Natsuko Okazaki, a CSI MSW alumna, has won this year’s Kotaro Barns Award from JAMSNET (Japanese Medical Support Network) for her volunteer work.

Chiya Ikemi, MSW, CAC, Director of Japanese American Social Services, Inc. (JASSI), where Natsuko volunteered in the summer of 2020 and now interns, said, “Natsuko offered her time to volunteer at our organization before starting her social work internship. This offer turned out to be a great help with us since one of our staff left her position in April. With Natsuko’s help, we were able to handle ever-increasing Hotline inquiries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Natsuko has had helped us with various area in the organization, which led me to consider nominating Natsuko for the Kotaro Barnes Award.”

By Terry Mares