VAYLA New Orleans

COVID-19 Press release

3/20/2020

For Immediate Release: March 20, 2020
Contact: Ellen Lu, Program Coordinator, contacts@vayla-no.org

New Orleans, LA - Earlier this week, the current White House Administration double-downed on Sinophobic rhetoric regarding COVID-19. The name “COVID-19” was chosen specifically to maintain public discussion without stigma during a global public health crisis. By referring to the virus as anything other than its designated name (“Chinese virus,” “kung flu,” et al.), the nation’s leaders are eliciting further violence against the Asian American community when we must all practice social responsibility.

“This is a time of crisis and tension for all of our communities, but for Asian American communities and the Vietnamese community in New Orleans, it is an especially triggering time. We come from a diaspora that has survived despite war, colonization, environmental catastrophes, and limited access. Our focus should be on saving lives and building solidarity as we continue to share resources. Words have power. And phrases like ‘Chinese virus’ or ‘Kung-Flu’ to refer to COVID-19 affect our community and their safety while perpetuating anti-Asian sentiments. We call on the President, elected officials and all our leaders to set an example for all Americans.” said Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans.

VAYLA joins the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and more than 260 other organizations in urging congressional leaders to publicly denounce the increase in racist attacks and discrimination against the Asian American community, in the wake of COVID-19. VAYLA encourages the President and elected officials to do the same.

Stand up against discrimination so we can ensure our most vulnerable young people, elders, patients, medical care providers, store clerks, and all community members are able to access the help they need. Together we must denounce discrimination. #VirusesDontDiscriminate

Report any incidents of hate using https://bit.ly/2J5V0Hg. Donate to our Emergency Relief Fund for undocumented folks and non-citizens at http://www.vayla-no.org/donate.html.

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VAYLA is an intersectional AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) nonprofit organization based in New Orleans focused on advocacy through providing climate and reproductive justice education, community organizing education, comprehensive civic engagement and pathways to citizenship.

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VAYLA Stood in Solidarity with AAPI Organizations to Say No to Public Charge

6/14/2019

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For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 13, 2019
Contact: Huong Nguyen, HuongNguyen@vayla-no.org, (504) 881-6233

VAYLA Stood in Solidarity with AAPI Organizations to Say No to Public Charge

Washington, DC – Wednesday, June 12th, 2019, AAPI communities met on the Hill to rally support and voice opposition against the proposed change to the Public Charge rule. AAPI organizations from across the country came together as a united voice in defense of our refugee and immigrant communities. “We’re speaking truth to power to say no to public charge and standing in solidarity with the One Nation Commision to protect our immigrant and refugee communities,” said the Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans, Jacqueline Thanh.

The public charge test is used to determine if a person seeking admission to the United States or wanting to obtain Legal Permanent Residency (“green card”), while in the country, is likely to rely on government services for support. The test is based on a number of factors, including the use of public cash assistance. Under the current Administration’s proposed new definition, public charge determination would be expanded to include a number of additional government benefits, such as Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare Part D, and Section 8 housing assistance. As a result, the proposed change particularly impacts low-income Southeast Asian immigrant community members, their families, and their communities. This policy has far reaching ramifications as community members may feel the need to make the impossible decision of protecting their immigration status or getting the necessary assistance to ensure the survival of their families in the United States.

Learn more at: www.protectingimmigrantfamilies.org

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VAYLA New Orleans is a progressive multi-racial community-based organization in New Orleans that empowers youth and families through supportive services and organizing for cultural enrichment and positive social change.

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VAYLA Welcomes New Executive Director

5/2/2019

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Dear Community Members, Partners, Supporters, & Advocates,

My name is Jacqueline Thanh, and it is an honor to write to you as the Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans. I am deeply humbled and absolutely honored to continue raising awareness on issues facing our community and building capacity for progress. Our mission to empower youth and families in New Orleans is more important than ever and will be accomplished with your continued involvement and support.

I am excited to bring over a decade of expertise in intersectional direct services and advocacy work that has encompassed bilingual youth and family services as well as survivor advocacy. I know first hand that the investment in socio-emotional health alongside education and vocational access for our youth are what sustain and progress the foundation of our civic engagement as a community. As a daughter of Vietnamese boat people, I am proud to have been raised by a community of refugees. As a first-generation college graduate, clinically trained social worker, and human rights activist--I am the fruition of leadership and community investment.

I’d also like to take a moment to share with you one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind as I accepted this position: Storms only make trees take deeper roots. Storms have passed. And the roots for the youth and community here in New Orleans East are stronger than ever. VAYLA is a sacred space that does something truly profound, we hold challenging and complex conversations around trauma, our environment, and access to opportunities. These conversations are put into action through programmatic work alongside community led campaigns so that we are able to support and nurture our young people; ensuring that they become leaders who organize and act on behalf of themselves and their communities. VAYLA will continue to be the space for a deliberate alignment of intention and impact as we work across racial, cultural, and generational lines in an ever-changing landscape to foster resilience.

Resiliency is an understanding that extends beyond the systems of oppression--who WE are is powerful. We are here. We count. Our voices matter. I witness that spark of truth in every youth, elder, and community member I have encountered in New Orleans. I look forward to organizing pathways to leadership for our youth and the next generation through fighting for equity and access.

In Solidarity,

Jacqueline Thanh, Executive Director

For Spanish version here.
For Vietnamese version here.

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Vietnamese Community Defends Refugees Against Trump’s Deportation Policy

12/19/2018

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For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 19, 2018

Contact: Huong Nguyen, Huong@Vayla-no.org, (504) 881-6233

Vietnamese Community Defends Refugees Against Trump’s Deportation Policy

New Orleans Vietnamese community members demand that the Trump administration protect Vietnamese refugees from being deported by honoring the terms of the original 2008 Repatriation Agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam.

New Orleans, LA – Thursday, December 20th at 9:00am, New Orleans Vietnamese communities will rally to protest President Trump’s Deportation Policy to deport Vietnamese Refugees. The New Orleans Vietnamese communities are seeking to defend our Vietnamese Refugees. Impacted community leaders and members will voice and explain the urgency of why the U.S. government must honor the terms of the original 2008 Repatriation Agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam. “If they had already served their time in jail, this is like punishing them again. We feel like it’s unjust,” said the Executive Director of VAYLA New Orleans, Minh Nguyen. President Trump’s Deportation Policy will separate families and put the lives of more than 8,500 Vietnamese refugees and their loved ones in harm’s way across the country.

WHO: VAYLA New Orleans, New Orleans Vietnamese Community, District E City Councilwoman Cyndi Nguyen, Affected Refugee Individual for Deportation
WHAT: Rally to Defend Vietnamese Refugees from Trump’s Deportation Policy
WHEN: Thursday, December 20, 2018, 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, 14001 Dwyer Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70129

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VAYLA New Orleans is a progressive multi-racial community-based organization in New Orleans that empowers youth and families through supportive services and organizing for cultural enrichment and positive social change. For more information, visit our website at www.vayla-no.org

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