Vietnamese American Youth Alliance of San Diego (VAYA)

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Vietnamese American Youth Alliance of San Diego (VAYA)

The Vietnamese American Youth Alliance (VAYA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization fo Roosevelt

"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future". - Franklin D.

06/12/2026

Many Vietnamese American families share the same value: love, sacrifice, resilience, and care for one another.

But the experiences that shaped those values can look very different across generations. These differences can sometimes make communication difficult, but understanding where those perspectives come from can help us approach each other with more empathy and compassion.

Join us for our upcoming workshop as we explore how understanding our histories can help us strengthen communication and connection today.

💚 Closing the Gap: Conversations Across Generations 
🗓 June 14, 2026 🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 
📍 Hage Elementary School
 9750 Galvin Ave, San Diego, CA 92126

This workshop is free to attend, and food and refreshments will be provided.

Please note that this workshop is intended for educational and community-building purposes and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

06/10/2026

An appreciation for all the individuals who help make VAYA what it is today 🙌

Our staff celebration dinner was a space to recognize the dedication and hard work of the team who continuously serves and uplift our community in celebrating Vietnamese culture. Thank you for your leadership and commitment, you create meaningful experiences that bring people together and inspire the next generation!

We are grateful for all that you do and proud to celebrate you!

06/05/2026

Last month, Vietnamese Mental Health had the opportunity to join KPBS Midday Edition to discuss mental health awareness within the Vietnamese community during AANHPI Heritage Month 🎙️

We were grateful for the chance to share our mission, discuss the importance of culturally relevant mental health support, and highlight some of the conversations taking place within our community around stigma, intergenerational experiences, and access to care.

Thank you to KPBS Midday Edition for creating space for these important discussions, and a special thank you to producer Ashley Rusch for helping bring this conversation to the air.

You can listen to the interview at the link in our bio!

Thank you to everyone who continues to support this work and help make these conversations possible 💚

06/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who applied to join us on VAYA Staff 💛

We’re so grateful for the passion and enthusiasm from our community. Applicants, please keep an eye out on your emails for interview notifications!

Excited for these new opportunities to grow and creating meaningful impact with our new staff! ✨

06/02/2026

Join us for Closing the Gap: Conversations Across Generations, a community workshop designed to foster deeper understanding between generations through guided conversation and shared experiences.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore different perspectives, strengthen communication, and connect through stories that might not otherwise be shared.

🗓 Sunday, June 14, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Hage Elementary School
9750 Galvin Ave, San Diego, CA 92126

Led by:
Jenny Lam, AMFT
Sophie Lee, Mental Health Scholarship Recipient

Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or simply an open mind, we hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of reflection, conversation, and connection 💚

This workshop is free for all to attend. Food and refreshments will be provided, and attendees will be entered in a FREE RAFFLE to win one of six $20 gift cards to Amazon or Target!

Please note that this workshop is intended for educational and community-building purposes and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

06/01/2026

LAST CALL ⏰

VAYA staff applications close TONIGHT! Join the team behind the San Diego Tết Festival and be part of a community built on culture, service, and connection 💛

Link in bio to apply! 🔗

05/29/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month means a lot to us, not just as an initiative, but as a community 🤝

For many Vietnamese and AAPI families, conversations around emotions, stress, or mental health were not always openly discussed growing up. Many of our parents and older generations carried survival mentalities, sacrifice, pressure, and experiences they may not have had the space or tools to fully process themselves. That reality can shape how many of us learn to cope, communicate, and understand our emotions today.

Vietnamese Mental Health SD was created because we believe those conversations matter. We believe young people deserve spaces where they can feel heard, understood, and supported without shame. We believe families and communities can grow stronger through empathy, openness, and education. And we believe mental health conversations can exist alongside culture, tradition, and respect for where we come from.

Through workshops, discussions, and community collaboration, we hope to continue creating spaces where people can reflect, ask questions, learn from one another, and feel less alone in what they’re experiencing.

Thank you to everyone who has attended a workshop, shared a post, opened up a conversation, or supported this work in any way this month. Your presence helps make these conversations possible. We hope you’ll continue joining us for future workshops and community events as we keep building understanding, connection, and support together 💚

05/29/2026

AAPI Voices in Mental Health 🧠

In honor of both Mental Health Awareness and AAPI Month, Vietnamese Mental Health would like to highlight mental health professionals and leaders in our community 💚

Nancy Phung-Smith, LMFT

A child of Vietnamese boat people, Nancy’s early experiences with mental health were often obscured. Over time, she came to understand that what looked like strength was often unprocessed grief, trauma, and stress being passed down and held in the body. That recognition—that so many of us were suffering without language for it or access to help—became the foundation of her calling. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, her goal is to understand both the cultural context and the clinical tools to help people heal, not just cope.

Nancy is Founder and Clinical Supervisor at SOULFLO Therapy, a group practice specializing in trauma-focused therapy which accepts most major insurances, meaning that accessing culturally responsive care doesn’t have to come with a financial barrier. The group also partners with Riverside City College (RCC) Psychological Services to provide free therapy sessions to students.

Thank you Nancy for your commitment to accessibility in culturally focused care for our community. We are so proud to partner with you for our initiative! 🤝🏼

To learn more about her work and therapy intensives, visit souloftherapy.com.

To find a provider that understands your cultural background, visit:
- Anise Health (anisehealth.co)
- The Asian Mental Health Collective (asianmhc.org)
- NAMI’s AAPI resources

To read more about mental health, try:
- Permission to Come Home by Dr. Jenny T. Wang
- Where I Belong by Soo Jin Lee & Linda Yoon Written
- What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Bruce Perry

To read Nancy’s full interview, visit vietmentalhealthsd.com

05/27/2026

Applications are closing soon! 💛

If you’ve been thinking about joining VAYA, this is your sign to go for it. Whether you’re looking to gain hands-on experience, meet new people, grow your leadership skills, or give back to the community, VAYA is a place to learn, create, and make an impact together.

Joining staff is a great opportunity to:
🌟 Build real-world experience in event planning, media, marketing, operations, community outreach, and more
🤝 Connect with passionate students and young professionals across San Diego
📚 Strengthen your resume and leadership skills through hands-on work
🎉 Be part of one of San Diego’s largest Vietnamese cultural events
✨ Contribute to preserving and celebrating Vietnamese culture and community

No matter your experience level, we welcome individuals who are excited to learn, collaborate, and help bring the festival to life. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the team!

05/27/2026

Meet the Vietnamese Mental Health Team 💚

Through education, community collaboration, and outreach, VMH hopes to bridge gaps in mental health awareness, access, and understanding, especially for young people who may be struggling in silence. Made up of community members, professionals, and advocates who are passionate about creating more open conversations around mental health and building culturally relevant support for youth in San Diego.

Tri Lưu, Committee Chair
Jenn Nguyễn, Vice Chair
Alan Trần, Finance & Logistics
Tri Nguyễn, Curriculum & Professional Outreach
Kendra Nguyễn, Project Manager
Jessica Liyanage, Scholarship Coordinator
Tiffany Lưu, Social Media
Quyên Lý, Translation & Cultural Authenticity
Khiêm Phạm, Website Builder
Anna Le, Website Designer
Carina Guevara, Website Designer
Peter Pham-Tran, Website Designer

Interested in joining VAYA’s Vietnamese Mental Health Team? Applications are open now at the link in our bio 🔗

Address

PO Box 711912
San Diego, CA
92171

Website

http://www.vayasd.org/

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