MHHD’s Vietnamese counselor helps fishing community

Responding to BP oil disaster

MHHD’s Vietnamese counselor helps fishing community

Since last year’s BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion and the subsequent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, members of Mississippi’s Vietnamese fishing community have been seeking the help of MHHD’s Thao “Jennifer” Vu, for her counseling, interpreting and advocacy skills.

“There is no simple, easy solution to many issues,” said Mrs. Vu.

She explained that, with Gulf waters closed until April 19, 2011, Vietnamese fishing families were seeking help from area service agencies. They needed translators, help to complete applications, and referrals to aid in navigating the social system for food, medical care, low-rent housing, and potential compensation from BP.

“Staff members within the organizations have to do the work because it is there,” she said.

Mrs. Vu added that helping with direct services quickly led to the awareness that the Vietnamese also needed interpreters and advocates at public meetings such as those conducted by the Coast Guard, Department of Marine Resources, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and other state and federal agencies.

“As a community organizer,” she said, “I schedule or promote meetings for fishermen at a site where the people can air their questions and concerns.”

Since joining Mercy Housing and Human Development’s staff in 2009, Mrs. Vu has traveled to Washington D.C. three times and met with members of Congress to discuss the impact of the disaster on Vietnamese-American communities, advocating for culturally competent language access and raising concerns about fishing sustainability.

During her time at MHHD, she has case managed and interpreted application assistance for over 100 clients in the claims process, and she has aided clients with navigating other resources.