Vietnamese Minnesotans Association

The Vietnamese Minnesotans Association in Saint Paul, Minnesota, has focused on helping Vietnamese Americans and other community members since it started in 1994, offering programs and services especially for seniors and their families, and you know, what's unique is how they've always respected the traditions and needs of elders, speaking with people in their own language and making sure everyone feels at home, which sometimes is hard for folks far from where they grew up. The community provides assisted living and memory care, with 24-hour supervision and help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, medication management, transfers, and even mental wellness, and they're careful to include meals that fit special diets, like for diabetes or allergies, and meals happen all day, which gives people some choice over when and what they eat. The facility offers in-home care, translation, and notary services for Vietnamese Americans, and they help folks keep their independence with things like blood pressure checks, transportation to medical appointments, help with paperwork, and translation, which is something that can make things easier when English isn't a first language. The center has 54 staff members and 3 volunteers, and is led by Executive Director Stephanie Waite Tranberg, and staff members are bilingual and sensitive to cultural backgrounds, making the atmosphere feel familiar, and the board is set up with most members being independent, which helps with oversight. Amenities include furnished rooms, cable or satellite TV, Wi-Fi, a dining room, kitchenette, gardens, walking paths, a movie night area, an arts room, a beauty salon, a barber shop, and space for social activities, plus community-sponsored events and programs that encourage residents to stay active and social. Housekeeping, laundry, dry cleaning, meal preparation, move-in coordination, and safety systems like an emergency call button are provided, and folks can get respite care, which gives families a break if they're helping to care for someone at home. All financial filings and audit reports are available for review, and the facility has had nonprofit tax-exempt status since 1994 under section 501(c)(3), spending about $1,418,610 on expenses and earning about $1,474,429 in 2022, with a 77% rating from Charity Navigator for accountability and financial performance. Services are by appointment, pricing starts at $4,596 per month, and the website lists more details about programs and organization information, all from their location at 1030 University Avenue in St. Paul, so people who need support can find accurate information for their family members and see if the community is the right fit for their needs.