Dear Friend,
Several years ago, I visited my family’s ancestral home in the central highlands of Vietnam, sharing memories and retracing my family’s refugee journey to the United States. As I reflect on the experiences my siblings and I endured as the children of refugees, I think of the care and comfort that refugee youth deserve during the tumultuousness of resettlement and the ways that youth voices and leadership are essential in shaping the future of their communities.
At SEARAC, we’re dedicated to uplifting Southeast Asian American youth and meeting their needs through research, training, and programming. Our data equity campaigns in California and nationwide invite SEAAs of all ages to be reflected in the data that shape our lives. Our Executive Director, Quyên Đinh, will serve on the 2030 Census Advisory Committee, advocating for the diversity of SEAA communities to be seen in this essential nationwide count. And the development of SEAA-specific ethnic studies curricula by our California team – which involved years of consultation and expertise with SEAA-led organizations across the state – ensures that K-12 students are aware of the history, identity, and culture of the Southeast Asian Americans who have indelibly impacted our country.
I see myself and my family reflected in the gorgeous illustration created for us by artist HNin Nie. Her design was inspired by the landscape of Vietnam’s central highlands and features a refugee child following the north star from her first home country to her next. HNin emphasizes through her work that identity and culture are not lost through resettlement. You can learn more about HNin on her website or by reading our interview with her here.
Join us in celebrating and uplifting Southeast Asian American refugee and immigrant youth through SEARAC’s research, policy advocacy, and leadership training – all of which require staff time, grants to partners and collaborators, and reimbursement for participants. Please consider making a recurring monthly gift to support Southeast Asian Americans for the next 50 years.
Phun H
Communications Associate
SEARAC