Imagine an under-resourced place in East San Jose where Vietnamese immigrants live with significant health and social disparities. The community is painfully aware that due to legacy of war, political persecution, and mass displacement, they have been through significant multigenerational trauma. They prioritized and advocated for the building of a trusted place where they can receive mental health services in their own language or through an interpreter that they trust. They also participated in designing a “one stop shop” where they can receive holistic care with primary care, pharmacy, labs, health education and other support services.

The Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC) was built in the heart of San Jose’s to address critical mental health needs of this underserved community. Over a span of one year the VASC was able to provide mental health services to 240 patients. Culturally responsive services provided include individual and group counseling, psychiatric services, crisis intervention and peer support services. Other essential services were also made available to this underserved community.