December 2021 Newsletter

“You’ve done more than enough for the year…” –Vic

Vic Vong (they/them), is RVC’s newest Capacity Building Lead and new addition to the fam! We are so excited to grow the capacity building team, and really appreciate Vic’s deep commitment to building relationships with Community. Although we have only met in person (and only showing half our faces) once, it is clear that Vic loves to laugh and their energy and joy have the power to illuminate a room! Keep scrolling to learn about what motivates Vic in the work they do, the lunches they are chowing down on, and sage words for the close of the year!

🌱 What drew you to RVC?

There are three main things: number one is I used to read, and still read, RVC’s blog. I remember there used to be funny graphics and inside jokes, and I appreciated the humor but I also honesty. Number two is I appreciated that the organization was honest enough to name what was going on in the sector. And number three is I couldn’t help but to think that there is this organization that is wanting to support the community, and I wanted to be able to center community and do that work too.

Another reason I was drawn to RVC was because I grew up in the Seattle area and there were a lot of community-based organizations that provided very essential services when my family came to the United States. I would like to, in turn, support RVC’s Partner organizations because even though they do work that is super essential it seems like they’re still undersupported [in the sector.]

🌱 What is your favorite part of your job?

I think it’s a corny answer, but I think the relationships are my favorite part. I get to know people, I get to ask questions, I get to learn…

I think through supporting Partners I get to see where people are on their healing journey and that helps me on my own healing journey. Experiencing and processing and strategizing things together; I feel like I transform while working with other people and people are teaching me so much!

🌱 What does being “rooted in community” mean to you?

For me, it’s like if you really understand who’s around you and how you are your lives impact each other, then you have a deeper understanding of who you are. You understand where you came from, but you can also see who else is here and what it took for them to get here and how to build future together. 

Committed to seeing each others past, showing up for each other in the present, and being so connected that you can’t help but dream of a future together…AND knowing that you can actually make it possible! That’s what being rooted means to me.

🌱 What is your vision for the future?

My vision for the future…I think it involves a lot of sleeping, a lot of laughing, people’s love languages getting met, and that people feel alive! I just envision that people have more autonomy, less fear, and a lot more joy.

🌱 What is your favorite lunch?

I have a lot of favorite lunches but one of them is this Vietnamese dish called ‘bo luc lac’. It’s beef cubes over rice with sauteed onions, bell peppers, and maybe a little lime vinaigrette. It’s a solid scrumptious hearty meal and I’ve definitely ordered 3 at a time because I know I’m going to eat them for all 3 meals that day. Phnom Penh Noodle House serves a version that I really enjoy! 

🌱 What is the theme song of your life?

Nujabes is a famous Japanese Dj that passed away, but he had a song called Luv(sic). There are six parts to the song, but I like part four as the theme song to my life. It narrates falling in love throughout the months, but there’s this specific line that goes: couldn’t have picked a better time even if we planned it. I think about my life and I couldn’t have planned the way things fell, but it also felt very divine and life-giving and I think this song really echos that.

🌱 Who inspires you? Why?

I feel like so many people inspire me but the first person that comes to mind is Tanya from ChuMinh Tofu and Vegan Deli really inspires me, for sure. It’s such a great food place but you can also feel the Buddhist centering. Plus they’ve been such a community staple for so long! My parents told me that if it’s too cold to wait at the bus stop [in front of the restaurant], to wait inside Chu Minh Tofu because Tanya is a good person. It’s one of the few food places that is really solid in supporting the community and has been doing so for such a long time.

🌱 What is your favorite local business to support?

Colors Abloom is a flower shop in International District. The shop owner’s nam is Ada. I appreciate that she gives advice for each flower and she customizes the order to people’s cultures and customs. She also loves laughing at random things and I really enjoy that. 

🌱 Any closing remarks?

“You have done more than enough for the year. Please take the time to celebrate yourself. Go to sleep.” –Vic