Vietnamese American Service Center Groundbreaking Ceremony
By Art Builds Community
November 23rd 2019 marks the day of breaking ground for the Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC), a facility dedicated to supporting the Vietnamese community with health services that is specific to the culture. The building is set to be completed in 2021 on the corner of Senter Road and Mclaughlin Road in East Side San José.
Here are some photos, captured by Quynh-Mai Nguyen, of the groundbreaking ceremony.
Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association drumming in celebration to the ceremony.
The community enjoying the performance of the Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association
From left to right, District 3 Supervisor Dave Cortese, District 2 Supervisor Cindy Chavez, and County Executive Officer Dr. Jeffrey Smith, M.D., J.D. celebrating the performance of lion dancers.
Attendees stand at a safe distance to watch the lighting of firecrackers, a cultural tradition to scare away evil spirits and to welcome in an abundance of good luck.
The aftermath is a ground covered in scraps of paper of different shads of red symbolizing wealth.
County and City officials break ground in celebration of the Vietnamese American Service Center.
Community members wait patiently to wear a hard hat and grab a shovel to break ground.
Lunch sponsored by the County is catered for a little over 400 attendees.
Youth singers perform for guests as they hang out to eat and take photos.