Vietnamese Seniors Organization Receives Grant to Build Capacity

Philadelphia, PA – The U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement has awarded the Vietnamese American Association for the Aging (VAAA) in Philadelphia and its Suburbs a three-year grant to set up services to meet the most critical needs of the organization’s members. These include: health, mental health, women’s services, and English literacy.

Hua Van Be, president of VAAA, announced the grant at the annual Day for the Aging Celebration. He also recognized the contributions of many of its late and present members and the valuable support from the community. Be called on continued support from members and the community because of “the huge responsibility that comes with this big grant.” In 1996, then Governor Tom Ridge declared September 29th “Vietnamese American Day for the Aging” to honor seniors throughout the State of Pennsylvania.

BPSOS has pooled resources from its two local offices in support of VAAA. BPSOS-Philadelphia helps VAAA to recruit and train project staff, and implement project activities, while BPSOS-Camden enrolls new members for VAAA from the local Vietnamese elders. The office is also helping them form a Camden Chapter of VAAA. Finally, BPSOS Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, is developing a sustainability plan for VAAA.

BPSOS similarly supports eight other Vietnamese-American elderly organizations across the U.S. and is planning the first national convention of Vietnamese American Seniors.

Formed in June 1994 with 37 original members, the organization has rapidly expanded its membership to 650 seniors. Approximately two thirds of its current members are torture survivors and their spouses. Most of them experience multiple barriers to social integration, including language, culture, and transportation. A dozen of Vietnamese seniors in Camden, NJ are also members the organization.

Combining membership dues and private donations from the community, VAAA has bought a three-storied building in North Philadelphia for $60,000 to serve as office space and 500 lots in a local cemetery reserved for members only. With mini-grants from various sources, the organization was able to offer several field trips for its elderly members, organize a few cultural events, and hire one part-time administrative staff.