Serving the Houston Community since 1999

who we are

Group of diverse people at a celebration event with balloon decorations in red, white, blue, gold, and star-shaped balloons in the background.

At BPSOS-Houston, we believe in the power of community, resilience, and hope. As a non-profit social and legal services provider, our mission is to empower, organize, and equip local communities in their pursuit of liberty and dignity.

We provide education, information, and direct assistance to underserved and surrounding communities, helping them navigate complex health and legal challenges. This ranges from helping them understand their rights to accessing vital healthcare, we make sure no one faces these struggles alone.

But our work doesn’t stop at the services. At the end of the day, it’s about building trust, fostering hope, and creating a future where everyone can thrive. We’re here to walk alongside our community every step of the way, whether that means guiding families through the legal system, connecting them to healthcare, or simply offering support.

Local communities are the heart of our city, bringing strength, diversity, and resilience to Houston. By providing the tools, knowledge, and support they need, we help surrounding communities flourish.

Our History

A boat filled with numerous people, many wearing traditional conical hats, navigating through the ocean with blue water surrounding it.

Founded in 1980 by Vietnamese American academicians and boat people in a Thai refugee camp, BPSOS began as a lifeline for those fleeing persecution. We rescued over 3,300 boat people at sea and fought to protect their rights in refugee camps during a time of crisis.

As conditions worsened in the late 1980s, with boat people being pushed back to sea or confined in detention centers, we adapted to meet new challenges. Over time, we shifted our focus to empowering Vietnamese and immigrant communities in the U.S., growing from a one-staff organization to a network of branches across 6 U.S. cities, while maintaining operations in Thailand, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Houston is one of its proud branches.

Today, BPSOS continues to honor its roots by addressing the unmet needs of immigrants and refugees. Through legal, social, and educational services, we empower individuals and families to build lives of dignity, liberty, and hope.

Meet the Team

People sitting at a table working on laptops, with a smartphone and a tablet visible on the table.

Leadership & More

Jannette Diep - Executive Director

Trish Nguyen - Sr. Branch Manager

Lam Ngo - Receptionist

Citizenship

Van Trinh - Citizenship Coordinator

Xochilt Sequeira - Citizenship/Hotline Coordinator

Iren Karsai - ESL Citizenship Coordinator

Thy Nguyen - Civic Engagement Coordinator

A bronze statue of Lady Justice holding a set of scales in her left hand and a sword in her right hand, with a blindfold over her eyes.

An American flag waving on a flagpole against a partly cloudy sky.

A woman holding a pink heart-shaped toy with a stethoscope around it, smiling. She is wearing a dark blue jacket and has nails painted pink.

Legal

Theresa Thomas - Attorney, Legal Service Manager

Jingtian Chen - Staff Attorney

Selma Lara - TXILC Attorney Fellow

Ngoc Huynh - Paralegal

Michelle Vo - Domestic Violence Case Manager

Hien Nguyen - Paralegal

Zoey Wan - TXILC Legal Access Fellow

Quoc Hoang - Paralegal

Health

Kayleen Lam - HAPP Program Coordinator

Hoang Hien Nguyen - HAPP Program Coordinator

Nancy Le - HAPP Program Coordinator

Duyen Nguyen - HAPP Program Coordinator

Minh Dao - Communications Coordinator

Quan Tran - Senior Coordinator/Digital Instructor

Our Board of Directors

A diverse group of people sitting around a conference table during a meeting, with a woman speaking at the head of the table, laptops open, in a modern office setting.

Julie Lee - Board Chair | Vinh N. Ho, Esq. - Secretary

Jessica E. Armstrong, Esq. - Board Member | Christina Le, Esq. - Board Member

Tri T. Vu, MD - Board Member | Kim Mai, Esq. - Board Member | Linda Sheen - Board Member