This year, Viet-AID collaborated with the Vietnamese American Civic Association (VACA) to recruit and train more than 40 volunteers to register and mobilize Vietnamese voters. Of these, 22 were youth volunteers who also received training in leadership, voters’ rights, and outreach strategies. Staff, volunteers and partners registered more than 300 community members to vote, and increased Vietnamese voter turnout in the November national election by 47% over the 2000 election.
Viet-AID staff and volunteers worked with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) to conduct exit poll interviews with Vietnamese voters. Our results show that 41% of Vietnamese voters were first-time voters in the United States. Viet-AID staff has been working with the United States Department of Justice and AALDEF to document and investigate cases where voters reported difficulties with voting and getting assistance to vote. We will work with the City’s election department to ensure that there are enough Vietnamese election officers and poll workers for the next election. We have also developed a voter rights manual in Vietnamese which addresses many of concerns expressed by Vietnamese voters.
Community Connection Initiatives:
Community Assessment Survey
Viet-AID recognizes the importance of working collectively with our community’s culturally rich and diverse residents to combat the problems and issues that affect us all. We conducted a Community Assessment Survey in the fall of this past year to identify key community issues and needs. Over two months, Viet-AID staff worked with youth and adult volunteers to interview more than 150 area residents from a broad representation of ethnic backgrounds. Our assessment brought out personal stories from Fields Corner residents as well as their thoughts on the most common issues affecting our community. The core issues identified included crime and youth violence and a lack of familiarity among different ethnic groups.
Community Clean-Up and Barbeque Celebration
This past year, we held two community clean-ups, each followed by a celebratory barbeque. These community events drew more than 180 volunteers, representing a broad range of our community’s cultural groups, and provided an opportunity to improve our neighborhood and connect with others who care about Fields Corner.
Crime Watch Group
This year, Viet-AID revitalized its Crime Watch Group to address issues of neighborhood crime and safety, including violence against elders, theft, drug abuse, domestic violence, public transportation safety, in addition to youth and gang violence, and more. Viet-AID’s crime watch group is taking proactive steps to combat these issues and improve safety in Fields Corner while building community relationships. Monthly crime watch group meetings take place in Vietnamese as well as other languages that are spoken in our community.