15 For 15 – Page 2

2011: AASuccess Students Promote First AASuccess Scholarship Open to the Public

On January 29th, 2011, AASuccess students organized a promotional event for an upcoming YouthCon Scholarship Program at a Tet Festival. It was the first time YouthCon engaged with the greater community by welcoming applicants from outside of AASuccess.

Before 2011, the annual YouthCon Scholarship targeted AASuccess students and close affiliates to demonstrate their mindset of giving back and drive to learn. However, in 2011, AASuccess looked to change gears for this event. The organization wanted to empower more students outside of AASuccess, and for our own students to help support community youth and lead this event. After all, it’s called YouthCon. So, how did we spread the word about this scholarship? With our students! This created an opportunity for them to develop their skills and give back to the community in a new setting. Five students, including Nini Nguyen, Kenny Ho, Mai Ly, Vihanh Tham, and Julie Hoang collaborated with one another to promote the scholarship. They were tasked with making flyers, poster boards, and recruiting people of different ages to apply. While building their communication skills, they got to network and promote the mission of YouthCon and AASuccess to the greater Northern Virginia community.

Because of this promotion, more people became aware of this program and were interested in applying. The 2011 YouthCon Scholarship ended greatly. Due to this effort, YouthCon programs in subsequent years have become increasingly student-led and widespread across the D.C-Metropolitan area. As shown through this impact, AASuccess has and will always work to impact people and communities through its mission, including recruiting more students from different backgrounds and strengthening our community bonds through giving back projects like YouthCon.

Quick Links

Life Skills Academy – Local Programs

DELTA Success – Global Programs

2010: The First Sustaining Member Program Event

In December 2010, AASuccess held its very first sustaining member program event to welcome potential and long-lasting AASuccess donors and allies. The event additionally informed the members about the importance of community involvement and showcased the milestones of AASuccess.

The objective of this dinner program, in which our Founder Dave Nguyen hosted, was to show how much our organization values our Sustaining Members and the new connections that we build. In addition to that, being a Sustaining Member would help with promoting their professional status, community involvement, along with assisting students in achieving their short-term and long-term goals. During the event, Chairman Mr. Scott Plein and Executive Director Ms. Khanh Mi Nguyen spoke to guests and had the chance to speak up about the significance of their involvement in AASuccess. Mai Ly, an AASuccess student, and member of the AASuccess finance team, also spoke about her experiences as a student who directly benefits from the addition of resources.

Here are some testimonials from our dedicated board member, Jim Alstrum-Acevedo:

What about AASuccess first sparked your interest in joining?

I attended a meeting of AASuccess in which one of the student members spoke. I had been told that the student who spoke had previously been very reluctant to speak publicly, so I was impressed by what I perceived to be the impact of AASuccess in providing this young person confidence and poise that enabled him to speak in front of a group of mostly strangers. At this point, I thought AASuccess had a good model and I was interested in seeing how I could help out.

How has your impression of our organization changed over the past? How do you think we have grown?

AASuccess has streamlined its processes over the years and has become more professional in the way in which it provides training in leadership and soft skills to our student members. It has also become well-known in the local Vietnamese community as an organization that is a community resource that strives to help where it can. I’m very optimistic about the impact AASuccess will continue to have in the future, especially when you consider that the students who graduate from our Life Skills Academy are proven leaders and active in their communities. AASuccess continues to disprove the notion that the “younger generation is not interested in civics or the broader community.” Young people want to make a positive impact on their communities and the world and AASuccess is giving them the tools they need to do just that.

How has AASuccess impacted you as an individual?

The impact of AASuccess on me has been to continually give me hope for the future of our community and country as the young people who come through the AASuccess doors are impressive individuals who are interested in helping others improve their lives. AASuccess is achieving its mission and I know the future will be in good hands.

Do you have any fond memories of the times you have been with us?

I really enjoy my memories of the different YouthCon events I’ve attended over the years. The students never fail to deliver a great event and to assume the challenge of leading and organizing such a big event. Additionally, I’m always impressed by the projects proposed by the YouthCon finalists. Each year I attend YouthCon I am impressed by what our young men and women, many of who are in high school or junior high school, accomplish. AASuccess is in good hands.

Looking into the future, AASuccess will continue to host events to further recognize and acknowledge sustaining members of AASuccess. The steady flow of support brought in by sponsors and members has allowed students to initiate community projects and assist in alleviating modern issues for many years. A big thank you to everyone who has been with us!

Quick Links

Life Skills Academy – Local Programs

DELTA Success – Global Programs

2009: Our First AASuccess Wellness Event

In December 2009, an AASuccess student, Jackie Ta, hosted our first Community Wellness Event. This program raised awareness for health and well-being among underserved Asian American families in Northern Virginia and supported AASuccess’ vision of encouraging better lifestyles within our community.

As a medical student at George Mason, Jackie Ta took the initiative to lead the first AASuccess Community Wellness Event in collaboration with community professionals, Mrs. Kim Ha Ly and Ms. Diane Nguyen. The main focus of that day was to give back knowledge and medical resources to the community. Free H1N1 flu shots were provided to attendees and volunteers hosted workshops educating people about the flu and how to live healthy lifestyles.

“This is the first Wellness Event; there were things that did not go as planned. The event was scheduled to begin at 10 AM; however, there were about 15 people who had come and were filling out the application by 9:30 AM. At around 10:30 AM, the hall was crowded, and the incidence of people getting frustrated and leaving caused the volunteer team to be a little anxious and shocked. However, we did have a good amount of people who were patient and had stayed at each station as we planned. This was not the best-planned event, but we did reach out to many Asian families.” (Student Volunteer, Mai Ly)

Following this 2009 event, AASuccess has embarked in several more health fairs in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2017. The following events have grown more successful with our growing outreach and network. With the expertise and continuing support of our volunteers, sponsors, and affiliates, AASuccess hopes to soon host another Community Wellness Event and give back to our communities with a greater passion than ever before.

Quick Links

Life Skills Academy – Local Programs

DELTA Success – Global Programs

2008: Bao Nguyen’s VNMAP Medical Mission Trip in Khanh Hoa, Vietnam

In June 2008, our own student Bao Nguyen, a freshman at George Mason University, embarked on a 2-week internship with the Viet Nam Medical Assistance Program (VNMAP) where he traveled with them to Khanh Hoa, Vietnam.

As a medical student-to-be, traveling with a team of seasoned medical students, as well as real doctors and pharmacists, was an exceptional experience. His peers in this opportunity provided Bao with the support and motivation he needed to perform clinical duties for eight or more hours a day, as everyone shared the same goal: to help as many patients as possible.

The main purpose and mission of the trip was to treat patients who were fighting with malnutrition, anemia, arthritis, and malaise. Other illnesses they saw, but may not have treated were goiters, blood diseases, leprosy, and heart conditions. It was also incredibly encouraging and rewarding for Bao when he saw how happy the patients were to finally receive the proper care and medicine needed for their health and wellbeing.

“Though the transition from one clinic to the next made it hard to adjust to the environmental conditions, treating the patients was our top priority and we all knew that instinctively. The humidity, mosquitoes, and lack of working space were the least of our worries, as we carefully tended to one patient who had a very slow heartbeat and respiratory rate. This was one particular moment that reminded us all of why we are doing what we’re doing and why we feel how we feel.”

“The trip opened my eyes to the basic needs that were lacking in Vietnam, needs that we as U.S. citizens often take for granted in America.”

Quick Links

Life Skills Academy – Local Programs

DELTA Success – Global Programs

2007: The Start of the Life Skills Academy

Most things created in this world have originated from an idea. People learn, and people create. As for AASuccess, this organization was founded by Dave Nguyen, along with the many people who supported him on his mission of fostering future leaders and philanthropists.

15 years ago, the first members of AASuccess met up to start something new. Through efforts, trials, and progression, they laid the foundation for the ever-increasing family of AASuccess members, supporters, and volunteers. AASuccess isn’t just the community projects and events, but also a place to advocate for peoples’ education about things beyond what is taught in school. For 15 years, members old and young have been learning hard and soft skills through opportunities and experiences.

During a quick Q&A session with Dave Nguyen, founder of AASuccess, he spoke about his thoughts and goals for the organization during the past 15 years:

Q: What was your original vision for AASuccess?

A: In retrospect, I believe that when AASuccess first started out, I wasn’t able to articulate my vision right away. My message back then was that I wanted to help everyone to give back, to do well in their community, and at the same time take care of their family, their well-being. Those actions would pave the way to become a good leader. A good leader or person is someone who can harness the will to not only strive professionally but also find time to give back. However, deep down, my vision for this organization was also tied into my passion for changing a person’s life through any single moment. That change may appear insignificant at first. However, if they could be impacted in a structured way through AASuccess and continue to undergo new experiences… If they could be further supported to gradually grow, confront difficulties, and challenges, that would be called success. AASuccess’s team would be able to make a better change in students whether it’s in 5 or 50 people. Now, with the help of many AASuccess members, the vision and mission for the AASuccess community have become clearer than ever. It’s about building people. changing peoples’ lives at an early age, and not missing out on the capabilities of young and old people.

Q: What is it like seeing the organization evolving greatly over the years? As a member and founder, in what ways do you feel accomplished in seeing the growth of AASuccess?

A: I think the joy and the gratification I get has always been from the moments where I see students becoming well-versed in their life, moving beyond AASuccess, and continuing on while keeping the essence of what we stand for in their life. I feel accomplished when I see students’ accomplishments in their wellbeing, growth, education, and their ability to do good in their community. I have been a part of AASuccess for quite some time, so I don’t need every alumni to come back and show me their development. I believe that they will have the ability to carry on in their lives with the fundamental memories and knowledge. Furthermore, I would feel accomplished if I could put an impact on students so that they would grow up to make a change in others as well. That ripple effect will pass on to others. For example, I recently met an old student, Mai Linh, and I saw that she has had a personal journey in impacting others, when in the past, she was in a similar situation to them. It is a full cycle, and that is really meaningful. That shows how the hard work, resources, and time you put in to grow and learn can make a difference in both yourself and others. Working at a non-profit, there is less money earned, but the things that come out of it are enough to make me, and many other people happy. It gives me the happiness that money can’t buy. Another accomplishment that I feel is when I have the opportunity to work with the students and have the ability to garner trust and partnership with them. The human interactions that I go through whether it’s with other mentors or students help me to develop my core values of communication and collaboration to make life better and more complete.

Quick Links

Life Skills Academy – Local Programs

DELTA Success – Global Programs