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The History of VSS MN Mr. Vy Pham, the founder of VSS put up his own house as collateral which later transitioned to the Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota in May, 1987. During its 37-year history, VSS has helped thousands of refugees and immigrants overcome formidable language and cultural barriers to successful adjustment to life in their new country. VSS has received broad recognition for its programs for refugees and immigrants. In 1992, President George HW Bush designated VSS the 956th Point of Light of the Nation. VSS was a recipient of the Minnesota Peace Prize in 1995. In 1997, the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans selected VSS to receive the Asian Leadership Award. The National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies chose VSS to receive the “Most Valuable Member Agency Award”. |
VSS’ overall organizational goal is to further strengthen its capacity to meet the existing and emerging needs of the Vietnamese community and newer refugee groups. Over the years, we have evolved to follow what is most relevant to our broader communities which include Karen/Karenni from Burma and East Africans from Somalia and Ethiopia. Through these inter-organizational collaborations with similar missions, VSS has fostered a concerted effort to reach out to additional populations with similar needs, expanding the opportunities to promote community engagement. |
Our Vision To help shape a better future by fostering trusting relationships through partnerships, preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge and sharing our resources for unity. We hope to uplift Minnesota immigrant communities together. VSS is committed to uplifting the identity of refugee and immigrant Minnesotans while partnering with those who have been a part of our solutions, responding to the complex issues and needs of refugee and immigrant Minnesotans. We invite you to continue to walk with VSS. Our shared paths will take us to places where everyone will thrive with strength, voices, and wisdom. |