Dear VAYA Members and Supporters,

Please find the latest updates from VAYA in the following categories:

I. VAYA General Updates
II: VAYA Tet 2010 Updates
III: Community Relations Updates
IV: VAYA & other Organizations Updates
V: "Shout-Outs" from VAYA

I. VAYA General Updates
VAYA is in the process of forming the committee for our 2010 Asian/Pacific Islander American Youth Conference (APIAYC), aimed for July 2010. Please visit our official website (http://www.vayasd.org/) for further information and "Conference Coordinator" applications if you want to be a part of the organizing committee. Please email eboard@vayasd.org if you have immediate questions or concerns.

As the summer dwindles down, we are seeking leaders to take on some projects, including the: Annual Street Clean Up Event, Mid-Autumn (Tet Trung Thu) Festival, and many others. If you have an interest in being more involved in VAYA by taking on a leadership role, please email us for more information at eboard@vayasd.org.

II: VAYA Tet 2010 Updates
Don't forget that VAYA is actively recruiting new general VAYA staff and Tet 2010 Committee staff to add to our team. Please visit our official website (http://www.vayasd.org/) to download the application along with a document detailing the duties and responsibilities for each of the position. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis. While the majority of the Tet 2010 positions have been filled, we are looking for a few more applicants to head the Budget and Sponsorship Committee. If interested, please email the Tet Co-Chairs at: chair@sdtet.com. Congratulations to those selected to be a staff for the VAYA 2010 Tet Festival.

III: Community Relations Updates
The California Endowment has selected City Heights as one of 14 communities to invest significant resources over the next 10 years as part of its state-wide initiative on Building Healthy Communities. Tri Nguyen, along with members Calix Vu-Bui and Huong Nguyen currently work with Mid-City CAN (Community Advocacy Network) to educate our community about this invaluable opportunity to shape policies that will have significant impact on City Heights in the next 10 years. They are interested in hearing from residents, service providers, and community leaders in City Heights on what they think this community needs most. You can attend one of the following meetings to learn more about this initiative and tell CA Endowment what you personally think will help improve this community. ** Refreshments, childcare, and interpretation in Vietnamese will be provided. (Credit: Tri Nguyen, former VAYA President 2006-2008).

• Thursday, 8/13/09 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM Location: 3037 44th St. San Diego, CA 92115. (Lead by: Tri Nguyen & Huong Nguyen: tringuyen11@gmail.com).
• Thursday, 8/13/09 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM Location: City Heights Wellness Center 4440 Wightman St. # 200 San Diego, CA 92105. (Lead by: Calix Vu-Bui, calixvubui@gmail.com).
• Saturday, 8/15/09 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: 4635 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115. (Lead by: Tri Nguyen & Huong Nguyen: tringuyen11@gmail.com).

IV: VAYA & other Organizations Updates
As the newest VietACT (Vietnamese Alliance to Combat Trafficking) Intern (http://www.vietact.org/), Calix Vu-Bui will be teaching an Art Class to the victims at the shelter in Taiwan. VAYA would like to support her and VietACT, so we are having an "Art Supplies Drive" from August 1st to the 23rd. Come to ANY VAYA meetings and/or events during that period to drop off your donations. Please visit http://vietactintern.blogspot.com/ for details on how to donate your art supplies.

V: "Shout-Outs" from VAYA
The end of summer marks the beginning of a new journey for some of our members. Our very own Calix Vu-Bui (Community Relations Coordinator II) will be departing for Taiwan for her internship at a human trafficking shelter and members Duc Hoang and Sheila Khanh Nguyen will be departing for Pharmacy School in Chicago. Safe travels to everyone and best of luck with your new adventures.

VAYA would like to thank Hội Hải Quân Hàng Hải Việt Nam Cộng Hoà San Diego for organizing a community gathering this past weekend (see photo above). Additional photos of the event can be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/Hai.Tran18/CaunguyenTamtoa?authkey=Gv1sRgCNmKu7fpy5-5AQ#.

For a complete listing of VAYA's upcoming events/meetings, please visit our official calendar at: http://www.vayasd.org/calendar/. Please direct any questions or concerns to VAYA Secretary, Anthony (Vinh) Nguyen, at secretary@vayasd.org.

On behalf of VAYA's Executive Board and Staff, thank you for your continual support.

About the Author: Anthony (Vinh) T. Nguyen serves as Secretary for VAYA.