshop
  • $1,000 will help increase accessibility

Donations to Kogawa House 

Help Historic Joy Kogawa House make its mark – as a literary landmark and a symbol of hope, healing, and reconciliation for all Canadians.

Donate Now!

Historic Joy Kogawa House is a non-profit organization under the BC’s Society Act, with Registered Charity No. 84169 9218 RR0001. Donations from the community remain vital and are used to fund:

  • public events at the house that grow the appreciation of literature,
  • house tours to build public understanding of the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War and its ongoing relevance,
  • author residencies, which further the practice of outstanding Canadian writers and connect them with the local community,
  • the upkeep and preservation of this unique facility of historic and cultural significance.

Click here to make a secure donation via Zeffy.

I encourage you to become a monthly donor. It’s easy, automatic, and supports Historic Joy Kogawa House and all its important activities. And feels good too!

Helen Gowans,
Writer and Poet

Become a Monthly Donor

Click here to join as a monthly donor using your debit/credit card.

You can also donate by preparing a cheque payable to “Historic Joy Kogawa House Society” and mailing it to:

1450 West 64th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6P 2N4

Historic Joy Kogawa House is thankful for the support of our donors. Your one-time or monthly donation gives us the support we can count on to build our residency program and advance our work for community-engaged writing.

Become a Monthly Donor

Click here to join as a monthly donor using your debit/credit card.

You can also donate by preparing a cheque payable to “Historic Joy Kogawa House Society” and mailing it to:

1450 West 64th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6P 2N4

Historic Joy Kogawa House is thankful for the support of our donors. Your one-time or monthly donation gives us the support we can count on to build our residency program and advance our work for community-engaged writing.

I encourage you to become a monthly donor. It’s easy, automatic, and supports Historic Joy Kogawa House and all its important activities. And feels good too!

Helen Gowans,
Writer and Poet

Nancy Ruth Jackman

Lenore Rowntree, Member at large of the Board of Directors at Historic Joy Kogawa House Society
Nancy Ruth is a feminist activist, philanthropist, and former Conservative Senator. The Kogawa bungalow in Marpole, Vancouver, was just days away from destruction in 2006, when Nancy Ruth donated $500,000 to TLC, The Land Conservancy of BC. Her donation enabled The Land Conservancy to buy the house and establish a writers’ residence.

Nancy Ruth’s gift was a tribute to Joy Kogawa and her work. Nancy Ruth remembers feeling incredibly moved at the pain of Obasan, Joy’s award-winning novel about the tragedy of the Second World War Internment of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia. Despite the pain she suffered, Kogawa retains a deep faith in humanity and a belief that reconciliation and hope are still possible, even in the face of terrible adversity. As such, she is an inspiration to writers in residence at Kogawa House.

Frank H. Hori Charitable Foundation

Lenore Rowntree, Member at large of the Board of Directors at Historic Joy Kogawa House Society

The Frank H. Hori Charitable Foundation was established in 1999 by Frank H. Hori, son of Haruye and Zenya Hori, merchants of Japanese goods on Powell Street, interned and sent to the Slocan Internment Camp and later relocated to Regina.

Frank H. Hori was a highly proficient individual with a stellar acumen for business. During his retirement, he became a world traveller and a philanthropist with a deep passion for his cultural roots and heritage.

In 1999, Frank established The Frank H. Hori Charitable Foundation to promote charitable endeavours in general but mainly those aligned with his philanthropic ideals for Japanese culture: a caring society; post-secondary learning; and the honouring of meritorious Canadians of Japanese ancestry for their contributions to Canada.

Discover More About Historic Joy Kogawa House

Consider becoming a member at Historic Joy Kogawa House.

Read about our Current Writer-in-Residence or take a look at our Past Writers.

Learn about the history of the house.

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