Many Japanese Americans were reluctant to leave the camps. They were worried about the discrimination they might encounter on the outside. For first generation Japanese, the Issei, the prospect was especially frightening because many were old and didn't have the energy to start their lives over again. Many of the internees returned to find their homes vandalized or even completely destroyed. Storehouses had been looted and businesses were destroyed.
Several West Coast towns and cities were unwelcoming towards the returning evacuees. They made this clear through acts of violence. In comparison, the Santa Clara Valley was a receptive community. Most employers were cooperative in hiring the returning evacuees and giving them a chance to reestablish themselves. Japanese Americans returning to the Santa Clara Valley found most of their jobs in agriculture, but also worked in several other fields.
The War Relocation Administration (WRA) helped some Japanese Americans get settled upon their return to Santa Clara. They were able to locate some houses which could be purchased from the government. The WRA enlisted the help of a large growers association to purchase the homes and install them on local farms, where Japanese Americans could live and work. This helped a great many of the returning evacuees who had no where else to go.
Because the housing shortage in Santa Clara and the San Jose area was so severe, something else had to be done. The San Jose Civic Unity Hostel was established to provide the evacuees with food and shelter until they could find a place of their own. Because of the large number of Japanese Americans returning from camps to Santa Clara, the hostel became extremely overcrowded. Three additional buildings had to be emptied out to provide adequate living quarters. The WRA set a closing deadline of March 31, 1946 for all the hostels. At the time of the Civic Unity Hostel's closing, about 50 occupants remained. The local Buddhist church assumed responsibility for these people until they were able to make it on their own.
Returning from the internment camps was difficult for the evacuees. They found themselves without homes and jobs, and with very little money. They had to work hard to start life over again. However, the help WRA and the San Jose Civic Unity Hostel, as well as the receptive attitude of the Santa Clara Valley residents, made it a little easier for the returning evacuees to reestablish themselves in the community.
Mary Steidlmayer
Faye Davidson
Mary Godley