06/02/2022
Dear ACWP Family,
It is with great sadness that ACWP mourns the loss of bác Nguyễn Đình Hữu, Founder of the Aid to Children Without Parents, who passed away on May 5th, 2022. Even though his passing took him from our ACWP Family, his caring heart left a beacon of light to many of us, volunteers, he has mentored, and many many more children whom he has cherished and cared for.
Bác Hữu was the Founder, Executive Director, and Chairperson who tirelessly lead his ACWP family to fight on behalf of those without a voice - unaccompanied children at refugee camps in the late 80s and early 90s. His heart led us to follow the children back to Vietnam where we found many many more children without parents and disadvantaged children, and from then on it has been a lifelong journey for bác and all in our ACWP Family.
With bác, it’s care with intent. He taught us that words and intent matter. Children should not be labeled as orphans. There are no numbers when it comes to how many kids we help - we serve one child at a time. And for those children who are not successful, they are never part of our statistics but reflect a reality that kids we cared for have life circumstances stacked against them so much more, and that we should try harder. ACWP has always been a different kind of non-profit organization – we’re really a family, and those volunteers who later on have been busy with their own lives to continue helping, eventually found their way back someday.
With bác, it’s devotion and leadership. He found importance in giving kids a voice, and he worked together with Dr. Freeman on a book and many other articles covering the plights of unaccompanied minors in refugee camps. He published books on parental guidance and domestic violence prevention. He shouldered with us come rain or shine in every single fundraising and community event. He traveled near and far to manage programs, so he can directly see and interview children. He guided and let us take the reign, and staying at the backseat should we ever need him. He mentored volunteer youths within and beyond ACWP, and became our dear bác Hữu – uncle Hữu - for many of us boomers across the Vietnamese American community as we grow up and participate in building our community.
Us at ACWP Family however have our bragging notes that ACWP is cherished in bác’s heart as much as all children are. It’s evident in the mountain of materials, plaques and photos in bác’s home: on the dinner table, in his bedroom & study, and basically everywhere else.
In his speech at ACWP’s 10th Anniversary, bác Hữu gave a quote from an unnamed philosopher: “If you want to a happy hour; take a nap. If you want a happy day; go fishing. If you want a month happy; get married. If you want a happy year; inherit money. But if you want a life of happiness; help others, especially disadvantaged children.”
On June 2014, Aid to Children Without Parents, Inc. (ACWP) celebrated its 20ths Anniversary and reached a milestone of helping 30,000 disadvantaged children. ACWP members (volunteers & benefactors) have launched the Nguyễn Đình Hữu’s Scholarship Fund and built a primary school in bác Hữu childhood village in bác Hữu’s honor.
The school and scholarship fund served not only in tribute of bác Hữu’s lifelong dedication in service of chidlren, they also presented to these children his aspirations and beliefs, that someday soon, they will grow up and continue his mission – in service of future generations to come, one child at a time.
We hope to have you join us in continuing bác Nguyễn Đình Hữu’s legacy, One child at a time.
ACWP
