Enhancing the health, education, and social well-being of low-income and underserved people in the greater Houston metropolitan area through its many health care programs, training programs and community service programs, including the provision of safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income families.

Community Service Programs

Agencies in Action – An Energy Efficiency Program: Partnering with Frontier Associates to help low-income households in the Center Point Energy electric service territories in Houston reduce energy and utility costs, by installing energy efficient materials in eligible homes that will reduce 30% of energy costs per household, since 2008. Each home is assessed and a computer audit is performed to determine the modifications needed. Eligible homes receive Compact Florescent Light Bulbs (CFL), solar screens, attic insulation, and a refrigerator that will help to reduce energy consumption. VNTW’s assessors also check air conditioners (central and window units) and determine whether replacement or repair is needed.

Legal Counseling: Hosting free monthly legal clinics in collaboration with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (HVLP), the Asian American Legal Center (AALC) and the Asian American Bar Association (AABA) to assist with different legal topics, including the preparation of wills and the legalization and naturalization process by providing legal aid, referral, and citizenship test preparation, since 1996.

Monthly Radio Talk Shows: This Vietnamese-language program (Radio Saigon Houston 900 AM) reaches approximately 20,000 listeners in Houston, since 2002.

Outreach Program: In 2003, VNTW received a grant from St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities (SLEHC) to act as liaison to southeast Houston’s Vietnamese Villages, which are isolated enclave communities for newer immigrants.

Translation Services: Translating documents Vietnamese to English and vice versa, since 2002.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program: Collaborating with the IRS to provide training for over 90 volunteers in order to assist over 1,500 low income taxpayers to file income tax each year at 6 different tax sites in Houston, since 1996.

Voter Education and Registration: Organizing Candidate’s Forum, posting bilingual billboards, assisting voters to practice on the eSlate voting machine, and encouraging the community to register and vote, since 1996. The VN TeamWork Center was selected by Harris County Clerk’s Office to be a polling location for early voting from 2000 to 2003.