Viet-AID aims to integrate Vietnamese Americans into the social, economic and civic life of the United States in order to reduce poverty, social isolation and alienation. It is the only community development corporation in the country founded and operated by Vietnamese immigrants and refugees.
Social Problem:
In Boston, 26.9 percent of Vietnamese families live in poverty versus 8.6 percent of families in the general population.
Key Accomplishments & Social Impact:
- Created a $5 million Vietnamese American Community Center, the first facility of its kind in the United States.
- Assisted 16 Vietnamese women through the Family Child Care Program to launch independent family child care businesses that provide affordable, quality childcare to over 100 low-income, primarily Vietnamese families.
- Provided homeownership training to 175 Vietnamese families; 50 graduates have purchased homes.
- Increased voter turnout in three Dorchester wards to 34 percent for the 2003 city council election (5th highest among all neighborhoods).
Future Plans:
Over the next three years Viet-AID plans to:
- Develop at least 20 new units of affordable housing in Dorchester and build capacity to provide property and asset management services to all of the housing that Viet-AID owns.
- Provide assistance to strengthen or expand at least 100 local businesses.
- Develop and expand the Advocacy and Referral Program by building a network of organizations with expertise in employment, education, legal, health and social services, that are prepared meet the needs of the Vietnamese community.
- Increase the total number of Vietnamese immigrants and refugees that the Community Center serves by expanding its community-building activities and improving outreach.
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Focus of Services
Boston, with an emphasis on the Field's Corner and Savin Hill neighborhoods in Dorchester.
Get Involved
In addition to financial capital to enhance and expand its programs, Viet-AID is seeking assistance in the following areas:
- Recruiting five new board members with expertise in fundraising, marketing, IT, and financial management.
- Identifying expertise and generating resources to develop IT infrastructure - server, network, website and database - to improve our efficiency and capacity for data collection and evaluation and fully implement the Advocacy and Referral Program.
Contact Information
Nhan Paul TonThat
617-822-3717
nptonthat@mac.com
Location
Dorchester, MA
Founded
1994
Current Budget
$822,124
Website
www.vietaid.org
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