The Vietnamese Association, Toronto

The Vietnamese Association, Toronto (VAT) is a Canadian nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to serving the Vietnamese community and supporting newcomers in Toronto and surrounding areas. Founded in 1972 by Vietnamese students studying in Canada, the association has evolved from a volunteer social group into a multi-service agency incorporated in 1979[1][2][4][5].

History

The association was established as a fraternal organization in 1972 by a group of Vietnamese students from South Vietnam studying abroad. In 1979, it formally became a registered nonprofit charitable organization to better serve the needs of the Vietnamese diaspora and immigrant communities in Canada[1][2][4].

Mission and Objectives

VAT's mission focuses on three core goals:

• Providing settlement and adaptation services to assist new immigrants in integrating and participating successfully in Canadian society

• Promoting mutual understanding, tolerance, and racial harmony among different ethno-cultural communities

• Preserving and promoting Vietnamese heritage and culture to enrich multiculturalism in Canada[1][4][5]

To fulfill this mission, the association offers education, counseling, language instruction, scholarships, employment training, job search programs, and translation services. It also organizes workshops and seminars addressing health, social, and economic issues such as government income assistance, women’s health, domestic abuse, and gambling addiction[4].

Services and Programs

VAT provides a range of free settlement services to eligible newcomers funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Services are delivered in eight languages, including English, French, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan, and Hindi, ensuring accessibility across diverse communities[1][2][5].

The organization operates multiple locations in Toronto, North York, and Scarborough to offer convenient access. It maintains active community engagement through heritage events and social activities celebrating Vietnamese culture[1][2][3].

Governance and Affiliations

The association is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors elected annually by its membership. VAT is a member of several umbrella organizations, including the Vietnamese Canadian Federation (VCF), the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), and the Canadian Multicultural Council – Asians in Ontario[4].

Significance

The Vietnamese Association, Toronto plays a vital role in fostering the social integration of Vietnamese immigrants and other newcomers, supporting cultural preservation, and promoting multicultural understanding within Canadian society. Its comprehensive settlement programs and community services contribute significantly to the wellbeing of immigrants and the enrichment of Canada's cultural diversity[1][4][5].

[1] https://www.vatoronto.ca/english [2] https://www.vatoronto.ca [3] https://www.instagram.com/vatoronto/ [4] https://cmc-ao.com/vietnamese-association-toronto/ [5] https://settlementatwork.org/en/organizations-and-agencies/vietnamese-association-toronto