I grew up learning how to live with less: less money, less certainty, and less time to focus on school.

When my family moved to the United States, Texas, Pflugerville became our home. We shared a small apartment—my Vietnamese single mother, my grandparents, my siblings, and me—along with an unspoken understanding that we couldn’t afford to fall behind.

At school, I watched kids like me do their best while quietly trying to hide worn-down clothes, missing supplies, and the fear of being seen as different, not because we lacked motivation, but because we lacked the support we needed.

At schools like Dobie and Burnet Middle School, and Pflugerville and Rodriguez Elementary, more than 95% of students come from low-income families. Many are children of color and are trying to learn while juggling household responsibilities, often feeling embarrassed that they don’t have what others do. I knew those kids because I was one of them.

That’s where All The Same Organization began—not as a nonprofit, but as a feeling I couldn’t ignore.

Alongside my co-founder, Anika Luangaphay, I created All The Same Organization to remind underserved children that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Our work is rooted in a simple belief: no matter your background, culture, or financial situation, you deserve the resources to thrive.

One of our core initiatives is the Giving Tree Program. The tree’s leaves symbolize immediate action, providing hygiene kits, food and snack packs, winter essentials, back-to-school supplies, and emergency relief. Its roots represent long-term change through youth leadership, community partnerships, educational support, and advocacy. Together, they illustrate what real support looks like: showing up in the moment while building something sustainable for the future.

But what makes our work most meaningful isn’t just the numbers—it’s the connection. Thousands of volunteers, many of them teenagers, create handwritten cards, artwork, and crocheted items to include in every package. These small, handmade gestures tell a child, “You matter. Someone thought about you.”

Since April 2025, we’ve supported over 5,068 individuals, donated 30,062 essential supplies, and directly helped 955 underserved families of color. We’ve also built over 100 youth-led branches, proving that young people are not just capable of change—we are leading it.

All The Same Organization exists because I never want another child to feel invisible the way so many of us once did. Kindness doesn’t erase hardship, but it can soften it. And sometimes, a single act of care is enough to remind someone that they’re not alone.