BPSOS mission is to “empower, organize and equip Vietnamese individuals and communities in their pursuit of liberty and dignity.” Dong Bui truly embodies the mission of organization in all of what she does.

“I think Dong is amazing in that she can work effectively with both youth and senior populations,” says Lisa Lynn Chapman, Director of Professional Services.

Dong and her youth at the Mid-Autumn Children Festival

Dong began working at BPSOS in 2006 as a coordinator for the Falls Church youth program.  In her four years in this position, her warm and caring attitude allowed her to connect with middle school-aged children and teach them about the rich history and heritage of Vietnam through various creative activities. She also empowered the youth to learn and understand the importance of giving to one’s community. 

Dong also honed her own communication and leadership skills by organizing the parents and the teachers in a collaborative process to better support the students and engage the parents in their children’s education.  Recently, she worked closely with community groups and volunteers to develop a successful event at the Mid Autumn Festival that draws thousands of Vietnamese Americans and members of the public. 

From getting transportation to communicating their daily needs to service providers, Vietnamese seniors, like other old immigrants, face significant barriers in their new lives in America. Dong’s mission was to help them stay engaged and active in community life and thus, her role is pivotal in the lives of many seniors in the Northern Virginia area, home to approximately 45,000 Vietnamese Americans. 

In 2009, Dong left the youth program and moved to the senior program. Even before she started, Dong was full of ideas and inspiration about how to keep the seniors and youth involved and even interact with one another. So, she worked closely with Young Hoang, BPSOS Clinical Services Manager to set up the Peer Companion program.  

Dong and other staff got ready to set up BPSOS booth at Fairfax County Community Health Fair

“Dong is the best and she makes things happen for us,” said a participant in one of the peer companion trainings. And Dong “makes things happen” while recognizing the strength and spirit of the seniors that saw them through the war and the aftermath that followed.  She equips the seniors with the knowledge and resources to help live a better life by organizing computer classes, assisting them with Medicare paperwork and believing in their capabilities and not their limitations. 

“Dong Bui is one of those people you meet that will just make you feel so motivated and lively,” says Hoang.  “She is an energetic person with an open heart for learning new things and a down-to-earth friendly personality.”

Seiniors receiving health information and filling out health surveys

Never happy with just “doing her job” Dong volunteers to help other staff and programs, such as interviewing former service members about their experiences, training staff on media projects, and coordinating the development of a BPSOS radio show program.

From the BPSOS staff who work alongside her to the clients - young and old - who work with her, Dong Bui truly embodies BPSOS, our mission, our spirit, our values.

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