Press Advisory: Project MotiVATe to Honor Bao Nguyen for Service to Vietnamese Youth – May 13

Bao Nguyen, Garden Grove Mayor
Bao Nguyen, Garden Grove Mayor
Bao Nguyen, Garden Grove Mayor

Santa Ana, CA – Project MotiVATe, a program dedicated to mentoring at-risk Vietnamese American Teens by developing their academic, cultural and social skills, has chosen to honor Garden Grove Mayor Bao Nguyen at their 20th annual gala. Bao was brought to America as an infant from Vietnam. The local Vietnamese community is expected to make up much of his voting base in his bid for Congress, so this honor comes as a welcome surprise to the Mayor. He offered the following comments

I’m thrilled to receive the Community Leader award. Growing up an immigrant and refugee was not easy, and I could certainly have been described as an “at-risk youth.” But I was lucky to have mentors along the way, who helped me become who I am today. I’ll continue the fight to ensure a bright future for our children, because everybody in this country, no matter where they come from, deserves a chance to succeed.

John Le, Chairman of the Board for Project MotiVATe, offered the following comments in support of Bao:   At Project MotiVATe, we are passionate about giving back to the community. Mayor Bao Nguyen shares this passion with us, having worked as a community organizer in Orange County. He also serves as a role model to our Vietnamese youth, and has dedicated his life to public service. For his contribution to our community, we would like to honor Mayor Bao Nguyen as our community leader.

Details for the 20th Annual Project MotiVATe Gala are as follows:   6PM, Friday May 13th, 2016 Mon Cheri 12821 Harbor Blvd H-1B Garden Grove, CA 92840 http://projectmotivate.org/gala/

Born in a UN refugee camp, Bao was carried to the United States by his parents to escape oppression in Vietnam. He grew up in the 46th district, attended Garden Grove public schools, and graduated from Pacifica High School.

Bao was elected Mayor of Garden Grove in 2014, where he has increased government transparency and fought corruption. Upon his swearing-in, he became the first directly- elected Vietnamese American Democratic Mayor in the United States. He is the city’s first Vietnamese American and first Openly LGBTQ Mayor. Prior to his historic election, he served as member of the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education.

For more information, please visit www.bao2016.com