Interview with the Apron Worker!
~Mr. Kato, Total Coordinator of SELP Mori, Sakae Ward, Yokohama~
This time, I, Fujino, will be visiting the Mori-no-Kai Social Welfare Organization in Sakae Ward, Yokohama.
We visited "SELP Mori," a facility for people with disabilities.
SELP's Mori is involved in various activities based on the philosophy of "enabling people with disabilities to become independent."
For example, each department is divided into independent production activities, making bread, sweets, tofu, noodles, natto, croquettes, etc. every day.
They actually sell them themselves. For the past few years, they have been using aprons for this purpose.
This time, we spoke to Kiyoko Kato, total coordinator for SELP Mori, about various topics.
- Hello! Thank you for joining us today.
First of all, "People with disabilities can acquire the ability to become independent"
Did you encounter any difficulties in putting this idea into practice?
"Until now, people have thought that there is not much that people with disabilities can do. But the chairman of this organization has made me think that there are things that people with disabilities can do."
- Really? That's great.
"Many people with autism are obsessed with various things,
By applying this passion to their work, they were able to grow as craftsmen.
Because of this commitment, they learn their jobs diligently by repeating the same tasks every day.
They know all the recipes and measurements for making udon noodles. So I leave it to them to do what they can.”
- As you mentioned earlier, there are jobs available such as making noodles, tofu, bread, and sweets, but can people choose the job they want?
"Yeah, most people are like that.
At the end of the year, we ask you to tell us what you would like to do next year.
In response to this, people responded by saying things like, "I want to make sweets" or "I'd like to make noodles."
Then, each staff member will meet and make a decision.
If they are unable to do so, a staff member will offer to help and take their hand.
Sticking a manufacturing date sticker on a bag of candy is also a respectable job.
So our job as staff is to think about what each person can do and then organize the work. And then help them grow."
- You use an apron when you go out pulling a cart to sell tofu in the community, but what do other people say about it?
"The response has been extremely good.
All the users are so cool!
So, after I started putting on an apron and going out to sell tofu,
More and more people are saying they want to work as a street vendor!"
- I see. I'm glad to hear that!
thank you."
After our talk, we went to sell the tofu together! (From the left in the photo: Takahashi-san, Sawade-san, Mori-san,
Michibata-san, coordinator Kato-san, Kato-san)
Mr. Kato remembered the names of his regular customers.
Apparently he is the poster boy for the tofu shop.
It seems that this was the first time in a year that Mr. Mori participated in the tofu sales.
He was a wonderful trumpet player, showing no signs of a one-year break.
Michibata-san took over from Kato-san and pulled the cart halfway through the journey. Despite it being a heavy job for a woman, she worked hard.
Employee Takahashi said, "I only help out when it's time to pay the bill."
He said.
When the local people hear the sound of the trumpet, they come out of their homes to buy tofu, bread, etc. Everyone was happy, saying that the food made by Mr. Mori of SELP is really delicious.
The tofu and bread sold out midway through, and customers who arrived later looked really disappointed.
I felt that this kind of symbiosis with the local community was a truly wonderful activity.
It was a valuable experience. Thank you very much!
●Social Welfare Corporation Mori no Kai's website
http://www.morinokai.or.jp/
●SELP・Mori's Homepage
http://www.morinokai.or.jp/selp.htm
~Mr. Taguchi, staff member at Morizou Izakaya in Sakae Ward, Yokohama~
After speaking with Mr. Mori from SELP, we visited Morizo, the izakaya restaurant that Mr. Mori from SELP runs.
We spoke to staff member Yuko Taguchi.
(Mr. Kato, who was selling goods from a handcart, guided me to the shop.)
Here too, customers are using aprons made by Anything.
About 2 minutes walk from the north exit of Ofuna Station (Kasama side).
It's located just across the road from the bus terminal, so it's very easy to access!
-Thank you for your help today!
I'd like to start by asking you about the Morizou business, which is located away from the headquarters of SELP and Mori-san.
What kind of work do you do?
"We, the staff, have a role to play in bringing out the potential of individuals, so by creating the opportunity for that,
We strive to help you reach your full potential.
- That's great!
"It's not necessarily the case that they have to be able to do things in the same way as able-bodied people.
Saying "Thank you" to the customers who came,
Saying "I'm sorry" when you fail
It's not like you have to be able to do calculations or anything.
We operate in the city,
You will be tested in that respect.
Because it's work, it's not all fun and games, it's also very hard work.
Sometimes things don't go well.
I try my best, but there are a lot of things that just don't work out.
Those kinds of things do happen, but I think the highlight is how you respond to those situations."
- Finally, one more question: Why did you decide to wear an apron at Morizo?
“Well, first of all, you have to wear something that has the same brand name as the product.
And then advertising to customers.
Even before I asked Anything to make an apron, I was sure that a chef's uniform on top and an apron on the bottom would definitely go well together!
When I saw the finished product, I was like, "Wow!" and I was so happy.
In fact, this apron has been very well received by customers who have seen it.
It has been one year and three months since Morizo started using the apron, and thanks to his daily use,
I was impressed to see that it had been made into a tasteful apron.
At Morizo, they cooked using tofu and vegetables made by SELP Mori.
Every dish we had was really delicious! Thank you for the meal! (Persons in charge: Nishimura and Fujino)
● Izakaya Morizo Address: 1-1-1 Kasama, Sakae-ku, Yokohama City, Lulier Ofuna 1F
Phone: 045-895-3700
Business hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
2 minutes walk from Ofuna Station
~Mr. Kato, Total Coordinator of SELP Mori, Sakae Ward, Yokohama~
This time, I, Fujino, will be visiting the Mori-no-Kai Social Welfare Organization in Sakae Ward, Yokohama.
We visited "SELP Mori," a facility for people with disabilities.
SELP's Mori is involved in various activities based on the philosophy of "enabling people with disabilities to become independent."
For example, each department is divided into independent production activities, making bread, sweets, tofu, noodles, natto, croquettes, etc. every day.
They actually sell them themselves. For the past few years, they have been using aprons for this purpose.
This time, we spoke to Kiyoko Kato, total coordinator for SELP Mori, about various topics.
- Hello! Thank you for joining us today.First of all, "People with disabilities can acquire the ability to become independent"
Did you encounter any difficulties in putting this idea into practice?
"Until now, people have thought that there is not much that people with disabilities can do. But the chairman of this organization has made me think that there are things that people with disabilities can do."
- Really? That's great.
"Many people with autism are obsessed with various things,
By applying this passion to their work, they were able to grow as craftsmen.
Because of this commitment, they learn their jobs diligently by repeating the same tasks every day.
They know all the recipes and measurements for making udon noodles. So I leave it to them to do what they can.”
- As you mentioned earlier, there are jobs available such as making noodles, tofu, bread, and sweets, but can people choose the job they want?"Yeah, most people are like that.
At the end of the year, we ask you to tell us what you would like to do next year.
In response to this, people responded by saying things like, "I want to make sweets" or "I'd like to make noodles."
Then, each staff member will meet and make a decision.
If they are unable to do so, a staff member will offer to help and take their hand.
Sticking a manufacturing date sticker on a bag of candy is also a respectable job.
So our job as staff is to think about what each person can do and then organize the work. And then help them grow."
- You use an apron when you go out pulling a cart to sell tofu in the community, but what do other people say about it?"The response has been extremely good.
All the users are so cool!
So, after I started putting on an apron and going out to sell tofu,
More and more people are saying they want to work as a street vendor!"
- I see. I'm glad to hear that!
thank you."
After our talk, we went to sell the tofu together! (From the left in the photo: Takahashi-san, Sawade-san, Mori-san,Michibata-san, coordinator Kato-san, Kato-san)
Mr. Kato remembered the names of his regular customers.
Apparently he is the poster boy for the tofu shop.
It seems that this was the first time in a year that Mr. Mori participated in the tofu sales.
He was a wonderful trumpet player, showing no signs of a one-year break.
Michibata-san took over from Kato-san and pulled the cart halfway through the journey. Despite it being a heavy job for a woman, she worked hard.
Employee Takahashi said, "I only help out when it's time to pay the bill."
He said.
When the local people hear the sound of the trumpet, they come out of their homes to buy tofu, bread, etc. Everyone was happy, saying that the food made by Mr. Mori of SELP is really delicious.The tofu and bread sold out midway through, and customers who arrived later looked really disappointed.
I felt that this kind of symbiosis with the local community was a truly wonderful activity.
It was a valuable experience. Thank you very much!
●Social Welfare Corporation Mori no Kai's website
http://www.morinokai.or.jp/
●SELP・Mori's Homepage
http://www.morinokai.or.jp/selp.htm
~Mr. Taguchi, staff member at Morizou Izakaya in Sakae Ward, Yokohama~
After speaking with Mr. Mori from SELP, we visited Morizo, the izakaya restaurant that Mr. Mori from SELP runs.We spoke to staff member Yuko Taguchi.
(Mr. Kato, who was selling goods from a handcart, guided me to the shop.)
Here too, customers are using aprons made by Anything.
About 2 minutes walk from the north exit of Ofuna Station (Kasama side).
It's located just across the road from the bus terminal, so it's very easy to access!
-Thank you for your help today! I'd like to start by asking you about the Morizou business, which is located away from the headquarters of SELP and Mori-san.
What kind of work do you do?
"We, the staff, have a role to play in bringing out the potential of individuals, so by creating the opportunity for that,
We strive to help you reach your full potential.
- That's great!"It's not necessarily the case that they have to be able to do things in the same way as able-bodied people.
Saying "Thank you" to the customers who came,
Saying "I'm sorry" when you fail
It's not like you have to be able to do calculations or anything.
We operate in the city,
You will be tested in that respect.
Because it's work, it's not all fun and games, it's also very hard work.
Sometimes things don't go well.
I try my best, but there are a lot of things that just don't work out.
Those kinds of things do happen, but I think the highlight is how you respond to those situations."
- Finally, one more question: Why did you decide to wear an apron at Morizo?“Well, first of all, you have to wear something that has the same brand name as the product.
And then advertising to customers.
Even before I asked Anything to make an apron, I was sure that a chef's uniform on top and an apron on the bottom would definitely go well together!
When I saw the finished product, I was like, "Wow!" and I was so happy.
In fact, this apron has been very well received by customers who have seen it.
It has been one year and three months since Morizo started using the apron, and thanks to his daily use,
I was impressed to see that it had been made into a tasteful apron.
At Morizo, they cooked using tofu and vegetables made by SELP Mori.
Every dish we had was really delicious! Thank you for the meal! (Persons in charge: Nishimura and Fujino)
● Izakaya Morizo Address: 1-1-1 Kasama, Sakae-ku, Yokohama City, Lulier Ofuna 1F
Phone: 045-895-3700
Business hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
2 minutes walk from Ofuna Station