NCVA eREPORTER - March 9, 2004

In this NCVA eReporter:

Events

• APIA U: Leadership 101 – Multiple Sites and Dates

Funding Opportunities

• Youth Service America
• Ronald McDonald House Charities – Children’s Health and Well-Being Funds
• Bank of America Supports Education and Communities
• Grants for Social, Environmental and Economic Justice
• Funds for Youth to Challenge Social Boundaries
• State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Initiative
• APPEAL Social Justice and Tobacco Control Grant for AAPI Communities

Tips/Resources

• HHS Campaign Confronts Youth Bullying
• Gateway to Government Resources for Non-Profits

Legislative

• Administration Seeks Deep Cuts in Housing Vouchers and Conversion of Program to a Block Grant

News

• Tran poised to make history (Orange County Register)
• OCA Currently Accepting Applications for 2004 OCA-SYSCO Scholarship Program (Press Release)
• Moving Forward, Giving Back (Washington Post)
• Man May Be Sent Back to Vietnam (Los Angeles Times)

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EVENTS

APIA U: LEADERSHIP 101

5th Annual Series of Leadership Trainings for all college Asian Pacific Islander American college students

A useful tool in organizing for campus and social change and learn how you can get involved with APIAVote...

It's not too late to register!

APIA U: Leadership 101 locations:

March 6-7: Northwest-University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA)

March 13-14: Midwest-Hamline University (St Paul, MN)

April 3-4: Intermountain-University of Denver

April 17-18: Northern CA-San Jose State University

April 23-24: Southern CA-Cal State Fullerton

State Farm ® is underwriting the costs of the training AND paying the registration expenses! This includes food! Please encourage students to take this great opportunity for APIA students to get free leadership training!

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Description of the Training: The mission of these leadership trainings is to provide Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) students an environment to develop leadership and organizing skills that are relevant to APIA students on campuses and in communities. The 1-1/2 day interactive training will bring together students throughout the region to share experiences and develop tools to effectively serve as a catalyst for change and activism.

The format of the program is interactively structured with presentations, hands-on exercises and discussions. Sixty participants are expected to share and participate fully to enable challenge and growth in this group process. Participants attending the training are expected to attend the full weekend as the sessions and exercises build on each other to enhance the understanding of the concepts. The day will focus on team building and the development of building relationships, self-awareness, and team-awareness. The training will offer space for fusion of leadership and ethnic identity issues and how to use your skills to address difficult campus and societal issues. At the same time, it will present a leadership training that keeps in mind the viewpoint and experiences of Asian Pacific Islander Americans and students of color. This will include how cultural influences have an impact on how you lead and various issues facing APIA students.

The trainings will begin on Saturday morning and end with a reception hosted for the students and local Asian Pacific Islander American community leaders. On Sunday, the program is scheduled to begin in the morning and run for a few hours. Participants should be APIA college students who will be returning to campus for an undergraduate degree next year.

The training is FREE. To ensure that all registrants are committed to attending the entire day and a half and to avoid last minute cancellations, we ask for a $15 deposit to hold each seat. All trainings will be limited to 60 participants. Your check will be returned to you at the end of the training on Sunday. Breakfast, lunch, and a light reception on Saturday will be provided. Students are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation needs.

To register online, please go to OCA's website at www.ocanatl.org, click on Programs at top, then APIA U: Leadership 101 on the left. Be sure to mail in your $15 deposit to reserve your spot at the training. The check will be returned to you on Sunday when you have completed the training. Please make checks payable to OCA National Headquarters and mail to:

OCA

APIA U: Leadership 101

1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 601

Washington, DC 20036

**Sponsored by the Organization of Chinese Americans

**Funded by State Farm®

For more information, contact:

Vana Tran at vtran@ocanatl.org

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

YOUTH SERVICE AMERICA

(http://www.youthventure.org/index.php?tg=articles&idx=More&topics=76&article=287)

Youth Service America and Youth Venture are teaming up for the first time to help make every day National Youth Service Day! In conjunction with NYSD, April 16th-18th, we're offering grants to enable young people to engage in community service and make a difference in their world.

YSA Youth Venturers are young people who identify a need in their school or community and dream of making a difference. With the help of a team, they develop an idea and launch their own civic-minded organizations. YSA Youth Venture teams have tutored children, helped clean up the environment, and started clubs and small businesses that serve the needs of their community. Youth Service America and Youth Venture want to give you the tools to make dreams a reality.

Twenty start-up grants of up to $1,000 each will be available to young people (ages 12-20) who want to create new, civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses.

Grant winners will have access to a variety of resources from Youth Service America and Youth Venture including:

* Project Planning Tool Kits

* Service-Learning Curriculum Guides

* National Youth Service Day Posters

* A National Network of like-minded young people

* Media Opportunities

* Scholarships and Awards

* Special Conference Invites

* Technical Allies support (dedicated to project success)

* Tip Sheets and more

Remember, to be eligible for a YSA Youth Venture Start-Up Grant, your project must be:

* A new club, organization or initiative.

* A sustainable and lasting endeavor.

* An asset to the community it serves.

* Led by a team of young people.

To learn more about how you can participate in National Youth Service Day, visit www.YSA.org/nysd.

Click here <http://www.youthventure.org/index.php?tg=fileman&idx=get&inl=1&id=1&gr=Y&path=&file=YSA+App++budget%28draft+1.5%29.doc>

to download a YSA Youth Venture grant application.

Robert L. Bisi, Director of Outreach

Youth Service America

1101 15th Street, NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20009

202/296-2992 ext. 24

Fax-202/296-4030

rbisi@ysa.org

www.YSA.org

www.SERVEnet.org

Youth Service America -- Making service the common expectation and common experience of all young people in America.

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CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FUNDS
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES

(http://www.rmhc.org/grant/index.html)

The national office of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) supports organizations and programs that help children reach their fullest potential. RMHC is most interested in national and/or international organizations that offer programs related to children's health and well-being. Organizations seeking funding should have a specific program that directly improves the health and well being of children (ages 0 to 21 years); addresses a significant funding gap or critical opportunity; has long-term impact in terms of replication or reach; and produces measurable results. National and international nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. The next deadline for submitting a letter or inquiry is May 1, 2004. Visit the above website for more information and for application guidelines.

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BANK OF AMERICA SUPPORTS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES
Bank of America Foundation

(http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/)

The Bank of America Foundation focuses resources on helping children and families succeed in life and neighborhoods flourish. The Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations in the communities where the bank does business in 22 states and Washington, D.C. The Foundation's primary goal is to support education. Grants are awarded to nonprofit and educational organizations in the areas of early childhood development, financial literacy, and professional development for teachers. The Foundation's secondary goal is to help communities succeed. To support this goal, grants are provided for affordable housing and workforce development. Interested applicants must complete the eligibility quiz available on the Foundation's website to begin the application process. Applications are accepted year-round. Visit the above website for more information.

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GRANTS FOR SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Grantee Exchange Fund

(http://www.commoncounsel.org/pages/foundation.html#grantee)

The Grantee Exchange Fund, a program of the Common Counsel Foundation, provides discretionary grants of $300 to $800 to grassroots social change organizations in order to encourage the exchange of technical assistance and to help build regional and national networks among organizations. The Fund strives to strengthen the ability of small organizations to participate in public debates, strengthen movements, and to contribute to collaborative policy victories in the realms of social, environmental, and economic justice. Community-based, nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $300,000 per year are eligible to apply. The Grantee Exchange Fund is a very small program and funds are typically spent out by October each year. Before submitting an application, please contact Common Counsel to ensure funds are still available. Visit the above website for more information and application guidelines.

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FUNDS FOR YOUTH TO CHALLENGE SOCIAL BOUNDARIES
Mix It Up Grants Program

(http://www.tolerance.org/teens/grants.jsp)

The Mix It Up Grants Program funds youth-directed activist projects that focus on identifying, crossing, and challenging social boundaries in schools and communities. Preference is given to projects that clearly demonstrate youth leadership; collaborative efforts involving different youth groups or clubs working together, or school-based clubs working with community-based organizations; and projects that represent continuing efforts to identify, cross, or challenge social boundaries (i.e., projects that aren't "the end" of the effort). Youth organizations throughout the country are eligible to apply for grants of up to $250. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Visit the above website for application forms and guidelines.

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K-12 Service-Learning Initiative
STATE FARM GOOD NEIGHBOR SERVICE-LEARNING INITIATIVE

(http://www.service-learningpartnership.org/service_learning/SF_GoodNeighborInitiative.cfm)

State Farm Insurance Companies, in collaboration with the National Service-Learning Partnership, seek proposals from K-12 school districts for a three-year initiative to increase the practice of service-learning through the creation of well-crafted partnerships between schools, businesses and communities. The Good Neighbor Service-Learning Initiative will provide six school districts with $15,000 over three years, to integrate and sustain service-learning in their schools, school districts and surrounding community. Grants will be used to cover service-learning-project costs, including planning, training, materials, supplies, and transportation. The Partnership or its member organizations will also provide schools and districts with technical support. Funded projects must have an initial focus on wildfires, water loss, senior and elder homeowner independence, candle fires, or hail and wind damage. Some of the focus areas are restricted to specific geographic areas. Proposals must be received by April 16, 2004. K-12 school districts throughout the United States are eligible to apply. Visit the above website for more information.

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APPEAL SOCIAL JUSTICE AND TOBACCO CONTROL GRANT FOR AAPI COMMUNITIES

The APPEAL Social Justice and Tobacco Control Grant is national initiative that will provide funding for organizations to promote policy change in tobacco control among Asian American and Pacific Islander AAPI) communities through community organizing and advocacy policy. qualified applicants must: 1) be experienced in grassroots community organizing and 2) have 501(c)3 non-profit status. Previous experience with tobacco-related work is not necessary. Applicants will be qualified to receive between $20,000 and $50,000 per year for two years. The Call for Proposals will be available in the beginning of March 2004, and full proposals will be due on April 26, 2004.

APPEAL GRANT REGIONAL INFORMATIONAL FORUMS

Regional Informational Forums will provide potential applicants and others with detailed information regarding the grant and the application process, as well as an opportunity to have questions answered directly by APPEAL staff.

March 10

Washington, DC

DC Baptist Convention

1628 Sixteenth Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

9:30am - 11:30am

 

March 10

Philadelphia, PA

Health Promotion Council

260 South Broad Street, 18th Floor Boardroom

Philadelphia, PA 19102

3pm - 5pm

 

March 11

New York, NY

Charles B. Wang Community Health Center

268 Canal Street, 1st floor

New York, NY 10013

10am - 12pm

 

March 12

Boston, MA

Chinese Progressive Association

33 Harrison Avenue, Third Floor

Boston, MA 02111

3pm - 5pm

If you have questions, would like to RSVP, and/or need directions to the locations, please contact Lisa Fu at lfu@aapcho.org or (510) 272-9536 x104. Check APPEAL's website (www.appealforcommunities.org) for updates and announcements.

Lisa Fu

Community Advocacy and Leadership Coordinator

Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment and Leadership (APPEAL) 439 -

23rd Street

Oakland, CA 94612

ph: 510.272.9536 x104                       f: 510.272.0817

www.appealforcommunities.org

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TIPS/RESOURCES

March 2, 2004

HHS CAMPAIGN CONFRONTS YOUTH BULLYING

A new campaign launched by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is aimed at educating Americans on how to prevent bullying and youth violence.

"Bullying is something that we cannot ignore," said HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson. "From the schoolrooms to the schoolyards we must nurture a healthy environment for our children. By engaging the entire community in preventing bullying, we can promote a more peaceful and safe place for children to grow."

Called "Take A Stand. Lend A Hand. Stop Bullying Now!," the campaign is designed to prevent youth bullying, including verbal or physical harassment. Among boys, bullying typically involves pushing, shoving, and other forms of physical intimidation. Girls tend to bully through gossip, social exclusion, and verbal teasing.

"Whether the bully or the bullied, kids involved in this torment can have lasting social and emotional implications," said Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona. "By engaging the entire community in this open dialogue we can begin to discuss the problems and potential ramifications of bullying, and then look for ways to prevent it in society. Kids should be able to live and learn without the threat of being harassed."

Studies have found bullies often behave badly in school and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and receive lower grades. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education has determined that one in four children who act as bullies will have a criminal record by the age of 30.

The "Stop Bullying Now!" campaign includes Web-based animated stories which will be updated every two weeks; television, radio and print public-service announcements; and a Resource Kit with bullying-prevention programs and activities that can be implemented at the school or community level.

(http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp)

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GATEWAY TO GOVERNMENT RESOURCES FOR NON-PROFITS

http://www.firstgov.gov/Business/Nonprofit.shtml

http://www.nonprofits.org/

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LEGISLATIVE

ADMINISTRATION SEEKS DEEP CUTS IN HOUSING VOUCHERS AND CONVERSION OF PROGRAM TO A BLOCK GRANT

Budget Could Cut Number of Families Assisted by 250,000 in 2005, and 600,000 — or 30% of all Assisted Families — by 2009

The Administration’s new budget would cut funding for “Section 8” housing vouchers in 2005 by more than $1 billion below the 2004 level.  The budget would cut the Section 8 program further in subsequent years.

The budget also would make radical changes in the program’s structure.  It would replace the voucher program with a block grant to local housing agencies (labeled the “Flexible Voucher Program”) and, in so doing, repeal basic protections for low-income families that were developed on a bipartisan basis and have undergirded the program for decades.  The block-grant proposal also would leave the program vulnerable to substantial further funding erosion over time.

Link: http://www.cbpp.org/2-12-04hous.htm

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NEWS

March 3, 2004

TRAN POISED TO MAKE HISTORY
Councilman leads in 68th Assembly District. He could be 1st Vietnamese-American in the Legislature.

The Orange County Register

Garden Grove City Councilman Van Tran jumped to a strong early lead in the 68th Assembly District primary Tuesday, putting him on track to become the first Vietnamese-American elected to the California Legislature and the highest-ranking Vietnamese elected official in the United States. The GOP primary pitted him against fellow Garden Grove Councilman Mark Leyes.

Tran, 39, was born in Vietnam and came to the United States at age 10, speaking two words of English. He went on to work as an aide for Rep. Robert K. Dornan and state Sen. Ed Royce, and to obtain a law degree.

The race was littered with accusations and a struggle over who was the more conservative candidate. Leyes, an aide to Assemblyman Bob Pacheco, R-Walnut, is a former Democrat, and Tran used Leyes' past support of Democrats in an effort to win over voters.

"I'm relieved that it's all over," Tran said. "It's been a very divisive and negative campaign that my opponent launched at me ... and that's unfortunate."

On election day, questionable campaign calls were made to voters alleging that illegal immigrants were being bused in to vote for Van Tran, according to Garden Grove Councilman Bill Dalton and Fountain Valley Councilman Gus Ayer, both of whom said they received such calls. There were no legitimate reports of illegal immigrants voting. Leyes said he knew nothing of the calls.

Tran is expected to win the November election easily because of Republicans' advantage in the district's voter registration.

Register reporters Martin Wisckol, Eric Carpenter, Courtney Perkes, John Gittelsohn, Dennis Foley and Patrick Vuong contributed to this report.

CONTACT US: (714) 285-2867 rmwisckol@ocregister.com

(http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=83781)

Note: Final March 3 Primary results Van Tran: 19,020 (Vote Count) 56.3% - Mark Leyes 14,781 (Vote Count) 43.7% (Source: http://www.oc.ca.gov/election/Live/e12/frameset.htm)

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For Immediate Release

Date: 03/04/2004

Contact: Van-Nghi Tran  202-223-5500

OCA CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2004 OCA-SYSCO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Washington, DC – The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) is teaming up with SYSCO Corporation to introduce the 2004 OCA-SYSCO Scholarship Program. Six scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded to financially disadvantaged Asian Pacific American (APA) high school seniors who will be entering their first year of college this fall. Scholarships and financial aid are critical in helping students from lower income families attain a college education.

The APA population is nearly 12 million with a poverty rate of 12.6 percent, compared with 9 percent for non-Hispanic Whites in 1999, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Although APAs are often made victims of the model minority myth, and thus lack access to additional financial resources to pay for college, most APAs do not fit into the highly educated and wealthy category dictated by this stereotype. The scholarship will provide opportunities to APA students who wish to pursue higher education while facing financial difficulties.

"OCA and SYSCO Corporation are dedicated to education in the APA community," commented OCA National President Raymond Wong. "SYSCO Corporation recognizes the need to provide opportunities to APA students who do not have access to the financial resources necessary to pursue higher education."

Within the last eight years, OCA has awarded over 1300 scholarships to financially disadvantaged students through its various scholarship programs.

"Education has always been a high priority in the Asian Pacific American community." noted Christine Chen, OCA Executive Director. "Although the average level of education for APAs is high, the statistics are misleading. Although there are many members of our community who have advanced degrees, there are countless APAs who are unable to attend college because of financial difficulties. Through our many scholarships - including the OCA-SYSCO Scholarship-OCA is committed to granting deserving APA students a chance they otherwise would not get."

SYSCO is the largest foodservice marketing and distribution organization in North America, providing food and related products and services to approximately 420,000 restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers.

The company generated sales of $27.5 billion for calendar year 2003.  SYSCO's operations are located throughout the United States and Canada and include broadline companies, specialty produce and custom-cut meat operations, Asian foodservice and hotel supply operations and SYGMA, the company's chain restaurant distribution subsidiary. 

SYSCO Corporation has received numerous awards and recognition for donations to food banks and other programs including the Second Harvest National Food Bank. In addition, each of SYSCO Corporation's operating companies serves its community independently, assisting charities and volunteer organizations, including homeless shelters, donating products to food banks and providing meals to volunteers. At the corporate office, the company also has enjoyed longstanding relationships with organizations such as the United Way and the March of Dimes. For more information about SYSCO visit the company's Internet home page at www.sysco.com.

For more information on OCA’s scholarship programs and an application, students may go to OCA’s website at www.ocanatl.org. The deadline for applying to the 2004 OCA-SYSCO Scholarship Program is May 1, 2004. 

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The Organization of Chinese Americans, a national civil rights organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates across the country, was founded in 1973 to ensure the civil rights of the Asian Pacific American community.  It maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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March 4, 2004

Moving Forward, Giving Back
U.S. Immigrants Become Homeland Philanthropists

By Phuong Ly
Washington Post Staff Writer

Whatever money he could spare from his earnings as a janitor, Ca Van Tran would roll into thin sticks, hide in tubes of toothpaste and mail to his parents in Vietnam. His methods were rudimentary, but they helped him fulfill a duty many immigrants meet: supporting the family they left behind.

Nearly 30 years later, the onetime war refugee has become a prosperous restaurant owner with a five-acre estate in Great Falls. And he's sending back money in a far different way.

Tran founded Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped, a registered U.S. charity that raised $1.7 million last year for wheelchairs, artificial limbs and job training for land-mine victims in his homeland. After his trips back to Vietnam, he realized that it was no longer enough to help just his family.

In Vietnam, "you don't have a tradition of charity for the masses," said Tran, 53, whose office is decorated with a large photo of his grinning children next to one of a young beggar in his former country. "There's such a pressing need there. These are people who don't have anything. We can't even call them poor."

A generation of maturing immigrants is graduating from supporting family members to financing large philanthropic initiatives that fuel development and social change. The economies of Third World countries have long been propped up by small-dollar transfers that the World Bank estimates add up to more than $70 billion a year globally.

Now, however, immigrant organizations are funding programs such as AIDS education in Brazil, small business grants for women in India and teacher training in the Philippines.

"What we have today in the way of immigration, we didn't have 15 to 20 years ago," said Rob Buchanan, director of international programs for the Council on Foundations, a D.C.-based group of philanthropic organizations. "The communities are changing. . . . Many are doing well, and these folks are beginning to think about their legacy. They want to do something for their communities."

Increasingly, the power of transnational philanthropy is being recognized by governments. When President Bill Clinton asked India's prime minister what help he could provide after a devastating earthquake in 2001, the Indian leader had this request: Tap into the wealth of Indian Americans. Shortly afterward, the American India Foundation was formed in Silicon Valley and in its first year raised $7.5 million.

Tran's foundation in McLean began in 1991 with a little over $10,000 and shipped wheelchairs and prosthetics overseas. Today, the group has its own factories in Vietnam to manufacture the items -- and give jobs to the disabled.

Many contributors are Vietnamese Americans, who, like Tran, have put aside their antipathy for the communist government for charity's sake. Other supporters include U.S. veterans groups and politicians such as Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.).

Tran -- who said he was taken into custody in Vietnam and questioned by suspicious government officials during one of his first trips to deliver wheelchairs -- now meets regularly with top ministers to brainstorm on how to improve life for the disabled.

Bach Ngoc Chien, press attache for the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, said, "Of course, it's the main responsibility of the government to take care of its people, but we encourage the contributions of individuals and organizations."

Latin American immigrants often form "hometown clubs" that raise money for a cause in the old country, but the organizations typically are not as formally structured and do not apply for tax-exempt status. That stage is expected to be reached eventually as their projects -- and the immigrants' income -- grow.

Some academics say, however, that too much emphasis on overseas giving can dilute the loyalty the immigrants have to the United States.

"It reflects a commitment of elsewhere, rather than here," said Stanley Renshon, a political science professor at the City University of New York who is writing a book, "The Fifty Percent American." "It's not good for a democracy that depends on the connection of its people to its government," he said.

In some cases, the immigrant charities, particularly those aimed at Middle Eastern countries, have been linked to terrorist groups and have been investigated by the FBI.

Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, U.S. officials have frozen more than $136 million in assets of Muslim charities, effectively shuttering several groups. Last month, the FBI said it was investigating a terrorist group's alleged ties to a recent D.C. event billed as a fundraiser for Iranian earthquake victims that drew nearly 3,000 participants, including a Pentagon official who gave a speech. The event's primary organizer, the Iranian American Community of Northern Virginia, said the terrorist allegations are unfounded.

The fundraiser took place a few weeks after the U.S. government made a three-month special exception to its economic sanctions against Iran so charities could raise money for earthquake victims. Under the sanctions, no money could be sent to Iran, only books and medical supplies.

Many immigrants say that scrutiny is welcomed but that scandal in one organization should not taint other charities or bring prejudice against a particular group.

Sussan Tahmasebi, director of the Rockville office of the London-based Science and Arts Foundation, which focuses on education in Iran, said opening the doors to overseas charity helps fight rather than foster terrorism.

She said the foundation has paid for Iranian teachers and students to attend international educational competitions -- their first trips outside Iran. A few Iranian American college students, sponsored by the foundation, have traveled to Iran to teach English.

Recently, the Rockville office raised $20,000 for earthquake victims. If the restrictions on charity to Iran were lifted permanently, far more could be done, she said.

"Expatriates can work as a bridge of understanding between their two cultures," Tahmasebi said. "The increased interaction brings a level of democracy and education."

Farrah Javid, a board member of Children of Persia, based in suburban Maryland, said groups like hers are taking their cues from U.S. culture.

"You see people from America doing charity work in other countries," said Javid, a Gaithersburg fashion consultant who, like many Iranian Americans, immigrated soon after the Islamic revolution in 1979. "I sometimes think we're doing this as Americans rather than as Iranians."

Some immigrants say that building a better standard of living in their homelands will mean others won't leave -- or turn to terrorism.

Angel de Dios, a chemistry professor at Georgetown University, emigrated from the Philippines in 1987 in search of a better education and job opportunities. During his first years in this country, he sent money home to pay his siblings' school fees.

Then, last year, he spent $15,000 to create a public computer lab in his mother's home town. "I wanted my donation to go a long way," said de Dios, who funneled his donation through a San Francisco-based organization called Give2Asia. "I just didn't want to give them money; I wanted them to be able to help themselves."

Tran's goal is to make it possible for more social changes to come from inside Vietnam. In the past few years, his group has held conferences in Vietnam to promote rights for the disabled, and support groups have been formed for disabled veterans.

Tran said he keeps in touch with one of the first people he helped, a former paratrooper who had lost both legs during the war and was forced to beg for food. The man, who received a wheelchair from Tran's group, now works at an ice factory.

Perhaps one day, Tran mused, the man's children or grandchildren will become philanthropists.

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28592-2004Mar3.html)

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March 6, 2004

MAN MAY BE SENT BACK TO VIETNAM
Re-education camp enforcer who now lives in O.C. is a human-rights violator, judge rules.

By David Haldane, Times Staff Writer

An Orange County man accused of brutalizing fellow prisoners at a Communist re-education camp in Vietnam nearly three decades ago was declared subject to removal from the United States by an immigration judge Friday.

Thi Dinh Bui, 62, is a human rights abuser who can be sent back to Vietnam, Judge D.D. Sitgraves ruled.

"He's a persecutor of others and the laws of the United States do not permit the country to be a safe haven for people who commit atrocities such as this," said Bill Odencrantz, director of field legal services for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Custom Enforcement division, which prosecuted the case.

"Basically what this is, is elemental justice — part of our job is to protect the fabric of American society."

Neither Bui, who has been in custody at a government facility on Terminal Island since August, nor his lawyer, could be reached for comment.

A hearing has been set for April 27, at which time the former Garden Grove resident will be able to present evidence as to why he should not be deported.

Bui, a former captain in the South Vietnamese Army who entered the United States as a refugee in 1994, is accused of starving, beating and torturing prisoners — including at least two who died — at the Thanh Cam detention camp near Hanoi after the fall of Saigon in April 1975.

Though a prisoner himself, he served as a camp trustee, or enforcer, for the camp guards. He was arrested by immigration agents at his home in August after being identified by other former prisoners.

"What you have here is someone who was in a position of authority in what basically was a concentration camp," Odencrantz said at the conclusion of the five-month hearing in Los Angeles, during which more than 17 witnesses testified.

(http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bui6mar06,1,6289115.story)

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About NCVA
Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy organization working to advance the cause of Vietnamese Americans in a plural but united America – e pluribus unum – by participating actively and fully as civic minded citizens engaged in the areas of education, culture and civil liberties.