our mission

VAO's mission is to empower individuals to actively engage, learn, and take the lead in strengthening the local community through social service, education, leadership, and cultural activities, all while steadfastly promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

our story & vision

At VAO | Vietnamese American Organization, we believe that building a strong, self-sustaining community goes beyond passion—it requires access to knowledge, infrastructure, and leadership development. Year after year, we see good-hearted and committed individuals step up to serve the Vietnamese American community. They volunteer at events, organize cultural programs, support elders, and advocate for change. But despite their best efforts, many of these initiatives struggle to last. Not because of a lack of passion—but because there are not enough resources, training, or structural support to make them sustainable.

The reality is, we cannot build a resilient community through volunteerism alone.

To truly empower and advocate for ourselves—especially in underserved communities—we must first understand how the system works. We must know how to organize effectively, how to fundraise, how to manage donors, and how to secure corporate sponsorships. We must learn how to write grants, search for funding, build organizational capacity, recruit and train board members, and navigate complex civic systems. We need to know how laws are passed, how local governments function, how to influence policies, and how to sit at the table where decisions are made.

These skills are foundational in more established communities where mentorship, funding, and institutional knowledge are passed down. But in immigrant and underrepresented communities like ours, these opportunities are often out of reach. Many passionate individuals are left trying to build the plane while flying it—without guidance, training, or access to the resources that can help them scale their efforts and make a lasting impact.

Meanwhile, we face additional challenges that are unique to our cultural identity.

Our community is not only under-resourced but also often misunderstood. Vietnamese American culture—like many others from historically marginalized communities—is at risk of being diluted or misrepresented. We face cultural appropriation, where our traditions are borrowed without context or credit. We see our language and symbols used in media or products stripped of meaning, while the deeper stories behind them remain unheard. And within our own community, we grapple with generational and linguistic divides that make it difficult for younger and older generations to connect, understand each other, and work together toward shared goals.

Without intentional efforts to preserve, teach, and elevate our culture, we risk losing not only our traditions but also our power to define how we are seen and how we lead.

That’s why VAO exists.

We are building more than programs—we are building pathways. We believe that community development starts with engagement. That’s why we invite people to join community activities—from festivals and cultural workshops to volunteering and community forums. When people show up, they begin to see. When they see, they begin to care. That care turns into passion. And with passion, we begin to teach the skills to lead.

It’s a domino effect.

Show up. Learn. Ask questions. Get involved. Take ownership. Lead.

VAO is the platform that supports this journey—from awareness to advocacy, from culture to civic engagement.

Our vision is to foster a Vietnamese American community that is empowered, informed, and united. A community where culture is not just preserved, but protected and uplifted. A community where we don’t just celebrate heritage, but use it as the foundation for leadership, equity, and lasting impact.

We believe that when individuals are given the opportunity to engage, learn, and lead—within a culturally affirming and supportive space—they become the changemakers their communities need.

This is how we build a future where our stories are respected, our voices are heard, and our culture is honored—not appropriated.

Together, we are not just building community—we are building power, equity, and legacy.

COOL FACTs

🚀A Launchpad for Community Projects — VAO is an excellent place to start when you have an idea to uplift the community but don’t know where to begin. Our friendly, supportive team is here to help you engage, learn, and lead. We offer guidance, tools, and a welcoming platform designed to help you turn your vision into impact.

💡Founded by community members, for the community — VAO was built from the ground up by passionate individuals who wanted to make lasting change.

🎉Organizer of the Annual Community Festival — Attracting 2,500+ attendees each year with free lunch, cultural performances, and over 40+ local vendors.

🌍Cultural preservation — We promote Vietnamese American heritage through arts, language, storytelling, and traditional celebrations.

🧠Leadership pipeline for changemakers — We mentor and community members to lead community projects and build real-world skills.

🗳️Civically engaged — VAO educates the community on how local government works and encourages participation in civic life.

🧭Resource hub for community support — From our non-emergency Community Help Line to grant workshops and public outreach, we connect people to what they need.

🤝Bridge between generations — VAO fosters dialogue and understanding across generations, addressing gaps in language, values, and life experiences.

🏆Over $70,000+ in annual giveaway merchandise from corporate sponsors to support community events and families.

📈Built to last — We focus on sustainable community development, including donor management, grant writing, and organizational capacity-building.