For Immediate Release: June 7, 2010 Contact: Shandon Phan, 703-647-6462 | shandon.phan@bpsos.org

“I am both honored and humbled to receive this award from one of the oldest APA civil rights organizations,” said Dr. Thang. “Our two organizations share many common core values and goals and I look forward to strengthening our partnership to new heights in the coming years.”

ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT TO APPLY FOR FALL 2010 SCHOLARSHIPS

HSF still has a limited number of $5,000 scholarships, BUT applications must be submitted by June 18, 2010.

Please Hurry!

Greetings from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund,

HSF still has a limited number of $5,000 scholarships funded by Mass Mutual that we want to make available to students in the Houston and San Antonio Metro Areas. Counties for Houston Include: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, Hardin, Jefferson and Orange. Counties for San Antonio include: Bexar, Cormal, Guadalupe and Wilson. Students who either reside AND/OR attend school in these counties are eligible to apply. The scholarship is open to individuals of Hispanic, African American and Asian Pacific Island heritage; who are rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and 5th year seniors.

Organization Highlights Thirty Years of Service and Thirty-Five Years of the Vietnamese American History

Houston, TX (May 1, 2010) – To honor the thirty five year anniversary of the Vietnamese American community and celebrate Boat People SOS’ (BPSOS) thirty years of service, the organization launched its 30-35 national campaign in Houston, Texas with a successful fundraising dinner and silent auction at the Hilton Garden Inn on Friday, April 23, 2010. With over three hundred supporters in attendance, BPSOS shared the spotlight with civic leaders to highlight the progress and growth of the Vietnamese American community.

Dr. Thang, BPSOS Executive Director, cut 30-35 Anniversary cake at the event. (photo by Cuong Tran)

By Shandon Phan

As America is gearing up for Census 2010, Vietnamese American community leaders and organizations are mobilizing resources to improve awareness and participation among community members.

On March 15, Census forms began arriving in 120 million mailboxes across the nation. “Every family in America will receive its census questionnaire beginning in mid March. It is our duty to our country, our state, and our community to be counted,” said Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang, Executive Director of BPSOS.

BPSOS staff and volunteers help spread the US Census 2010 message at the Asian Culture Center in Charlotte, NC. (photo of BPSOS)

Atlanta, Georgia, February 17, 2010 - Through the support of the Clinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI), BPSOS will undertake health research in a community setting that is both responsive and relevant to one of the most pressing health needs we have identified among the underserved Vietnamese community of Greater Atlanta: disproportionately high rates of hepatitis B.

One key focus of BPSOS-Atlanta's mission of community empowerment is the protection and promotion of the health of vulnerable individuals, of families, and of our community as a whole. "This new public health research project will build on BPSOS’ national track record of addressing the most pressing health disparities of Vietnamese communities around the country," said Trinh Pham, BPSOS-Atlanta Branch Manager. "We are grateful of the strong support from the CTSI."

Human trafficking is an issue of great concern to Vietnamese Americans and a global dilemma worldwide. So, how can lawyers and advocates help in assisting victims of human trafficking? In an effort to find out, 39 young professionals and civic leaders gathered at Nha Viet Civic Center on January 29, 2010 for a legal training on immigration relief for victims of human trafficking and related crimes.

“Our city of Houston is a major corridor and hub of human trafficking, and many of our attorneys, with their legal talent and commitment to justice, can play a big part in addressing this social and community problem,” said BPSOS staff attorney Vinh Ho, who facilitated the training event and conducted the “Fundamentals of Immigration” workshop.

Anne Chandler, Director of the Tahirih Justice Center, presents on the Ethics of Representing Victims to pro bono attorneys at Nha Viet on January 29, 2010. (photo of BPSOS)

Falls Church, Virginia – BPSOS enters its 4th decade of operation with a new name, new mission, and new priorities.

Formerly Boat People S.O.S., the organization has changed its name to BPSOS to reflect its new mission, which is to “empower, organize, and equip Vietnamese individuals and communities in their pursuit of liberty and dignity.”

Philadelphia, PA – December is an eventful month for the students at South Philadelphia High. It is also a memorable and uplifting experience for the Asian students who were victimized in a series of racially motivated attacks but stood up together to turn a new page for all students at their school.

Houston, Texas – On Thursday, November 5, 2010, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved new rules permitting water spinach farming in Texas on the condition that growers obtain permits from the state. The new regulation is a compromising solution balancing economic and cultural interests of Asian Americans and environmental protection concerns.