Happy Spring!
Did April fly by for you or was it just us? As we were settling into our new office, we held the OC May Day Art Build, our first event held in our new space! Thank you everyone who showed up and made beautiful signs and posters in preparation for May Day!
May Day, also known as International Workers Day, is a day to commemorate and take action for working-class and migrant communities. The OC May Day Coalition, formed in 2006, is made up of organizations dedicated to fighting for these communities. VietRISE and our coalition partners came together on May 1st in Santa Ana to fight for each other and say NO to raids, NO to ICE transfers, and NO more money for family separation.
This past April 30th was the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. April is a significant month for many Vietnamese communities, especially here in Orange County. It is a time that marks the end of decades of war to end colonialism, occupation, and imperialism in Viet Nam, and it also marks the beginning of our community’s mass displacement and migration across the world. As 1.5 and 2nd-generation Vietnamese Americans, we believe that it is more vital than ever for us to claim and reclaim our history and narratives to connect with our roots and empower ourselves and others.
Mark Your Calendar & Get Involved
Saturday, June 7th @ 9 AM: VAEMC Political Tour of Little Saigon
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In collaboration with the Orange County Department of Education and the Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum, we are hosting a political tour of Little Saigon for K-12 educators.
Please reach out to dwight@vietrise.org to sign up.
Resources
Support for Vietnamese Community Members in the Immigration System
This online guide is for Vietnamese community members in OC facing deportation or supporting loved ones through the process. It includes info on legal resources, record requests, and advocacy efforts.
If you or someone you know needs support, reach out to us at general@vietrise.org.
(Note: This guide is for informational purposes only and not legal advice)
Youth Mental Health Apps
BrightLife Kids and Soluna applications are available regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status. The two web- and app-based platforms offer free one-on-one support via video or chat with diverse coaches in English and Spanish, and live translation in 17 additional languages including Vietnamese.
Campaign & Program News
May Day in Santa Ana, Orange County
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ndigo Vu, VietRISE’s Operations & Programs Manager, took the stage during this year’s May Day Event hosted by the OC May Day Coalition at El Centro Cultural de Mexico and Santa Ana, to talk about the urgent need to come together and stand up against this administration’s escalated attacks.
Watch and share now!
The Constant Immigration Threats from the Current Administration Are Harming OC Students—Why Aren’t Our Local Leaders Acting?
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A joint Statement from Garden Grove Unified School District Board Member Walter Muñeton and VietRISE:
As the son of working-class immigrant parents and a lifelong advocate for youth and families in Garden Grove, I feel a deep responsibility to speak out about what I’m seeing in our schools… (keep reading)
Joint statement on Trump's Executive Order Targeting Sanctuary Cities:
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Orange County, CA – Today, Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Benjamin Vazquez, Santa Ana City Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez, the Harbor Institute for Immigrant & Economic Justice and VietRISE released the following joint statement in response to Trump’s recent Executive Order… (keep reading)
Statement on ICE Activity Notifications to Santa Ana Police Department
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Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Benjamin Vazquez and City Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez to Introduce Motion
Mandating Immediate Disclosure of All ICE Courtesy Alerts Received by the Santa Ana Police Department… (keep reading)
Vote Family Style Initiative with Get Out the Vote (GOTV)
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On April 23rd, VietRISE joined Asian American Futures (AAF) and the AAPI Next Generation Leadership Institute for a community briefing to raise awareness about this innovative initiative. The experiment blends traditional GOTV strategies with fresh approaches and partnerships to engage new audiences.
Digital Empowerment Workshops
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In April, VietRISE partnered with Garden Grove Unified School District to present our Digital Empowerment Workshops at each of the 5 Family Resource Centers in the district to parents. Our 2-part workshops focus on professional email communication, using Zoom, digital safety and security, and digital tools for employment. We kicked off the workshops at Irvine Intermediate and the Lloyd M. Stone Family Resource Center to full houses and can’t wait to continue these workshops throughout May!
New Members!
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This past month, we have welcomed 11 new members to join our membership community! These are dedicated volunteers and program participants that have been a part of our community, organizing and fighting for a better future for our Little Saigon community. We are excited to have them join us and continue to bring their dedication, energy, and experience!
Features
Al Jazeera English – Vietnamese American Community Reflects on Post-War Migration
Fifty years since the end of the Vietnamese-American War, many western stories marking this anniversary focus on our community’s trauma or supposed success. But we are more than just pain. As Vietnamese Americans continue to challenge the “model minority” image that has done more harm than good.
The truth is that a majority of our community are working-class, and there is strength in that!
Support VietRISE in Uplifting AAPI Causes and Communities!
During the entire month of May, you can support organizations dedicated to empowering AAPI communities throughout the country.
Donate today & help uplift voices, stories, and futures.
SHOUT OUTS & THANK YOUS!
Santiago High School Club Presentation
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Westminster High School Guest Speaker Panel and Presentation
Thank you to Westminster High School’s Vietnamese language classes for inviting Dwight Hua, our community organizer, to share about his story of getting into community organizing and the opportunity for students to get more involved with the Little Saigon community and engage with Vietnamese culture, identity, and history with our summer youth program. Special shout out to Thanh and Quin for sharing their experiences with our youth programs with their peers!
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