The arrival of most Vietnamese Americans in Boston commenced as refugees in 1975 after the Vietnam War. Most of these refugees were less or unskilled and non–English speaking. The Asian American community, especially the Vietnamese community, concentrated around Fields Corner district grew in the 1980s. This community faced many challenges, including but not limited to high unemployment, residential instability and family separation, low homeownership rates, mental health issues, and lack of social support.
Established in 1984, the Vietnamese American Civic Association (VACA) is the first 501 (c) (3) registered primary social service agency, serving to integrate Vietnamese American residents of the greater Boston area into American society by enhancing their self-advocacy and civic involvement. The mission of VACA is
"To promote family self-sufficiency and well-being and to facilitate community empowerment among the Vietnamese community of Boston and Greater Boston."
Since its inception, VACA is located in Fields Corner, the heart of Boston's Vietnamese community, and its key activities and programs address the following needs or service areas:-
(i) Social Service: Assist community members in accessing public benefits, cash assistance, SSI/SSDI
(ii) Health Education and Promotion: Provide assistance to help community member’s access health insurance and health care service.
(iii) Immigration and Civics Education: Furnish assistance to community members in filing citizenship applications or immigration paperwork; provide citizenship and civics instruction for speakers of other languages; implement voter registration activities.
(iv) Community Development Classes: Provide English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes to all ages; computer literacy classes.
(v) Youth Development: Provide internship opportunities and job readiness classes and implement intervention for runaway and at-risk youth.
Vietnamese American Civic Association Boston A Heart-Warming Vietnamese Community in Massachusetts, USA