Founded in 1994, VietAID is the nation’s first and only community development corporation founded and operated by Vietnamese refugees and immigrants and addresses many of the daily challenges that Vietnamese Americans and other low-income Boston residents face. VietAID provides childcare, after school, summer, youth leadership, and literacy programs to improve children’s academic and socio-emotional growth. VietAID also builds affordable housing for low-income families, provides housing counseling services, and promotes grassroots leadership development and civic participation. In 2001, VietAID joined with community members to build a $5.1 million Vietnamese American Community Center as a place for the community to come together and take part in a range of social services and cultural celebrations. VietAID serves over 500 low-income residents in Fields Corner/Dorchester.