Her Work From Within

Abstract

This article describes the journey of a young Vietnamese immigrant girl, Sandy Dang, who arrived in the United States with no knowledge of the English language or the U.S. educational system. While her parents worked hard to begin their new life in the United States, Sandy was left on her own to navigate the unknown waters. What she needed was a mentor who could help her with schoolwork and with adjusting to life in this country. Now a grown woman and having witnessed many Vietnamese youths traveling the same and confusing journey, Sandy Dang set up an agency, Asian American Leadership, Empowerment, and Development of Youth and Families (AALEAD), to help such youths and their parents transition to American life. Sandy’s vision and agency have helped many of youths who have gone on to have successful careers and who have come back as volunteers to help continue Sandy’s legacy.