VietLead

VietLead is a nonprofit grassroots organization aimed at serving the Vietnamese community in Philadelphia and South Jersey. 

According to their website, their mission is to develop leadership in the Vietnamese community in solidarity with other communities of color towards improving health, increasing self-determination, and strengthening political power in their community. Their values include anti-oppression work, transparency, love and solidarity. They accomplish their goals through a heal, resist, and growth framework. 

They have multiple programs centered in civic engagement, community defense, Farm and Food Sovereignty, and Health & Healing. One of their civic engagement programs is called VietLead’s LaPhieuTuDo, or Freedom Vote. This program is aimed at expanding democratic participation for Black, brown and Vietnamese communities. For community defense efforts, VietLead offers legal advice for immigrants facing deportation. 

VietLead has multiple initiatives under its Farm and Food Sovereignty program, including a community garden and a food security internship. This internship is a six week program that gives high school students in the community an opportunity to learn about food justice and serve the community by helping them navigate programs such as Medicaid and food stamps. 

VietLead also provides support for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian communities’ healthcare needs, working towards decreasing healthcare disparities these populations face. 

To stay up to date on what they do, make sure to follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!