Vietnamese American Community of Austin, Texas

Vietnamese American Community of Austin, Texas (VACAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the Austin community through comprehensive advocacy, social services, and culturally appropriate programming. Since its founding in August 1997, VACAT has established itself as a vital resource serving the estimated 20,000 Vietnamese-American residents of Central Texas. The organization delivers a diverse range of services including cultural arts programming, networking and outreach initiatives, and educational and social justice advocacy. VACAT operates an annual community health fair with professional translation services in Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Burmese, reflecting its commitment to accessible healthcare. The organization also facilitates meaningful community connections through youth programs, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships with local organizations addressing employment, social services, senior care, and health-related issues. VACAT's cultural education initiatives preserve Vietnamese heritage through annual celebrations including Lunar New Year, Black April, Tet Trung Thu, and Vietnamese Cultural Celebrations. The organization has impacted more than 70,000 people throughout the greater Austin area through charitable, educational, and cultural events. VACAT collaborates with numerous community partners including the Asian American Resource Center, Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, CommUnityCare, Asian Family Support Services of Austin, and local Vietnamese Buddhist temples and churches. Additional programs include homeless shelter support, senior activities, civic initiatives like voter registration and citizenship education, and a free yoga and wellness platform developed in partnership with Austin Public Health.