What does your culture mean to you? What do you hope the next generation carries forward? And how do we begin to break the silence around things that often feel taboo to talk about, like mental health?
In a recent video series, donors and supporters of the Lotus Fund at San Diego Foundation (SDF) answered these questions with honesty, hope and deep cultural pride.
Their reflections spotlight more than generosity. They reflect a powerful truth: giving, when rooted in identity and experience, can create space for healing, celebration, and future-building.
From honoring elders to reimagining mental health care, each story offers a glimpse into the many reasons why they give, and the impact that giving makes on the community in San Diego County.
Traditions That Teach and Transform
As a second-generation Taiwanese American, Jennifer Huang holds her heritage close to heart. For her, intergenerational connection is a bridge between past and future, one story at a time.
“When I went back to Taiwan to visit my grandparents when I was younger, they would share family stories with me,” she said. “Those stories have helped me develop my own identity, especially now I’m here in the United States. Those kinds of family stories are helpful for the future generations as they grow their roots here.”
For Tri Luu cultural tradition also plays a key role in identity and wellbeing. As a child, he only attended Vietnamese Saturday school for the lion dance practice afterward. But over time, the tradition took on a deeper meaning.
“Lion dance brought us together in a way that was fun and culturally relevant,” he said. “It was ours. It was unique to us. It was something that spoke to our cultural history, and it was fun.”
Now a board director for Legendary Lion Dance Association in San Diego, Tri passes on that same sense of joy and connection to students of all backgrounds.
Together, Jennifer and Tri show how honoring culture can be grounding, generational and a powerful reason to give back.
Empowering Future Generations
For many donors, giving to Lotus Fund is an investment in the future.
“My hope for the next generation of youth is that they can walk into a room full of decision makers and feel like they belong there,” said Louie Nguyen, Executive Director of SAY San Diego. “Each of our successes adds to the collective mosaic. When we support each other, we all win.”
Lauren Garces, co-chair of the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, couldn’t agree more.
“(I want) them to feel so empowered, so seen, so represented by the foundation that so many of our generations have laid out for them,” she said.
That vision also includes breaking long-held stigmas, especially around mental health.
“Mental health has been a taboo in the Asian community for a really long time,” said Dennis Doan, Founder of the Doan Foundation. “Fortunately, I’ve seen a slight shift with the younger generation trying to get these answers and these stories out of those people from the older generation and unknowingly, it has helped them a lot and it’s helped the family dynamic.”
About Lotus Fund
Lotus Fund at SDF supports initiatives that celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) heritage and community success. It raises funds from the community and grants to nonprofits that support San Diegans furthest from opportunity.
“We need a seat at the table,” said Hahn Lin, a Lotus Fund supporter. “Too often, we’re quietly grinding away. Quietly succeeding. We need to be seen.”
With community support, Lotus Fund is helping make that vision a reality. Learn how you can get involved with Lotus Fund.
