UVSA 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan, community-based and youth-oriented organization designed to provide a united voice for Vietnamese American youth and bringing together students from different colleges and high schools in Southern California. UVSA of Southern California currently represents 13 collegiate Vietnamese Student Associations/Union and the Vietnamese American High School Alliance, which consists of 15 high-school level VSAs. UVSA was founded in 1982 as a means for youth to organize socially and politically within the community. Committed to cultural awareness, educating peers, and community service, UVSA is composed of volunteers including alumni, young professionals, educators, and college and high school students. Annual activities and programs that UVSA organize include the UVSA Tet Festival of Southern California; VAHSA and UVSA leadership camps; Black April Commemoration in remembrance of the Fall of Saigon; UVSA Gala, Winter Formal, College Fair, Beach Day and Bonfire, and Friendship Games. In addition, UVSA hosts a number of charitable and advocacy events such as charity car washes, fundraising dinner for camps, International Human Rights Night, candle light vigils for religious freedom in Vietnam, and more.