About Us

Founded in 2000 by three Vietnamese refugees, ICAN’s mission from the start has always been to raise the next generation of caring, strong leaders.

Focusing on prevention and early intervention, we aim to raise community awareness and provide education on issues, especially ones considered controversial or taboo within the Asian-American community.

International Children Assistance Network

is a (501)(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2000 with the goal of engaging families to help children become successful and caring leaders in society. Our programs aim to help provide parents with the confidence and skills to be their own advocates.

Our Vision

We envision building a Vietnamese American community where everyone is ENGAGED, INFORMED, and INSPIRED to make a difference.
Who We Benefit

We help families prepare for their children to succeed in the United States with a strong cultural identity. We work with grandparents and parents in the Vietnamese American community to benefit young children, pre-teens, and adolescents who may be at risk as a result of growing up in a trans-cultural environment.
Our Approach

We approach the teaching of parenting skills with the consideration of the challenges of raising a cross-cultural family blended with an understanding of child developmental psychology. This unique approach allows us to highlight the best qualities of traditional Vietnamese culture with the scientific understanding of psychology to help both parents and children make the best of a constantly changing dynamic environment.
Our Values

We strive to possess in our work values of compassion, commitment, excellence, diversity, and innovation because we believe that these same traits are the ones that are most important in building a healthy community from village to society, from childhood to maturity, and from one generation to the next.
Our History

We are a community of refugees and immigrants trying to build a new life in a new land. We want to give back and help change lives, much like the way our lives were changed — for the better — here in the United States.

Our Mission

To engage, inform, and inspire Vietnamese-Americans to raise the next generation of caring leaders through humanitarian programs, culturally responsive social programs, and community-based research.

We strive to help children and youth realize their potential by building strong families and community support networks to provide them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to succeed in life.

Through our programs, we empower children and youth to become caring, responsible, and productive members of their families and communities. By spreading the spirit of “youth empowering youth,” they will pioneer the way to a brighter future.

Our History

Our story, from humble beginnings to our work today.

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Our Team

Curious about the amazing minds behind our organization? Click the button below!

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Our Impact

Our impact over the last 15+ years, internationally and domestically.

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Our Model

Engage

ICAN passionately pursues the engagement of the Vietnamese-American community through parenting programs, community outreaches, and charitable initiatives.
Inform

ICAN’s reach allows us to inform the old and new generations of Vietnamese-Americans the importance of understanding cultural gaps and the benefits of community involvement.
Inspire

ICAN works to raise the next generation of caring leaders to inspire them to make lasting changes as active, progressive members of their community.

ICAN is proud to have been selected as

Nonprofit of the Year

by Assembly Member Kansen Chu (Assembly District 25) for our passion and unrelenting commitment and dedication to strengthening the Vietnamese American community by developing the next generation of caring leaders.

We would like to share this honor with our funders, donors, supporters, and participants, as well as our staff and volunteers who have trusted and stood by us for all these years. Without you, ICAN would not have been able to achieve such success. We thank you for your continued support.

Testimonials

“I cried whenever I yelled at my son, but I couldn’t help myself. I don’t know why. I got easily irritated with them, when all they did was just be kids. ICAN helped me appreciate my children and enjoy being a parent. I’m grateful that ICAN is around to help us.”

— ICAN participant and mother

“My daughter had severe separation anxiety. ICAN’s staff are so skilled and patient while working with us. After a year, my daughter is independent, cooperative, and social! Now, I can commit to volunteering with ICAN, because I want to help parents who struggle with their children like me.”

— Lan Phuong Tran, associate community worker

“Being a part of the ICAN family has provided me with experiences that I’ll never forget. I was able to play a vital role in impacting the Vietnamese community. ICAN creates opportunities for staff members, interns, and volunteers to really grow and thrive.”

— Tammy Lam, ICAN intern

“Working with ICAN this summer has been a truly grounding and educational experience. There are many aspects to this internship that I could not have experienced elsewhere, such as volunteering many ours with the Vietnamese community as well as working with an empowering and encouraging staff of Vietnamese women.”

— Kristy Lu, ICAN Intern

“Kids in Vietnam need ICAN because they do not have a roof over their head, but we kids in American need ICAN because we do not have a foundation under our feet.”

— Quyen Dinh, Former ICAN Staff

“I like that the ICAN program uses the Vietnamese language in their programs and incorporate our traditional teachings like respect your elders, because I want my children to know their cultural roots.”

— Khang, ICAN Participant

“This program helps parents to have an excellent relationship with the children. It is also a safe place for parents to freely discuss their challenges at home.”

— ICAN Triple P Participant

“The internship definitely helped me become more assertive by learning to speak up and offer my help to the team. It gave a taste of the work and responsibilities of life outside of high school. Overall, I believe the ICAN internship was a great experience for me - teaching me new skills specific to ICAN and the real world.”

— Thu (Gabby) Vu, ICAN Intern

“I want ICAN to reach out to more people and tell them about brain development and the importance of the first five years. It’s fascinating for us to learn how to raise our children so they can be smart, happy, and do well in school.”

— ICAN Happy 5 Participant