On behalf of the Collective Philanthropy Project (CPP) Committee, it is my pleasure to bring you Exciting news from the 9th Annual Midwest Vietnamese Interacting As One (VIA-1) Leadership Conference. Each year, the conference draws students and young professionals together, collectively working as one group towards educating, and spreading awareness with issues within the Vietnamese Community. At the same time the conference promotes networking with one another to give back to the Vietnamese Community through philanthropic efforts.

The 2011 VIA-1 conference was held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from March 18th – 21st. The theme “A Story of Our Own”, encouraged attendees to explore their split identity as Vietnamese-Americans while keeping root to their culture and upbringing. This years event drew some of the highest numbers for the regional conference at 300 plus attendees.

Along with the exciting bonding activities and informative workshops, the VIA-1 conference conducted one of the most successful fundraising activities supporting the Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations’ (uNAVSA) CPP Campaign, *VIA-1 Pho-reezing Race*. Individuals that participated in the race were first nominated online representing a school, state, or organization. Friends and family were able to donate online to the individuals and whoever had the most funds then would go through the race with a grueling obstacle course. With the fundraising efforts of all the VSAs within the region, the Pho-reezing Race had surpassed the goal of $5000 and finished at $5848.

• University of Illinois – $913
• IVSU – $744
• University of Cincinnati – $743
• Purdue – $608
• MAUVSA – $525
• VSAM – $496
• Michigan State – $415
• Loyola – $375
• University of Wisconsin-Madison – $237

All the funds will go towards uNAVSA’s 2011 CPP Beneficiary, The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation (BDCF). BDCF fights against human trafficking, particularly children and teens of the Providences in the city of Hue. The organization not only unites families but helps build sustainable lifestyles through education and building homes that are safe environment for the victims.

Thank you to the Midwest UVSA and their VSAs for their significant contribution to the CPP Fundraising Campaign. Let’s continue the momentum and reach the over all goal this year!

Sincerely,
Doan Trinh & The 2011 Collective Philanthropy Project Committee

Thank you for coming to the 8th Annual Vietnamese Interacting as One Conference. Because of you, the conference was a success!

This weekend was full of such great words of wisdom, great opportunities, and great memories. Go Big or Go Home. That was definitely the attitude for this year’s conference. Everyone went in with open minds and open hearts and learned more about themselves and our roots.

We hope you remember all the great things that happened that amazing weekend. The creative family mascots, Lac Su’s empowering words, “Forget about saving face, because if we keep quiet – we don’t get a voice,” and the incredible workshops. Beau Sia’s passionate and smooth poetry, the unforgettable celebration at the Orpheum, and most importantly, remembering that anything is possible.

Thanks again for coming! We cannot wait to see all your faces at the upcoming events!

Sincerely,

Dan Huynh and Chan Huynh

Survey

To help us make the VIA-1 bigger and better every year, please take a few minutes to fill out this conference survey. It will only take a few minutes of your time. At the end of the survey you will find the direct links to the two group pictures we took on Sunday morning. If you’ve already taken the survey, the picures can be found below. http://bit.ly/2010VIA1Survey

Group Pictures

To download the group pictures, please visit http://www.via1.org/media

Lisa’s CPP Message

VIA-1 Attendees, I really appreciate all the effort & donations that went into the crazy Polar Plunge, the now-famous white donation box and your individual school fundraisers. You really did a wonderful thing. Vietnamese American history began with our parents and elders making a bold and perilous escape amidst chaos in a crumbling country in the name of freedom. They arrived in the US, against all odds; no money, often no education, no language and no understanding of western culture. They worked long and hard hours, day in and day out for so many years, so that all of us could have the homes, cars, education and privileges that we have today. Their stories of raising some of the greatest young student leaders in the US, like yourselves, are the cornerstones of Vietnamese American history. Your contributions mean that the stories of our brave and valiant elders will be told, written down and preserved. Imagine how well they will sleep, knowing that there is generation of people behind them that will carry on their legacy. Talk about honor and respect! You, VSAs of the Midwest, have the utmost respect and gratitude from the Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation, uNAVSA, the CPP Committee and many young and old Vietnamese Americans today who have untold stories. Again, thank you so much for all you’ve done for the “500 Oral Histories Project.”

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Collective Philathropy Project: VietHope Goals

Come join us for a night of bidding on some of the best of AAA and VSA!!! There will be members that will be auctioned off for different kinds of dates!

 People that are being auctioned off:

Adrienne Fu (AAA)
Andy Huynh & Danny Huynh (VSA)
Brian Tran (VSA)
Chan Huynh (VSA)
Christine Kim (AAA)
Cindy Lee (AAA)
Dudley Tyen (AAA)
Hans Duong (VSA)
Jackie Nguyen (VSA)
Jiunn Her Phang (AAA)
Jocelyne Yune-hie Lee (VSA)
KC Chu (AAA)
Kim Hangoc (VSA)
Liz Nguyen (VSA)
Mia Kim (AAA)
Michael Tsao (AAA)
Pierson Tu (VSA)
Priscilla Choi (AAA)
Sunny Chen (AAA)
Tony Ren (AAA)
Wayne Dang (AAA)

All proceeds go to charity:
VietHope | http://www.viethope.org
Kids Konnected | http://www.kidskonnected.org

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