Resilient Youth Rising (RYR) is a culturally rooted mental health and substance abuse prevention program that empowers Vietnamese and BIPOC youth in New Orleans. Through workshops, leadership training, and community projects, RYR creates a safe space for youth to discuss mental health, explore substance-free coping strategies, and grow into advocates for change. The program celebrates cultural identity and bridges generational gaps through art, intergenerational dialogue, and healing-based events.

Supported by a multi-sector coalition and part of the national Drug-Free Communities (DFC) initiative, RYR partners with schools to engage youth directly. By equipping young people with tools, resources, and a voice, RYR is building a youth-led movement to reduce stigma, promote resilience, and strengthen community and family support across New Orleans.

To learn more, visit Resilient Youth Rising

Sông CDC’s Disaster Ready Initiative equips residents with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to prepare for and recover from disasters. Through hands-on workshops, resource fairs, and multilingual outreach, the program helps families plan for emergencies like hurricanes, floods, and public health crises. From generator safety to evacuation routes, each event is designed to meet the unique needs of the local community.

In collaboration with trusted partners and emergency responders, Sông CDC also provides critical post-disaster support, including food and supply distributions, recovery resources, and health-focused initiatives. During COVID-19, the initiative played a vital role in vaccine access and public health outreach—demonstrating Sông CDC’s commitment to long-term community resilience and care.

Sông CDC is working to develop affordable senior housing in New Orleans East that reflects the needs and vision of the community. In partnership with Enterprise and other stakeholders, we are actively seeking a co-developer and working to build broader community support around this critical project.

Our current focus is on securing land for development—one of the most significant barriers to moving forward. At the same time, we are laying the groundwork by cultivating new partnerships and shaping an initial community vision plan to ensure that future housing meets the cultural, linguistic, and accessibility needs of our elders.