Boat People SOS: Gulf Coast consists of Biloxi, MS and Bayou La Batre, AL offices
Opened in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2006, BPSOS Gulf Coast has been providing direct services to the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian American population in Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties in Mississippi and Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama. We have worked to build a web of services in response to the urgent and emerging needs of individuals, families, and communities.
To address longstanding cultural and linguistic barriers faced by community members, we implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services to ensure that none of our community members regardless of their background, primary language, or any other characteristics, are left out of recovery efforts and that everyone takes part in strengthening the fabric of our community.
Programs
We offer the below programs and services to support our community members with their needs and empower them in their everyday life.
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The Health Awareness & Promotion Program (HAPP)
The Health Awareness and Promotion Program (HAPP) employs Community Health Workers (CHW) to assist Vietnamese Americans in overcoming barriers to healthcare access and eliminate health disparities through appropriate chronic disease management, preventative care, and addressing vaccine access and inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disaster Case Management Program
Our Disaster Case Management Program is designed to respond to the immediate needs of the community in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters. We have assisted over 2,000 community members to access needed services and resources following Hurricane Katrina and in the aftermath of the BP Oil Spill.
Vote Your Voice Initiative
Vote Your Voice Initiative aims to engage Asian American voters of Mississippi and Alabama to encourage electoral participation. The initiative focuses on the community members less likely to participate or facing barriers to their participation. Targeted populations include infrequent voters who are generally not contacted by the major outreach organizations, young voters, and voters who experience COVID-related challenges.
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Affordable Care Act (ACA) Program
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Program assists the Vietnamese community members who have limited English proficiency, limited literacy, or lack of health insurance obtaining affordable health insurance plans via the Federal Marketplace.
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Community Against Domestic Violence (CADV)
Community Against Domestic Violence (CADV) Program aims to end the cycle of violence among Vietnamese families and to empower and equip Vietnamese victims to lead self-sufficient, stable, and independent family lives for themselves and their dependents.
Translation and Interpretation Service
Translation and Interpretation Service provides language access for the Vietnamese community at local healthcare providers, courts, schools, and public benefit entities.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax preparation and electronic filing for individuals and families with annual income of $60,000 or less
Overcoming War and Disaster to Form a Vibrant Community
The Vietnamese community in Mississippi and Alabama consists mainly of refugees who came after the Fall of Saigon. As of 2020, the Vietnamese American population has grown to nearly 30,000 and is concentrated in certain coastal counties. Many were part of the fishing industry in South Vietnam and brought those skills to the Gulf Coast, where they now make significant contributions. Despite facing racism and disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the British Petroleum oil spill, the community thrives today.
Impact
More than 30,000 clients served since 2000 in which:
1500+
community members accessing healthcare services via our HAPP
1,000+
community members assisted to accessed COVID-19 vaccinations
7,000+
received information about COVID-19
3,000+
community members with disaster recovery (home rebuilds/repairs, boat and business repairs) post Hurricane Katrina
850+
fishermen assisted with applications for compensations post BP Oil Spill
475+
community members assisted with voter registrations
2,575+
community members obtain affordable health insurance via Affordable Care Act
96+
96 Vietnamese women by providing cultural and linguistic direct interventions including case management, housing, public benefits, employment and legal services to combat domestic violence crimes
2,000+
individuals and families with tax returns
$5M+
in refunds from individuals and families with tax returns
Events & Updates
Food Giveaway
Date & Time:
Friday, 12 / 13 / 2024: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location:
VAN DUC TEMPLE
179 Oak Street
Biloxi, MS 39530
Christmas Toy's Giveaway
Date & Time: 12 / 20 / 2024 Location: BPSOS-AL 12993 N Wintzell Ave. Bayou La Batre, AL 36509
Branch Supporters
BPSOS Gulf Coast
Funders:
- Mississippi State Department of Health
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation
- Oak Hill Regional Community Development Corporation
- Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
- Asian Pacific Islanders American Health Forum
- Hancock Whitney Bank
- Coastal Family Health Clinics
- East Biloxi Community Collaborative
- Environmental Protection Agency Gulf States
- Feeding the Gulf Coast
- Fresenius Kidney Care Centers
- Goodwill Easter Seal
- Gulf Coast Center for Non-Violence
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation
- Gulf South for New Green Deal
- United Way of South Mississippi
Partners:
- Accordia Health Clinic
- AL Center for Fair Housing
- Alabama Power
- American Heart Association- MS
- Area Agency on Aging- MS
- Back Bay Mission
- Biloxi NAACP
- Gulf States Health Policy Center
- Lifeline Counseling
- Magnolia Medical Foundation
- Mississippi Center for Justice
- Mississippi Power
- Mississippi State University Extension Office
- Mississippi INBRE
- Mitchell Cancer Institute
- Mobile Community Action
- Mostellar Medical Center
- MS Rising Coalition
- National Center for Appropriate Technology
- National Community Health Worker Association
- Partnership Healthy Mississippi
- Providence Hospital Outreach Program
- Sea Grant Consortium MS-AL
- Singing River Health Systems
- Southern MS Planning and Development District
- Southern Poverty Law Center
- Steps Coalition
- Tulane University School of Tropical Medicine
- United Way of Southwest Alabama
- University of Mississippi Medical Center
- University of Southern Mississippi
Staff
BPSOS-Biloxi
Jane Nguyen
Branch Manager
Kiet Nguyen
Program Coordinator
Loan Bui
Program Coordinator
Lien Nguyen
Program Coordinator
Linh (Suez) Tran
Community Health Worker (CHW)
BPSOS-Bayou La Batre
Tuan Do (Dave)
Program Coordinator
Kim Lien Tran
Community Health Worker
Lisa White
Program Coordinator
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