Unhoused and Housing unstable Vietnamese seniors gather on the streets in Little Saigon, communing with each other and preferring that "freedom" over shelters. Severe rent burdens, an aging population, and low labor force participation are factors that have increased homelessness risk in this population.
Mental health
As UCSF faces a hiring freeze, Spanish-language medical interpreters say severe short-staffing is jeopardizing patient care for immigrant families.
In Santa Clara county, many face a silent struggle: staying healthy, without shelter, and with limited resources. Rosa Maria lives in a makeshift tent with her six dogs and relies on mobile clinics to get regular checkups.
Evan as a California federal judge blocks the Trump Administration's attempt to end Haitian Temporary Protected Status six months early, the Haitian community struggles to make sense of what will happen come February, when they will be considered eligible for deportation overnight.
Two recent high school grads share their stressful high school experiences.
Embracing a queer identity while being part of the Vietnamese diaspora presents significant challenges. However, when there is acceptance from family, the road to self-expression and an emotionally healthy life is within reach.
When both her children came out as queer, Janice Lee struggled initially to accept, but it didn’t take her long to come to terms with it. She read a lot and made the effort to learn about sexuality and gender identities. In many Asian households, changes are taking place, as parents challenge long-standing patterns of shame and silence around LGBTQ+ identity.
Mental health programs may soon be out of reach for many undocumented immigrants, as funding cuts threaten access to them.
Although California has banned suspensions for “willful defiance” in grades K-12, both Elk Grove Unified and Sacramento City Unified school districts continued to suspend students for defiance during the 2023-24 school year, according to an OBSERVER analysis. The issue has gained new relevance as federal policies under the Trump administration threaten funding for schools that implement equity-based discipline practices.