Leadership Training/Summer Camping/Spring Picnic

• A dynamic Team Leader who knows the issues teenagers face and can provide a well-structured place for youth develop. Doan Truong should articulate the benefits of sinh hoat to teenagers, and keep them engaged through various meaningful activities such as age-appropriate games, community service, creative projects, and tasks requiring leadership skills.
• When this year started, I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We were unsteady and we didn’t know what being a group is all about. There were many obstacles that took us down, but we learned to start building ourselves back up again with a little bit more trust.
• Yes, everyone is different with their own interests, but that’s what makes this group, a living, breathing, functional group by learning to accept each other for who we are. Through it all, we’re closer than we’ve ever been, but there is always room for improvement.
• Once everything got started, it was still fun. I got to meet a lot of new people. This year I have been more active and the output of my input has made this year the best year I ever had.
• I’m proud to say that I was able to be apart of this group and thanks for giving me the passion to keep coming here every Sunday to be with you girls.
• At the picnic in Livermore after we got there, we split up and played games in our groups. Then we were able to play volleyball, swim, eat. It was pretty fun.

Volley Ball League

• Volleybal League has been a great opportunity for VECA as a whole to focus our energy and restlessness into a sport that is easy to pick up on. Young elementary school children as well as the aging parents have competed and enjoyed playing volleyball competitively and recreationally. This will always be a great outlet for every one of all ages to understand the true meaning of team work and leadership.
• Volleyball has been more competitive because almost everyone has gotten to be a lot better. Although not everyone could make it to all the games, the matches were still challenging. Being a captain this year was not as challenging. The most challenging part of being a captain this year was trying to find the best positions for my players. My team had a great season.
• Team Elite, I love you guys! We did it! We won the Championship!! Yay us! I really love my team.
• I have been playing Volleyball for about 2 1/2 years. Playing in the League for VECA has given me a lot of experience working as a team and developing more of my volleyball skills. This year I played with my 5 best friends-Team Elite. We worked hard and played hard and that’s what brought us to become the American Dream 2007 Champions. I just want to say thanks to my teammates and my friends who have helped me into the great volleyball player that I am. One Team. One Dream. One Great Love.

Community Services – To reach out to help others with no Reservations (Intentions)

• Participated in Alameda County Community Food Bank for 2007 Holiday food drive. VECA donated a total of 520 lbs of food. Our donation helped to provide 406 meals to the people in need in the Alameda County!
• 1st time to visit the lonely senior patients at Parkview Convalescent Home, Hayward. 22 of us tried to bring the warmth and joy, the sense of compassion. During these visits, the children gain an appreciation for the warmth of the family, as well as an understanding of cultivation the kindness and goodness in their daily lives.
• Here are few thoughts from the young participationers
  o One good deed I have done was when I helped with the African fund at school. I helped by encouraging my friends to donate and I donated too. I also donated my clothes to charity.
  o I normally make sandwiches at home to give to the poor. When a person asks for a blanket, I give them one to keep. I also donate lots of peanut butter to food drives to help the needy make more sandwiches during the summer. I donate my old clothes and toys to collection centers for other people.

Vietnamese Language and History Learning

• Doing the research about Vietnamese history,I learned that if you do not do anything about a situation, then there would not be any today. Standing up for what you believe is the best way to do it and fight for what you believe.
• I learned a lot of things about Vietnam. It is so fascinating. I learned many things from the past that I never knew before.
• My attitude toward Vietnam has changed. Reading about Vietnamese history makes me proud to be a Vietnamese American. Learning about it is really interesting too.
• For both, the balance of speaking English and Vietnamese are pushing them to reach their highest potentials.

Mindful Path (Harmony, Trust, and Joy)

• I use harmony with my brother by finding something we both like. When I see him do something that I like then I do it. When I am doing something my brother likes, I let him play with me. I trust people when I really see them do it. Then I trust them. That is why.
• I can use harmony by calming myself down when I’m mad at my family. I can learn trust by lending or sharing stuff. I can share my joy by sharing my joy.
• We can use harmony by not hitting people, don’t take your anger on somebody. You could play together with other people and help people by donating or helping your parents around the house. We can use trust by telling the truth and trust people to return your things to you. You can also use trust by trusting people that have a lot of experience. You can use joy by sharing your joy, act happy and appreciate what you have.
• These four girls were split into the 4 regions of Vietnam. This is a great opportunity for them to learn about foods, toys and games from all over Vietnam. They are all bringing back a little piece of knowledge that they can share with one another. Collaboratively, they have learned a lot. And even in this whole educational experience, they look like they are really enjoying themselves. It is possible that they are having so much fun that they don’t even realize that they are learning! – Good natured, wholesome fun that also gives valuable knowledge.