Vietnamese American Non-Governmental Organizations Formalize Network to Strengthen Voice More than 130 participants from 36 Vietnamese American Non-Governmental Organizations (VA NGOs) throughout the United States convened at the Second VA NGO Conference from November 18-20, 2005 in Sonoma County, California. The theme for this year's conference is "Collaboration and Community Advocacy." The goal is to formalize the founding of the VA NGO Network so that VA NGOs can speak as one voice in communicating with funders, the US and Vietnamese governments on issues relating to their development and humanitarian programs in Vietnam. (Read more...)
Mid-Autum Festival - Tet Trung Thu ICAN hosted a lantern workshop and provided animal balloons to children in the annual Mid-Autum Festival which organized by Viet-American Cultural Foudation in downtown San Jose, on Saturday 09/17/05. ICAN's booths attracted hundreds of children and parents to make the lanterns. The animal balloon table served non-stop from 10:00AM-9:00PM. Almost 10,000 sheets of paper were handed out to lantern makers. The workshop and animal balloon table was not possible without enthusiaism of more than 30 young volunteers. They worked tirelessly to help children make colorful lanterns. Lanterns had been a symbol of the Festival. View pictures:1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 Lantern Tutorial: html, pdf
Parent Appreciation Day - "Doa Hong Cho Ngay Vu Lan" ICAN and Lieu Quan Buddhist Cultural Center together organized a concert to celebrate "Vietnamese Parent Appreciation Day" at Santa Clara Convention Center (San Jose) on August 13, 2005 to honor Vietnamese parents for their devotion to their children. This was a cultural event based on the Buddhist Ullambana tradition of paying hommage to and praying for one's parents and ancestors. The goal of the celebration was to preserve Vietnamese tradition and cultural values while helping to strengthen family foundation and foster communications between parents and children. View Flyer. View pictures: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
ICAN received "Award of Excellence" at NAVASA Conference
At NAVASA 2005 Leadership Conference (July 15-16, 2005, McClean, Virginia), ICAN was recognized for its outstanding performance, commitment and dedication in helping Vietnamese youth find their own cultural identity by engaging them in public service and other family/community strengthening activities. ICAN was also appreciated for its unrelenting efforts in mobilizing the community to recognize, understand and address the needs of Vietnamese youth and children. Huy Bui, Executive Director of NAVASA, complimented: "ICAN members do things well, and they do it with Integrity and Passion." View pictures: 1 | 2 | 3 Articles: from Kimball Vuu; from Trannie Pham
Community Resource Fair
On Sunday, June 6, 2005, ICAN members shared the fun with children at the Community Resource Faire in Kelly Park, San Jose, California. This was an annual event gathered local organizations in the community, many of those were Vietnamese non-profit organizations. The children falled in love with face-painting performed by our young member Trannie, the animal balloon by talented 7-year-old Khoi & Ben. Blowing bubbles not only attracted the children but also the parents. View pictures: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08.
Vesak Day & Children Fair More than 800 people attended the Vesak Day organized by Lieu Quan Buddhist Cultural Center on May 14, 2005 to celebrate the Birth of Buddha. This Buddhist tradition offers a chance for everyone to pray for world peace, and to be together with families and friends in a joyful atmostphere. Fun activities for children were provided by ICAN, with the support of over 20 volunteers to man various stations: Jasmine, Alfie and their team operated the cotton candy and pop corn machines. A lemonade stand was set up by the trio: Khoi, Minh and Ben to help raise fund for poor children. Minh-Ai, 8 year old, also displayed her origami work to help raise fund. Special soccer training tips were provided by Alvin and Jose, students from Bowridge Middle School in San Mateo County. Other games and activities included animal twisting balloons, bubbles, drawings, hoola hoops, tug-of-war, face painting etc. It was a good opportunity for the children to learn about Vietnamese tradition and heritage by actually feeling, experience, living the culture. In the words of Tuyen Nguyen, a volunteer from DeAnza College: “I’m exhausted, but I loved every bit of it, and I will do it again.” View pictures: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Tsunami Relief Effort With outpouring support from the Vietnamese American communities and organizations, ICAN successfully raised close to $100,000 to support tsunami victims in India , Thailand and Sri Lanka . Read more ...
Hat Cho Tuoi Tho 3 - Fundraising concert The annual fundraising concert was held at Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara on March 6, 2005. The event was a success with more than 1200 audiences attending. "Hat Cho Tuoi Tho 3" also brought a numberous young volunteers who believed in the good cause to help the children. The event wasn't possible without supporting from sponsors, media, the community, and the volunteers. The fund raised was used to support various programs in Vietnam and San Jose. View pictures: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05
TechTeens The TechTeens program provides web design training to Vietnamese youth in the Bay area and encourages them to contribute their talents to the community by building websites for small local non-profit organizations. Email to info@ican2.org for more information.
IN VIETNAM
Tue Tinh Duong Free Clinic Grand Opening Updating... Click here to see a dedicated page ...
More than 800 people attended the Vesak Day organized by Lieu Quan Buddhist Cultural Center on May 14, 2005 to celebrate the Birth of Buddha. This Buddhist tradition offers a chance for everyone to pray for world peace, and to be together with families and friends in a joyful atmostphere. Fun activities for children were provided by ICAN, with the support of over 20 volunteers to man various stations: Jasmine, Alfie and their team operated the cotton candy and pop corn machines. A lemonade stand was set up by the trio: Khoi, Minh and Ben to help raise fund for poor children. Minh-Ai, 8 year old, also displayed her origami work to help raise fund. Special soccer training tips were provided by Alvin and Jose, students from Bowridge Middle School in San Mateo County. Other games and activities included animal twisting balloons, bubbles, drawings, hoola hoops, tug-of-war, face painting etc. It was a good opportunity for the children to learn about Vietnamese tradition and heritage by actually feeling, experience, living the culture. In the words of Tuyen Nguyen, a volunteer from DeAnza College: “I’m exhausted, but I loved every bit of it, and I will do it again.”
With outpouring support from the Vietnamese American communities and organizations, ICAN successfully raised close to $100,000 to support tsunami victims in India , Thailand and Sri Lanka . 
