By Kevin Kinno | CAO
Dear Donors,
We would like to update you on the progress of the partnership between YouMeWe NPO and Nagareyama LEAD.
Partnership Launch — April 14, 2026
The formal partnership between YouMeWe NPO and Nagareyama LEAD was launched on April 14, 2026, marking a new phase focused on capability, confidence, and contribution. This milestone brought both organizations' networks together and laid the groundwork for joint programming.
LEAD App Quest — Shibuya, Tokyo
One of the first joint activities was the LEAD App Quest, held in Shibuya. This event invited participants, including community members, volunteers, and young people to explore what a digital tool built for youth empowerment might look like.
The questions raised during the event reflected a deep and genuine curiosity about the intersection of technology and youth support. As shared on our social media channels:
"Real questions, real curiosity, real people trying to build something that helps youth move forward."
The App Quest also served as a bridge between YouMeWe's digital programming and LEAD's emphasis on youth-led ideation demonstrating how the two approaches strengthen each other in practice.
Volunteer Engagement
Alongside digital initiatives, YouMeWe's weekly volunteer sessions have continued without interruption. Volunteers sit with young people in care, helping them prepare for exams, plan their futures, and build the kind of one-on-one relationships that make lasting change possible. These sessions represent the human core of our work and are directly complemented by the LEAD curriculum's focus on team collaboration and self-expression.
Upcoming: DAA Summer Camp
We are pleased to announce that YouMeWe NPO will be hosting the DAA Summer Camp on August 22–24, 2026. This will be an exciting opportunity for young people to deepen their skills, connect with peers, and experience a program designed to inspire creativity and build leadership.
Further details on how donors and volunteers can get involved will be shared in the coming weeks. We warmly invite our donor community to stay engaged as this program takes shape.
Impact & Looking Ahead
The early months of this partnership have reinforced what both organizations believe: empowering children is not about telling them who they can become, it is about giving them the tools, trust, and space to discover it for themselves.
As we look ahead, our joint focus remains on deepening programmatic integration, expanding reach to more children in care homes across Japan, and continuing to build the kind of community that makes sustainable change possible.
Thank You
None of this work would be possible without the generous support of our donors. Your investment is what allows two organizations to combine their strengths, reach children who are often overlooked, and create experiences that genuinely shift how young people see themselves and their potential.
We look forward to sharing more milestones including full details of the DAA Summer Camp in the months ahead. Thank you for believing in this work.
With gratitude,
YouMeWe NPO & Nagareyama LEAD
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