Vietnamese in Oakland
Oakland-based Vietnamese Organization Will Share Survey Findings on Issues Affecting the Oakland Vietnamese Community
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: FOR A BETTER OAKLAND DAY
A Unity Forum & Report on VietUnity’s 2007 Community Survey Project
Contact:
Cat Bao Le (Vietnamese) 510-862-1651
Carolyn Tran (English) 415-282-6209 ext. 15
WHO: VietUnity*
WHAT: VietUnity will present and discuss findings from a community-based research project that highlights major issues for the Vietnamese community in Oakland. The forum will also include discussions on mobilization and strategy.
WHERE: 655 International Blvd. Clinton Park Oakland, CA 94606
WHEN: 6pm-8pm, Thursday, October 25th, 2007
VietUnity will hold a Unity forum (CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: FOR A BETTER OAKLAND DAY ) to present and discuss the first community based survey project conducted in the Oakland San Antonio neighborhood, focused on the Vietnamese community. Topics of discussion will include major issues and conditions impacting the surveyed, Vietnamese Americans ages 16 – 35.
Although there is little information and research done on this age group beyond the census, our findings show that Vietnamese Americans continue to overcome challenges:
Some major findings in the report include:
• Housing: There is a need for affordable housing in Oakland. To be able to make rent in Oakland, 70% of those surveyed say they live with three or more family members or friends.
• Education: More than half say they want to obtain more education, but high tuition and school related expenses create real obstacles for young Vietnamese Americans to go to school.
• Unemployment: Young Vietnamese Americans face a high rate of unemployment (21%).
• Violence: At least one in four young Vietnamese Americans are extremely affected by gang violence and experience major problems in their neighborhood.
In Oakland, the Vietnamese population at 8,000 tends to be poorer and more recent immigrants, compared to Vietnamese counterparts elsewhere in California causing challenges to be overlooked and being assessed in the larger Vietnamese American discussions.
*VietUnity a grassroots, Oakland-based Vietnamese American organization will be hosting the Unity Forum. There will be a cultural performance by Linh Nguyen. The Unity Forum will highlight data findings and recommendations to community members and organizations who are interested in working on improving the lives of Vietnamese Americans living in Oakland. Community groups, parents and youth are expected to attend.
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