Vietnamese Support Group and Cam-Mi La

“My goal is to reach out to more people, and make a difference in others’ lives. I also hope to see the community play a more support role in each others lives”- Cam-Mi La

This month we would like to highlight our Community Outreach/Service Worker who leads the Vietnamese Support Group, Cam-Mi La, and the passion and commitment that she has dedicated to our community members. Cam-Mi has a background in case management working in other organizations where she worked with diverse populations struggling with mental and developmental needs. She was very excited to embark on her new role at CERI. She always wanted to reach out to more people in the community, but her previous case management positions limited her to working on the individual level. Cam-Mi’s first participant of her Vietnamese Support Group was an individual she had worked with when she was a case manager at another agency. From there, word spread through the community about this new resource, and the group quickly grew from 1 to 40 total participants. 

Now Cam-Mi works with mostly elderly immigrant and refugee individuals within the Vietnamese community in Alameda County. Many of these participants face cultural and language barriers in the United States, making it more difficult for them to access resources. This group has provided a safe space to help overcome those barriers, and has also become a family of close relationships where each participant is very comfortable in sharing their opinions and asking for help. Cam-Mi strongly encourages them to think critically for themselves. 

During their meetings, the group engages in entertaining activities and workshops that focus on healthy living tips and skills including, chair yoga, meditation, nutritional education, and trainings for using emails and smart phones. Cam-Mi rewards her group members with completion certificates, prizes, and gift certificates for shopping. The group has taken a particular liking to the meditation classes that they have been attending at a local Thai temple, and would like to continue their meditation journeys at different temples in LA and Canada. Since CERI does not have the funding to make the events in LA and Canada possible, the group is planning to fundraise in order to make this dream come true.

Cam-Mi’s greatest goal at CERI is to make a meaningful difference and to set a good example for generations to come. In response to Cam-Mi’s dedication and compassion, the group has shown their gratitude through cooperation and extra support. This support inspires Cam-Mi, and serves as a reminder of the fulfilling nature of this work. While CERI hopes for more funding to serve the Southeast Asian communities, this program would not be possible without a contract with Alameda County funded by prop 63 MHSA funding. CERI is inspired by a team of staff filled with individuals who, like Cam-Mi, show their dedication and big hearts by providing everything in their power to our community members.

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