Our Honorees:
GOLDEN LOTUS RESTAURANT:
Golden Lotus Restaurant is a beloved establishment situated in San Francisco’s Little Saigon. Founded in 2013 by Lucia Hau, it is family-owned and has become a cornerstone of the Vietnamese culinary community, dedicated to preserving and sharing Vietnamese culture. During the pandemic, Golden Lotus received business assistance and an SBA Microloan from SEACC. By implementing digitalization and cost-reduction strategies, the restaurant not only survived but thrived, ensuring its continued operation.
Their diverse menu offerings demonstrate how this support helped retain staff and maintain services, aligning with SEACC’s criteria for recognizing effective businesses. Despite the challenges posed by crime and homelessness in the Tenderloin area, Golden Lotus has emerged as a community hub, prioritizing safety and hospitality.
Additionally, the restaurant supports local suppliers and addresses food insecurity, enhancing its social impact. SEACC may have recognized Golden Lotus for turning this support into a model of resilience and success in underserved areas.
XUAN NGUYEN:
I spoke with Ms. Xuân Nguyễn, the former volunteer manager of the food distribution program at SEACC, who worked there for 20 years (from 1999 to 2019). With her trademark big smile, she shared her experiences: “It was extremely rewarding, my dear. When you often receive help and then have the opportunity to return that kindness, it feels like you’re paying off a debt. This job requires a significant commitment—at least 10 hours per week—since I managed a team of 12 volunteer assistants.
During my time with the food distribution program, I also had a full-time job at a hotel. Honestly, I don’t measure the value of my work in terms of time. Instead, I focus on the reactions of the clients who come to receive food. When I see the many happy faces among our clients—ranging from seniors walking with their sticks to young children, some still in their mothers’ arms—I feel overwhelmed by a world of happiness. At that moment, I realize, ‘I am happy too.'”
HENRY REYNOSO:
Henry Reynoso joined the micro-loan committee at SEACC while he worked at a bank in San Francisco in 1995. He was particularly interested in how small business loans were made available to Bay Area businesses, especially in the Asian and immigrant communities. His commitment to SEACC continued even after he retired from commercial banking.
As a dedicated member of the SBA Microloans Committee, he invests his time and expertise to support micro-borrowers in neighborhoods like Little Saigon, which face challenges such as homelessness, crime, and economic disinvestment. San Francisco Little Saigon, once a vibrant cultural hub, has suffered from blight, influencing small businesses. By helping these businesses launch and expand, the committee combats these issues, fostering job creation and community pride. Every business saved is a step toward dignity and safety.
Henry exemplifies civic leadership by turning empathy into action and using financial expertise for social good. His work on the SBA Microloans Committee is essential to rebuilding underserved communities, one micro-borrower at a time.
Sponsors for the Gala:
