NYer of the Week

NYer of the Week

Vietnamese Immigrant Gets College Students To Give Back

May 16, 2008


The latest New Yorker of the Week came to the United States in search of a better life. Now working at St. Johns University, he is motivating his colleagues and students to help better the lives of others. NY1's Michael Scotto filed the following report. Father Tri Minh Duong has devoted his life to serving others. A priest at St. Johns University, for the past three years he's organized volunteer projects for more than 1,500 students and staff. "He's got this incredible gift of being able to motivate people to volunteer," said Bread & Life Executive Director Tony Butler. "Every time he comes, he comes with a crew of students from the university, which we couldn't survive without." An immigrant from Vietnam, Duong came to the United States with his family in the early 1990s at age 20. He says he was surprised to find so many New Yorkers in need. "In Vietnam, the only thing we know about the United States was through the movie. So, the idea you have about the United States, is this rich country, where everybody has money and whatever you want is right there for you," he said. "But when I came to the United States, the reality is different." Life in Vietnam had been a daily struggle for Duong and his family. His mother cared for him and his nine siblings while his father was imprisoned for serving in the South Vietnamese Army. Upon arriving in the U.S., he entered the seminary and pledged his life to helping others. "I think Father Tri is a wonderful example to us of how somebody coming new to this country is such a wonderful addition and has so much to offer," said Sister Madeline Kavanagh, outreach coordinator of Bread & Life. Duong encourages the St. Johns community to offer their support. "It's very gratifying to know you can help someone else who needs a little help," said volunteer George Richardson. Gladys Castro relies on Bread & Life, a soup kitchen run by St. John's, which also provides medical and social services. Castro is served food every week by Duong and the volunteers. "People in New York City and all over, they could see you bleed and they don't approach you," she said. "But if you have a humble heart you will approach and that's what this father has." Each week Duong organizes free transportation for the volunteers, and spends time at more than ten organizations. "He embodies what New Yorkers do," said Butler. "Frequently most of us come from some place else, if another place in the country or another country, come without a lot of things and don't just take from the city but transform the city and make it different and make it better." And so for bringing the St. John's community to people in need and helping to transform their lives, Father Tri Minh Duong is our New Yorker of the Week. - Michael Scotto If you'd like to nominate someone to be NY1's New Yorker of the Week, send an email describing their qualifications to: nyer@ny1.com or mail a letter to:

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source : http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?&aid=81685&search_result=1&stid=34