Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association Inc

Programs: Direct services:mvma seeks to empower low-income families and seniors through direct services and by providing access to government and private programs. Two such programs are the the vietnamese parenting enrichment project (vpep)and the golden age of seniors (gaps). Vpep is a program that works in partnership with low-income parents to ensure the well being of their children's educational and social development. Mvma's goal is to empower parents to be more involved in their children's education. A well established body of literature supports the idea that when parents are involved and engaged in their children's education, children have higher grades, increased motivation, better self esteeem, decreased substance abuse, and greater enrollment rates in post-secondary education (college). However,according to montgomery county public schoools, participation among low-income vietnamese parents is poor. This program bridges the problem by strengthening families' capacities and fostering stronger educational experiences for children. Mvma provides bi-weekly home visits that follow a structured curriculum for parents. The curriculum covers such things as how to effectively communicate with their child's teacher, how to read and understand report cards, how to promote healthy diets and behaviors, and how to support healthy sanitation practices. Additionally, mvma hosts three parenting workshops throughout the year. Gaps was launched in november 2005, and is designed to help vietnamese seniors lead happy and independent lives by making sure that they have access to healthcare, social services, and recreational resources that they otherwise may not have access to due to language barriers.

education and cultural awareness: mvma hosts an annual summer academic community picnic designed to unify multiple generations of vietnamese americans by promoting cultural traditions, history, art, and language, in addition to building awareness, capacity and solidarity within the community.

advocacy: mvma provides assistance to immigrants and refugees by helping people file for green cards, u. S. Citizenship, and family sponsorship.