Dr. Ysiu Hlong Legacy Fund: Honoring 30 years
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Greensboro Refugee Organization Director Retires; Special Campaign Begins
Dr. YSiu Hlong served the Montagnard community for over 30 years
YSiu Hlong, the longtime executive director of the Montagnard Dega Association (MDA), will retire this month after more than three decades of service which MDA will mark with a special fundraising campaign, “The Dr. YSiu Hlong Emergency Fund'' to honor his service, dedication and desire to see the refugee community prosper. While today he is a well-known figure among local and state refugee organizations, he was also among the first two hundred Montagnards from Vietnam’s Central Highlands to arrive in Greensboro’s airport in 1986. The Montagnards, who retain their French name meaning “highlanders'', are indigenous peoples who fought alongside U.S. Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Greensboro, NC and Guilford County represent one of the largest communities of Montagnard refugees outside of Southeast Asia.
“Dr Hlong — we call him ‘Uncle’ — has been a steady presence in our community who has helped so many families facing desperate situations when they come here,” said new executive director Liana Adrong. “Over the years he’s answered so many emergency calls, trips to the ER, car accident sites, and other 2 AM cries for help that we thought the best way to honor his legacy is to recognize his work. That’s why we want to start an emergency fund that would add a crisis intervention person to our staff and provide resources to vulnerable community members, elders, women, and others who don’t qualify for available services and need help right away.”
In Greensboro and Asheboro where he now resides, Dr. Hlong found personal opportunities to grow and succeed. In 2019 he earned his PhD from John Wesley University. But in his youth, he never dreamed life would bring him to the United States. Vietnam was at war and when it ended many were forced to flee. As refugees in America, the first arrivals like Dr. Hlong struggled and worked hard to both adapt and together preserve memories of home and loved ones left behind. Community service for Dr. Hlong came in the form of assisting new arrivals, helping to reunite families, and responding daily to help the vulnerable, sick and needy. These included elders trying to survive without relatives nearby, children who needed to be enrolled in school, and parents who applied for citizenship or their first American jobs. His dedication and commitment to creating a community from many tribes and language groups, preserving their traditions and celebrating achievements, and advocating for stronger ties to their new homeland have been rewarded with a second generation of young adults eager to carry on his mission.
“The Dr. YSiu Hlong Emergency Fund” will officially kickoff with festive ceremonies, a very important announcement and special guest speakers from 2 – 3 PM on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Barber Park, Shelter # 1. Come early to meet and talk and stay after the ceremonies for food and fun. Barber Park is located at 1500 Barber Park Dr, Greensboro, NC 27401. We invite to visit our YouTube channel to hear more from Dr. Hlong by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_nAj0V13jk and to visit our GoFundMe page for any donation https://gofund.me/93dec04f
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Montagnard Dega Association (MDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in 1987 by the first Montagnard elders to arrive in North Carolina. We exist to unite and strengthen the fraternal ties of all persons of Montagnard heritage, to create a positive environment for all to meet, to build safe, healthy communities, to inspire education and to preserve our cultural heritage. Greensboro is home to the largest concentration of Montagnards outside of Southeast Asia and comprises a major portion of the local Asian American population. MDA works in cooperation with mutual assistance organizations, community groups, faith organizations, local, state and national government offices, and refugee resettlement agencies. MDA is a refugee service provider recognized by NC Division of Social Services.
Dr. YSiu Hlong served the Montagnard community for over 30 years
YSiu Hlong, the longtime executive director of the Montagnard Dega Association (MDA), will retire this month after more than three decades of service which MDA will mark with a special fundraising campaign, “The Dr. YSiu Hlong Emergency Fund'' to honor his service, dedication and desire to see the refugee community prosper. While today he is a well-known figure among local and state refugee organizations, he was also among the first two hundred Montagnards from Vietnam’s Central Highlands to arrive in Greensboro’s airport in 1986. The Montagnards, who retain their French name meaning “highlanders'', are indigenous peoples who fought alongside U.S. Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Greensboro, NC and Guilford County represent one of the largest communities of Montagnard refugees outside of Southeast Asia.
“Dr Hlong — we call him ‘Uncle’ — has been a steady presence in our community who has helped so many families facing desperate situations when they come here,” said new executive director Liana Adrong. “Over the years he’s answered so many emergency calls, trips to the ER, car accident sites, and other 2 AM cries for help that we thought the best way to honor his legacy is to recognize his work. That’s why we want to start an emergency fund that would add a crisis intervention person to our staff and provide resources to vulnerable community members, elders, women, and others who don’t qualify for available services and need help right away.”
In Greensboro and Asheboro where he now resides, Dr. Hlong found personal opportunities to grow and succeed. In 2019 he earned his PhD from John Wesley University. But in his youth, he never dreamed life would bring him to the United States. Vietnam was at war and when it ended many were forced to flee. As refugees in America, the first arrivals like Dr. Hlong struggled and worked hard to both adapt and together preserve memories of home and loved ones left behind. Community service for Dr. Hlong came in the form of assisting new arrivals, helping to reunite families, and responding daily to help the vulnerable, sick and needy. These included elders trying to survive without relatives nearby, children who needed to be enrolled in school, and parents who applied for citizenship or their first American jobs. His dedication and commitment to creating a community from many tribes and language groups, preserving their traditions and celebrating achievements, and advocating for stronger ties to their new homeland have been rewarded with a second generation of young adults eager to carry on his mission.
“The Dr. YSiu Hlong Emergency Fund” will officially kickoff with festive ceremonies, a very important announcement and special guest speakers from 2 – 3 PM on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Barber Park, Shelter # 1. Come early to meet and talk and stay after the ceremonies for food and fun. Barber Park is located at 1500 Barber Park Dr, Greensboro, NC 27401. We invite to visit our YouTube channel to hear more from Dr. Hlong by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_nAj0V13jk and to visit our GoFundMe page for any donation https://gofund.me/93dec04f
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Montagnard Dega Association (MDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in 1987 by the first Montagnard elders to arrive in North Carolina. We exist to unite and strengthen the fraternal ties of all persons of Montagnard heritage, to create a positive environment for all to meet, to build safe, healthy communities, to inspire education and to preserve our cultural heritage. Greensboro is home to the largest concentration of Montagnards outside of Southeast Asia and comprises a major portion of the local Asian American population. MDA works in cooperation with mutual assistance organizations, community groups, faith organizations, local, state and national government offices, and refugee resettlement agencies. MDA is a refugee service provider recognized by NC Division of Social Services.
Fundraising team: MDA/MAO staff and friends (3)
Liana Adrong-Mlo
Organizer
Greensboro, NC
H'Thu Nie
Team member
Stephanie Cheston
Team member
