Community Service
Boat People SOS - Houston
Serves Vietnamese and other refugee communities with immigration help, job training, language classes, and social services.
Details
EligibilityVietnamese and other Southeast Asian communities
FeesFree or low-cost
LanguagesVietnamese, English
HoursMon-Fri 9am-5pm
“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. ”
— Socrates.Related
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The Change Lab 2025 Annual Report: Building Civic Infrastructure Through Community Connection
“ THE CHANGE LAB A community of practice 2025 ANNUAL REPORT THE CHANGE LABthechangelab.net · A fiscally sponsored project of Impact Hub Houston · Page 1 of 2 We connect by serving and learning toget...”
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Social Connection in America: 2025 Survey Report on Community Bonds and Well-Being
“ 2025 Survey Report About This Project This survey will catalyze a broad and lasting impact—transforming how we define, prioritize, and support social connection in America. This survey is led by D...”
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From the Library
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California Wins Tax Credits for All Workers, Including ImmigrantsThe Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) in California achieved a major victory when Governor Newsom signed a law extending the California Earned Income Tax Credit to ALL workers, including undocumented immigrants. This means 2 million undocumented workers who were left out of federal COVID-19 relief can now get tax credits year after year. California IAF organized for months, bringing together over 1,200 faith and community leaders on Zoom calls with bishops and state legislators. They argued that immigrant workers are essential - they pay billions in taxes, contribute $180 billion to California's economy, and took on dangerous jobs during the pandemic to keep everyone fed and safe. Religious leaders like Fr. Arturo Corral said this was about justice, not charity, since these workers have been 'ruthlessly left out' of federal help despite their vital contributions. The campaign included letter-writing to the governor and legislative leaders during budget negotiations. This victory shows how community organizing can win real policy changes that help working families.
Houston Study Shows 750,000 Residents Affected by Immigration RaidsA major research study by Rice University found that more than 750,000 people in the Houston area personally know someone who was detained or deported during 2025 immigration enforcement. The Kinder Institute surveyed over 9,000 adults in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. One in seven residents had a personal connection to someone affected, with higher rates in Hispanic communities (25%), immigrants (21%), and low-income families (24%). The study also found changing opinions: support for mass deportation dropped from 57% to 49% even among conservative residents, while support for citizenship pathways rose from 70% to 75%. Most people (82%) now say the immigration system isn't working well. The researchers noted this could impact Houston's economy, schools, and community planning. This is the first study to track how local families and neighborhoods experience immigration enforcement policies firsthand.
Immigration Reform: Why America Needs to Update Its Immigration LawsThe American Immigration Council explains why America needs comprehensive immigration reform. Our immigration laws haven't been updated since 1990 - before the internet existed. The organization provides research and advocates for fair immigration policies that give people due process and meaningful hearings. They work on issues like helping undocumented immigrants get legal status and improving border security. The site includes recent reports showing how immigrants contribute to local economies, like in San Antonio where they play key roles as taxpayers, consumers, and entrepreneurs. They also track current immigration enforcement actions and policies, including travel bans and workplace raids. The Council publishes data showing that nearly half of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children, generating over $8 trillion in revenue. They offer toolkits for communities to support immigrants and advocate for policy changes. The organization fights in court to protect immigrant rights and works to move bipartisan solutions forward in Congress.
Border Enforcement Info from Immigration CouncilThe American Immigration Council provides research and updates on US border enforcement policies. Their website covers how immigration detention has grown larger and harsher under recent policies, with most detained people having no criminal record. They track legal cases challenging asylum restrictions at border crossings, where officials have blocked people from seeking safety. The council documents family separation policies and their chaotic implementation. They analyze how increased enforcement budgets - growing over 300% - affect communities far from the border, like Charlotte and Atlanta. The organization advocates for balancing border security with protecting human rights of asylum seekers. They provide legal guides for detention cases and track how policy changes impact democracy. Through reports, court cases, and public education, they work toward immigration solutions that uphold both security and compassion. The content helps people understand complex border issues through research, legal analysis, and policy recommendations.
Similar Services (4)
All servicesCatholic Charities - Refugee ServicesCatholic Charities helps people who are new to America get settled in Houston. They teach English classes, help with legal papers, and connect people to jobs so they can build a good life here.Texas RioGrande Legal Aid - HoustonFree immigration legal services, family law help, and public benefits advocacy for low-income residents.Catholic Charities - Immigration Legal ServicesAffordable immigration legal help including citizenship applications, family petitions, DACA renewals, and asylum cases.YMCA International Services - Immigration LegalProvides affordable immigration legal services including help with citizenship applications, green cards, asylum, and DACA renewals.
The Journey
22 connected resources across 5 levelsTrail depth
Level 1
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Level 2
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