Established in 1976, the Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI), a 501(c)(3), has served thousands of Vietnamese Americans and other ethnic refugee and immigrant communities in facilitating resettlement and citizenship, building community, raising political awareness, providing educational opportunities, addressing multi-generational issues for seniors and youth, and strengthening cultural heritage. VAI’s mission is to strengthen and perpetuate the unity and solidarity of the Vietnamese residing in the state of Illinois; generate and implement the mutual assistance spirit among the Vietnamese ethnic group members; promote, support, and develop cultural, social and educational programs to serve people in Illinois; and foster the development and strength of various Vietnamese organizations in the state of Illinois.