Lao Youth Forum: December 19th!

Come and join us for an evening of community interaction. Increase your awareness about the dangers of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. Meet with others in the Lao community. Food and refreshments will be provided! Questions or concern please call Phouninh or Pany at 612-374-4967.

Learning about community organizing from California

On November 20th, the Lao Assistance Center visited the offices of the Lao Organizing Project to learn more about their approaches and techniques to community organizing.

The Laotian community in Contra Costa County, CA lives in one of the most toxic regions in the nation. Surrounded by more then 350 industrial sites and toxic hazards, their home, school, and work environments are exposed to dangerous levels of lead, pesticides, and other chemicals on a daily basis.As refugees who entered the U.S. in the 1970's, the Laotian community is still a relatively new population with little voice about the policies affecting their lives. LOP was started in 1995 to bring together the diverse Laotian ethnic and tribal groups in Contra Costa County to respond to the needs of the community, work toward change, and provide a vehicle to build the community they envision. LOP has a membership base of 200 families and over 20 leaders.

Enter The Green Dragon with APEN in CA

On Thursday, November 19th, Lao Assistance Center staff members traveled to California to celebrate the 15 year anniversary of a leading California Asian American community organizing network, APEN. The theme of the evening was "  Enter the GREEN Dragon – APIs Winning Environmental Justice in California.”



Over 400 people from across California came to participate and to recognize the accomplishments of the low-income communities they organized.  A fun filled evening was held with their many supporters. They addressed the emerging importance of the Asian and Pacific Islander community to issues critical in CA and the US, such as climate change, as well as updating everyone about their current work.

Lao and the Environment in California

The Lao Assistance Center staff is visiting Oakland, California from November 19th-21 to visit with the wonderful folks at APEN, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, who are celebrating their 15th year anniversary.


In particular,  the Lao Assistance Centerwill be visiting the members of the acclaimed Lao Organizing Project:

The Laotian community in Contra Costa County, CA lives in one of the most toxic regions in the nation. Surrounded by more then 350 industrial sites and toxic hazards, their home, school, and work environments are exposed to dangerous levels of lead, pesticides, and other chemicals on a daily basis.


As refugees who entered the U.S. in the 1970's, the Laotian community is still a relatively new population with little voice about the policies affecting their lives. LOP was started in 1995 to bring together the diverse Laotian ethnic and tribal groups in Contra Costa County to respond to the needs of the community, work toward change, and provide a vehicle to build the community they envision. LOP has a membership base of 200 families and over 20 leaders.

"Enter the GREEN Dragon-APIs Winning Environmental Justice In California" 
“Enter the GREEN Dragon – APIs Winning Environmental Justice in California” is going to be a milestone 15th anniversary celebration for APEN and the low-income communities they organize, and a fun filled evening with their many supporters. They will be addressing the emerging importance of the Asian and Pacific Islander community to issues critical in CA and the US, such as climate change, as well as updating everyone about their current work.Oakland Rotunda: Thursday, November 19th 6pm -9pm

North Minneapolis organizations learn about Laos and the Hmong

The Lao Assistance Center met Friday, November 13th in the Harrison Neighborhood with staff from the Harrison Neighborhood Association, Redeemer Lutheran Church, SEACC and other organizations serving North Minneapolis.

The event was organized as a holiday potluck, with cultural foods available for participants reflecting the diverse culinary traditions of the many organizations represented. Egg rolls, spring rolls, lao beef jerky, purple rice, sticky rice, fried chicken, papaya salad and pies were some of the many examples on hand.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss culture, race and community perspectives and to help expand one another's work in the coming years ahead. Over 30 people came representing diverse ways of life and interests in social change, including a visiting intern from Norway.

Sunny Chantanouvong, the Lao Assistance Center director gave a spirited presentation on Lao culture and the other members of the Lao Assistance staff gave their stories about how they became involved with the organization.

Doua Lee, executive director for the Southeast Asian Community Council spoke about the history of the Hmong and differences and similarities between other cultures around the world.

The Harrison Neighborhood Association has played a positive role in fostering community dialogues with the Lao Assistance Center. Everyone was pleased to see so many positive and progressive talents and skills being brought together to build a better community.

Habitat for Humanity conducting outreach to Lao

Staff members of the Lao Assistance Center met with Chanida Phaengdara from Habitat for Humanity on Friday, November 13th to discuss current issues interesting the Lao community, including housing, affordable living, the economy and community organizing.

Catzie Vilayphonh visits Lao Assistance Center, St. Cloud State University

Saint Cloud State University is hosting Social Justice Week and Lao American Catzie Vilayphonh of the spoken word duo Yellow Rage came to visit the Twin Cities on November 15-16th.

Using the arts, her mission was to talk with community members about the roles and history of Asian Americans and how to address issues of racism, sexism, discrimination and community injustice. Vilayphonh is a Pennsylvania-based artist who has performed nationally.

Vilayphonh had a chance to see the Hmong and Lao businesses along University Avenue in Saint Paul and met with Lao American writer Saymoukda Vongsay. She met with Asian American student leaders and addressed the potential of a Lao Writer's Summit in August, 2010.

At a very young age, Catzie chose to break the mold by refusing to conform to the stereotypes about Asians. Her popularity as a spoken word performer in Yellow Rage exploded after an appearance on Russell Simmon's Def Poetry Slam.

Today, she raises awareness issues confronting Asians by performing her spoken word poetry with humor and innovation. She has been the Fashion Director for two.one.five magazine where she also does her weekly column Catz Out The Bag with everyone from designers to directors and artists to actors. She will be returning to the Twin Cities to visit in January, 2010.

NGEC Fellows explore community voice, risk

The leadership teams of the 6 Organization Fellows of the National Gender Equity Campaign gathered on November 14th at the Neighborhood House.

The objective was to train on organization alignment within social justice work. Peggy Saika, the executive director from Asian Pacific Islanders In Philanthropy came and gave great support to the organizations efforts.

One of the pivotal training exercises of the day asked the group to understand the relationship between visionaries, communicators and implementers and to discuss effective approaches to helping people build a shared model of a community.

The groups worked together to map out plans and opportunities for 2010 to strengthen the strategic work of the organizations individually and as a cohort.

Bryan Thao Worra, a staff member of the Lao Assistance Center suggested to Mu Performing Arts that effort be made to designate the summer of 2010 a summer for Asian American Arts, citing the numerous arts and cultural festivals the Minnesota community is organizing next year including the CHAT Hmong Arts Festival, the Dragon Festival and the Lao Writers' Summit.

Chongchith Saengsudham will be taking the lead organizing with CAPI on a new coalition of refugee and immigrant women to strengthen their voices in the community in the future.

Executive director Sunny Chantanouvong offered many of his insights and perspectives in guiding the Lao Assistance Center through 2009 on issues of social justice and how there have been efforts to train and familiarize all of the different stakeholders with the issues and opportunities.

During this session, Sunny offered his direct peer advice to the staff of the Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women as both organizations were asked how they deal with risk and the potential of conflicting with perceived 'traditional' values while building community.

Kevin Xiong from Shades of Yellow was continuing work to build the organization to meet the needs of GLBT Hmong, and shared some of his perspective from a recent trip to Thailand and Laos, and also a meeting with Dr. Vinya Sysamouth from the Center for Lao Studies.

This was a productive meeting with many positive reports from the other fellows and intensive peer exchange. Culture shift, risk taking and responsibility were frequently mentioned and discussed.

The participants discussed the relationship of boards, community members, staff, executive directors, funders and partner organizations in generating social schange.

LAC Attends National Children's Health Insurance Summit

LAC staff Chongchith Saengsudham returned this week from the National Children's Health Insurance Summit in Chicago where she and other members of the Minnesota SEACHIP program received training.

From 2009 to 2011, the Lao Assistance Center will be part of a coalition to implement the Southeast Asian Children’s Health Insurance Program (SEACHIP), to enroll low-income, uninsured Southeast Asian children in Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare insurance plans.
The United Cambodian Association of Minnesota, Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women in Minnesota, and Vietnamese Social Services will partner together on this initiative with the Lao Assistance Center.

If you are interested in getting health insurance for your children, contact Chongchith Saengsudham at chongchith@laocenter.org or call (612) 375-4967.

Lao Attend Harrison Candidate Forum

Lao American community members  from Minneapolis attended a candidate forum in the Harrison Neighborhood in October, constituting nearly 45% of the audience with a diverse representation of ages from both men and women, as well as renters and homeowners.


The community was very interested in the process as they heard debates from candidates for the city council as well as for mayor.

Lao Assistance Center trains on Social Justice, Social Change

Lao Assistance staff and board members trained with Leadership Paradigms on October 31st to discuss social justice, social change and new directions for the organization in Hinckley, Minnesota.


A new mission statement has been approved, along with an ambitious four-point plan to improve services and community development directions for our community in the years ahead! Stay tuned!

FCC researchers informed about Lao community, media equity

On Tuesday, November 10th, the Lao Assistance Center met with the Main Street Project who were hosting two researchers from the Federal Communications Commission.

The researchers were interested in hearing us talk about local issues and interests regarding the challenges and opportunities our respective communities face regarding the internet.

They're visiting cities across the U.S. and while in Minnesota they were meeting with organizations from communities of color and immigrants to get a better sense of what the everyday issues really are.

Preparing to fight Foreclosure among the Lao and Asian Americans

On November 4th, Lao Assistance Center executive director Sunny Chantanouvong and Pany Siharath met Jane Duong, the new program manager at the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development.

They briefed her on issues and concerns facing Lao Americans on housing in Minnesota.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Leadership Summit A Success

The Lao Assistance Center hosted the Asian American & Pacific Islander Initiative Leadership Summit 2009:
Are We Relevant? Making a Case for Our Community with the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans on Saturday, October 23rd at the Lao Assistance Center and the Harrison Neighborhood Association. With over 50 participants throughout the day, it was a great opportunity for the community to connect and learn how to be effective leaders in the community and to make their cases well. Thanks to everyone who came to participate!

40 Civil Rights and Social Justice Groups Support Net Neutrality

A letter from over 40 groups that represent people of color and low income individuals showing support for net neutrality was recently sent to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, in advance of an upcoming vote to issue proposed net neutrality rules.  The letter is available at http://www.media-democracy.net/node/571 

Lao American rapper Lila T. supports UXO Removal 10/24

Minnesota-based Lao American rapper Lila T. is helping collect signatures for A Peaceful Legacy petition at the "Turn Up The Volume on PEACE," concert that Vigilant Promotions is presenting at the EPIC Live Concert Venue on Saturday, October 24th in Minneapolis, MN. 


This event is filled with Freestyle battles and Bad Boy & Bad Girl battles. You can show support for Lila T. as she performs at this Violence Awareness concert and sign A Peaceful Legacy petition while Lila T. signs her autograph for you. Bring your friends and brush up on your battle skills. You would want to be prepared if and when inspiration strikes. EPIC 110 N. 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 5540. Saturday, October 24, 2009.

SEACHIP Assistance to Insure Children

From 2009 to 2011, the Lao Assistance Center will be part of a coalition to implement the Southeast Asian Children’s Health Insurance Program (SEACHIP), to enroll low-income, uninsured Southeast Asian children in Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare insurance plans.

The United Cambodian Association of Minnesota, Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women in Minnesota, and Vietnamese Social Services will partner together on this initiative with the Lao Assistance Center.

Recognizing that millions of children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, but are therefore needlessly uninsured, the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 set aside $100 million for fiscal years 2009-2013 expressly to help find and enroll eligible children. “No child in America should go without decent healthcare,” said Cindy Mann, director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations, the group within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services that will administer the grants. “With the funds we are awarding today we hope to reduce the number of children who do.”

If you are interested in getting health insurance for your children, contact Chongchith Saengsudham at chongchith@laocenter.org or call (612) 375-4967.

American DTV Switch Complete. Still Need Help?

Although the DTV conversion to digital television is now complete, the volunteers of the DTV Assistance Center at the Lao Assistance Center continue to provide support for members of the community to obtain digital converter boxes to receive HDTV. If you have questions, please feel free to call or stop by the Lao Assitance Center offices at 503 Irving Avenue North, Suite 100A in Minneapolis.

A big thank you to everyone who was so supportive of us as we assisted hundreds of families in making the switch. We couldn’t have done it without you! A special thanks to our partners with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund and Grassroots Solutions who helped make this possible.

Support Census 2010 Efforts, Help Lao Change Community

Completing the Census helps us see the progress Lao have made in education, business and community and family development. It’s an easy and exciting opportunity to learn more about the changes we’ve seen in the last ten years and to see where we can go in the future.

Minnesota has the third largest population of Lao in America based on the last Census figures. At one point, the Lao were the 6th largest population in Minnesota with nearly 25,000 residents. How has that changed? Let’s find out!

Among the biggest problems we're concerned with this year are apathy, fear and ignorance about what the Census 2010 is and isn't and showing the community how to avoid scams from unscrupulous individuals pretending to be a part of the Census count. Remember! The Census will never ask you for social security numbers or bank account numbers. Information is confidential and anonymous!

If you'd like to get involved in Census 2010 efforts in the Minnesota community contact us at the Lao Assistance Center. Pany Siharath is taking the lead on these efforts at the Lao Assistance Center and you can contact him at pany@laocenter.org or call the Lao Assistance Center at (612) 375-4967.

Lao Assistance Center staff presents at 2009 Asian Media Camp

Lao Assistance Center staff member Bryan Thao Worra spoke on October 15th to 28 Asian American youth in Minnesota on his work and life as a writer as part of the 2009 Asian Media Camp organized by Asian Media Access. Thao Worra, along with other mentors from the National Asian American Professionals Association and other community members reflected on the skills they needed to succeed in school and in their jobs.

Offered each year by Asian Media Access, the camp uses hands-on media training, teaching Asian American youth and giving them a chance to explore current issues in ways to effectively reach a broad audience. Students are assigned to one of the four training groups - Video Production, Video Editing, Creative Writing and Photography - and receive specialized training in those areas. Students then collaborate with each other in production groups and produce their own short videos, written articles and photographs.

This year's camp was held at Camp Kingswood in woodsy Minnetrista.

"It is our belief that youth should consider their future, by defining both a career goal and the steps necessary to achieve that goal," said Ange Hwang, executive director of Asian Media Access. "The mission of Asian Media Access is to connect the disconnected."

Asian Media Access’ team have been working to focus their curriculum on life skills, leadership development, career exploration and education choices, so that our youth will be ready to enter the adult world. Mentor Presentation was a crucial piece of that exploration process.

"I was very happy to speak to the youth, and I hope to see even more young voices participate in the years ahead," Thao Worra said. "I was particularly happy to see the number of Asian American girls represented this year, and look forward to seeing more of these bright voices exploring their potential as participants in our society."

Online Unemployment Resources

One of the important parts of any job search is finding good leads to start with. The Internet has many sites which offer jobs but there are also a few places where better job opportunities get posted very consistently. Some of our favorites include:

• SimplyHired www.simplyhired.com 
• Indeed www.indeed.com
• Jobster www.jobster.com
• CareerBuilder www.careerbuilder.com
• JobCentral www.jobcentral.com
• HotJobs www.hotjobs.com

Don't be discouraged when looking for work! Be sure to spend time connecting with family and friends during this time, and if you spot jobs which aren't good for you but maybe for others, pass them on. Together, we grow as a community!

Asian American Scholarships

One of the most comprehensive guides for scholarships for Asian American students can be found at:
http://www.aast.umd.edu/scholarshipdirectory.html with resources that are current up to 2011. But deadline dates are coming up soon for students and they should start getting ready. If you have students who are interested in applying for scholarships, please contact the Lao Assistance Center at (612) 374-4967 or bryant@laocenter.org and we can give you additional tips and ways to write a successful scholarship application.

Deadlines will be coming up soon, so it's best for students to prepare ahead of time. Good academics and community involvement, particularly a demonstration of leadership skills and abilities is an important part of the application. If your youth are interested in finding opportunities to volunteer in the community, feel free to contact us and we'll provide some great ideas!

Legacies of War Petition to Remove UXO from Laos

From our colleagues at Legacies of War:

Laos is the most bombed country in history as a result of U.S. bombings from 1964-1973, leaving close to half of the country contaminated with vast quantities of unexploded ordnances, including 78 million cluster bombs that litter forests, rice fields, villages, school grounds, roads, and other populated areas.

Over 34,000 people have been killed or injured since the bombing ceased, most of whom are children. And now, nearly 40 years after the last bombs were dropped, over 300 new casualties occur each year.

To stop the continued harm and suffering of innocent lives a petition has been started to ask the U.S. government to increase funding for cluster bomb removal in Laos and assist victims and affected families. You can sign the petition today and get involved.

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR THE WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS

In a ceremony on October 15th at the White House, President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order reestablishing the White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders (the Initiative) and in doing so demonstrated a federal level commitment to improving the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) throughout the United States.

The Initiative was first established during the Clinton Administration in 1999 and was initially housed in the Department of Health and Human Services and then later in the Department of Commerce. Under President Obama, the Initiative now officially moves to the Department of Education. As President Obama stated during the signing ceremony earlier today, the mission of the Initiative is to “work with 23 agencies and departments across our government to improve the health, education, and economic status of AAPI communities.” The Initiative and the Commission will be co-chaired by the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, and the Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke.

While President Obama talked today about the many strengths of the AAPI communities, he also acknowledged that significant obstacles still face many AAPIs. He discussed health and educational disparities, as well as high poverty rates and language access challenges, all issues that are of importance to Southeast Asian Americans, and issues that the Initiative will work to address.

“SEARAC commends President Obama for reestablishing the White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders. This is an exciting moment and an important indication that the Obama Administration takes the concerns of our diverse AAPI communities seriously. We recognize that the challenges facing many in our communities are great, and the Initiative will need support and active cooperation from all communities around the country. We look forward to our partnership with the Initiative,” states Doua Thor, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Resource Action Center.

The Lao Assistance Center also recognizes the significance of this moment and is pleased that the Obama Administration takes the needs and concerns of the AAPI communities seriously. "We look forward to seeing those interests reflected in emerging policy and opportunities," said Sunny Chanthanouvong, executive director for the Lao Assistance Center.

October 24th: Asian American & Pacific Islander Initiative Leadership Summit 2009

Asian American & Pacific Islander
Initiative Leadership Summit 2009:
Are We Relevant? Making a Case for Our Community

Free Leadership & Professional Development Training
Leadership Summit 2009 is designed for young professionals, non-profit staff and board leaders interested in honing their leadership skills to be the leaders to transform and lead their organizations or community.

Workshops are lead by professionals with extensive experience in leadership development.

Participants will receive:
-Free Leadership Assessment Test & Feedback to all participants
-Help leaders craft a 30 second leadership statement
-Help leaders craft a 30 second case statement for their community & organizations
-Free staff and board development training

Registration is FREE
RSVP to Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans at 651-757-1740 or jovita.bjoraker@state.mn.us

This summit is made possible through funding from Hennepin County, which provides support for the Hennepin County Asian American & Pacific Islander Initiative.

Agenda:
9:00 am Leadership Panel
10:00 am Leadership Assessment Survey
11:00 am Leadership Feedback
12:00 pm Industry Specific Discussions
-Private Industry
-Non-Profit Leadership
-Non-Profit Board Development
-Non-Profit Staff Development

This Week At The Lao Assistance Center: 10/12-10/16

This week, the Lao Assistance staff met with the staff of Project for Pride in Living and the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans to discuss issues of unemployment and community access to key job hunting resources.

Our offices were also visited by local political candidates running for several positions including the Parks and Recreation board. Earlier, on October 9th, the Lao Assistance Center was visited by members of the National Gender Equity campaign to discuss our progress in exploring issues of social justice in the community.

We also met with local Latin American community organizers regarding preparations for Census 2010. We're very excited about this important project and we hope all Lao will take part in the Census. We want to know how much our community has changed in 10 years!


We recently completed our quarterly report regarding our Southeast Asian Living Chemically Free program with Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council.

On Saturday, October 17th, Kinnary Pimpadubsee, the Lao Assistance Center Youth Coordinator will be meeting with youth to discuss issues of alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention and work with them to plan a youth forum in December.This will take place at 2PM at the Lao Assistance Center at 503 Irving Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN.

The Lao Assistance Center continues to offer one-on-one, group and family support sessions for individuals who wish to recover from alcoholism, drug use and smoking. If you are interested in these services for yourself or someone you know, call 612-374-4967.


Bounleuth Gowing, our Elder Access specialist, continues her work to assist Lao elders in Minnesota, helping them to participate in our community and to access the services and support they need. A growing concern for her is the number of isolated Lao women who are elders and how their needs can be met so that they can age with dignity. She recently met on October 2nd with Senator Mee Moua and other Minnesota politicians to advocate for changes in state policies for elders that were excluding the voice of immigrants and refugees. She presented a letter to Senator Moua outlining some of the Lao Assistance Center's deep concerns, drawing from both her personal observations as well as trends other communities are identifying.

The Lao Assistance Center continues to offer support for individuals facing issues of unemployment and housing foreclosure and is examining ways to strengthen its connections to agencies working at many different levels on this issue. We are continuing to support the project members of Lao Community Learning Change, an approach to empower at-risk, unemployed Lao men and women to develop key skills to effectively find work and improve conditions for workers in ways that allow them to spend more time with their families and community in order to escape multigenerational cycles of poverty.

The Lao Assistance Center is currently working to raise funds to bring several special projects to the Twin Cities, including classes in traditional Lao dance and music and the acclaimed play, Refugee Nation. The agency hopes to have great news to report to everyone soon.

With the recent snowfall in Minnesota, now is a good time to remind everyone to be careful when traveling and to be prepared in your automobiles as well as at home.

This Week At The Lao Assistance Center: 9/26-10/1

Saturday, September 26, 2009: Lao Community Forum: "Southeast Asians Living Chemically Free," C1 Buffet, 4pm to 7pm. Free to the public. 32 people showed up. Thanks for coming! The Community Forum was located at: 6090 Shingle Creek Pkwy Minneapolis, MN 55430-2316. Everyone had a great time and felt like they were informed about vital issues impacting the Lao Americans who wanted to be successful in life. A recurring idea was that alcohol and tobacco, and especially drugs were not a healthy part of that route to success in most cases.

Monday, September 28, 2009: Lao Chemical Health Support Group. "Success Series: Healthy Living Chemical Free," Lao Assistance Center, 11am to 1pm. 10 people showed up this week. For more information contact: kinnaryp@laocenter.org or call 612-374-4967.

Family & Client Support Group. Lao Assistance Center, 2pm to 4pm. 15 people showed up this week. For more information contact: phouninh@laocenter.org or call 612-374-4967.

The Staff of the Lao Assistance Center

Sunny Sinh Chanthanouvong, Executive Director
sunny@laocenter.org

Mr. Chanthanouvong has been with the Lao Assistance Center since 1992, starting as a Youth Specialist. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State University Mankato and is a certified interpreter and is fluent in Lao, Thai, and English. With extensive experience in social service, legal, community liaison, and administrative areas, Sunny Chanthanouvong has been the Executive Director since 2001. He is a member of the Minnesota Compulsive Gambling Advisory Committee and serves on the Minneapolis Human Rights Commission.


Phouninh Vixayvong, Chemical Health Coordinator
phouninh@laocenter.org
Ms. Vixayvong is the Executive Director of the Lao Women Association, an independent non-profit organization co-located with the Lao Assistance Center. A teacher both in Laos and in the Twin Cities, she has a Bachelors degree from Metropolitan State University and is a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor as well as a certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor. Working in the Lao community since 1985, she is well known and respected, particularly by Lao women. She is fluent in Lao, English, Thai, Vietnamese, and French.


Pany Siharath, Chemical Health Outreach Worker
Pany@laocenter.org
Pany Siharath has been a long-time board member of the Lao Assistance Center and one of its earliest volunteers. He became part-time staff in July, 2008. He has been a realtor and trained on issues of chemical health, unemployment and foreclosure prevention with NeighborWorks America. A former aviation specialist, he also has been a Bilingual Parent Liaison for the YMCA, working with youth and was also a liaison for Lincoln Elementary where he worked with Lao children and families until 2002. Pany Siharath is very well known and respected elder in the Lao community and also extremely qualified on issues of drug, alcohol and tobacco cessation issues. He is fluent in Lao, English, Thai and French.

Kinnary Pimpadubsee, Chemical Health Youth Cooridinator
Kinnaryp@laocenter.org
Kinnary Pimpadubsee has been a long-time board member of the Lao Assistance Center since 2004-2008 and has been a volunteer since 2000. She became part-time staff in 2009. She has been trained on issues of chemical health and youth leadership development. She was with the Youth Leadership Council on the Asian Coalition Against Tobacco from 2000-2008.  She has also been part of the steering committee of the Harrison Neighborhood Association working on neighborhood revitalization. Pimpadubsee studied graphic design and visual communication at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Pimpadubsee is very active in the Lao community and also fluent in Lao and English.

Bounleuth Gowing, Special Access Worker
bounleuth@laocenter.org
Bounleuth Gowing has worked for seven years as a CHW at the Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota, located in Minneapolis. Shewas born in Laos, but has lived in Minnesota for 15 years. Her career has included work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (both here and in Laos), a Family Case Worker, and a Community Health Worker. Her current projects include outreach to isolated Lao elders.

Chongchith Saengsudham, Family Resource Specialist
chongchith@laocenter.org
Chongchith Saengsudham began volunteering at the Lao Center in 2002 and became full-time staff in January, 2005. She has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Library Science and is fluent in Lao, Thai, French and English. She has been an international business owner owning restaurants, movie theaters, gas station and a bookstore. She facilitates the Financial Counseling program, Income Tax assistance, and Tobacco Cessation.

Bryan Thao Worra, Administrative Support
Bryant@@laocenter.org
Bryan Thao Worra is an award-winning, internationally published author and community activist. He began working with the Lao Assistance Center in 2009. He has previously worked for three years in North Minneapolis on housing foreclosure issues with the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council. He has worked for over 10 years in the non-profit sector with Hmong National Development, the National Youth Leadership Council, Asian Media Access, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly and the Hmong American Institute for Learning. He holds a Fellowship in Literature from the National Endowment for the Arts.

This Week at the Lao Assistance Center: July 20-24th

Elder Access staff member Bounleuth Gowing attended the national N4N Conference in Minneapolis to learn more about current and emerging health care issues for the elderly, particularly in regards to the Meals On Wheels program, how to better meet the needs of our community members and how to obtain the support we need to help others.

The Lao Assistance Center staff went to support CAPI, a local non-profit organization holding their fundraiser and community dialogue on refugees and immigrants at the acclaimed Weisman Art Museum. Representatives from Shades of Yellow, Mu Performing Arts and Asian Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy were also in attendance.

Chongchith Saengsudham and the volunteers of the DTV Assistance Center at the Lao Assistance Center are continuing to provide support for members of the community to obtain digital converter boxes during the national transition to HDTV. If you have questions, please feel free to call or stop by the Lao Assitance Center offices at 503 Irving Avenue North, Suite 100A in Minneapolis.

The staff members of the Southeast Asians Living Chemically Free program held a youth leadership meeting this week to work with Lao American youth to develop leadership skills and to understand the importance of living without abuse of drugs, tobacco or alcohol in their lives. If you or someone you know would like to be involved in the program, contact Kinnary Pimpadubsee at kinnary@laocenter.org or call (612) 375-4967.

Southeast Asians Living Chemically Free is holding a support group on Saturday, July 25th from 11am-2pm at the C1 Buffet at6090 Shingle Creek Pkwy in Minneapolis. The free support group is for Laotian Americans living in the Northwest Hennepin county region who are seeking help in recovery from alcohol, tobacco or drug usage. If you are interested in receiving more information on the support group or similar projects call Phouninh Vixavong at (612) 375-4967. Sessions will soon be available for clients and their families. Come back soon to learn more details!

Lao Assistance Center at Wat Lao Monticello!

Visit the Lao Assistance Center staff on Saturday, June 13th at the Wat Lao in Monticello! We'll be there to help celebrate Lao tradition and culture and to talk with members of the community about our programs including the effort to promote DTV awareness, the Census 2010 and our programs to assist elders and to help promote chemical health and prevent problem gambling. There will be many opportunities to learn how to live chemical free regarding alcohol, tobacco and drug use. And as always, you can always contact the Lao Assistance Center by e-mailing sunny@laocenter.org or calling 612-374-4967.

Census 2010 Efforts

If you'd like to get involved in Census 2010 efforts in the Minnesota community contact us at the Lao Assistance Center. Pany Siharath is taking the lead on these efforts at the Lao Assistance Center and you can contact him at pany@laocenter.org or call the Lao Assistance Center.

DTV Outreach at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market

On Saturday, June 6th, Lao Assistance Staff and youth volunteers along with representatives from Mn Media Empowerment Project, Grass Roots Solutions and Main Street Project came together to inform the community about resources available regarding the transition to DTV on June 12th at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market. Despite the cold and rain, everyone was happy to have the opportunity to talk to visitors from all over the Twin Cities and received great responses from many who were curious about their efforts.

Joint Staff Meeting With North Minneapolis Organizations

On Friday, June 5th, the Lao Assistance Center, Harrison Neighborhood Association, SEACC and other community organizations held a unique joint staff meeting to become acquainted with one another and to provide a greater opportunity for interorganization collaboration. The meeting was well attended and staff had an excellent opportunity to develop new plans for the future, including efforts to address Census 2010, DTV and other projects other groups are taking on in the common season ahead.

DTV Assistance Center Still Open!

The Lao Assistance Center in Minneapolis still has a DTV Assistance
Center to help Laotians prepare for the Digital TV Transition. This summer,
television stations will make the final transition towards Digital Television
and many older TV sets will no longer function without a signal converter box.

If you know someone who wants to know what kind of a converter box to
get, where to get one and how to install one properly, contact the Lao
Assistance Center at (612) 374-4967 or e-mail chongchith@laocenter.org.
You can also drop in at 503 Irving Ave. N in Minneapolis during regular
business hours.

Lao Assistance Center Staff Member Honored At Asian Pacific Heritage Awards

The Annual Dinner to commemorate May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was held on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hmong American Center, home of the non-profit organization, Hmong American Partnership at 1075 Arcade Street in St. Paul. Congratulations to Lao Assitance Center staff member Bryan Thao Worra who received a leadership award for excellence in the arts.

The dinner program consisted of a keynote address by Jon Campbell, Wells Fargo Bank’s Head of Social Responsibilities Group; the presentation of the annual Asian Pacific Leadership Awards; and a cultural performance by Julie Troung of the Chinese American Association of Minnesota’s Dance Theater.

This year, there were four recipients of the annual Asian Pacific Leadership Awards:
Tanweer A. Janjua is recognized for outstanding contribution and demonstrating vision and leadership in civil engagement through his educational efforts and outreach to get out and increase the Asian American and Pacific Islander vote.

K. Dennis Kim, Ph.D., P.E. is recognized for outstanding contribution to the business sector and for community service. Kim took over Enviroscience in 1982, which became EVS, a full service consulting civil engineering firm in 2003. Kim has served on state business committees, and as the Country Officer for Taiwan and Korea for the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, as chair of the Minnesota Korean Association and president of the Korean Environmental Professionals Association in America. He also serves on the Board of the Minnesota Chorale, and the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota board.

Bryan Douglas Thao Worra, a National Endowment of the Arts Literature Fellow, poet and activist, is recognized for his outstanding contribution to the Asian Pacific Islander arts and literature movement in Minnesota. Thao Worra was nominated by Saymoukda Vongsay, who said that it is his belief in making “a world where cultural diversity is a strength and not a liability, that has had a major impact in the course of 10 years since moving to Minnesota.
“Bryan has worked tirelessly as a Laotian American transcultural adoptee to create a space for Southeast Asian American writers not only in the Minnesota and Midwestern literary community but nationally and internationally,” said Vongsay in the nomination letter.

Additionally, the CAPM Board of Directors recognized Mr. Vy Van Pham with the “Distinguished Service” Award for his many years of commitment to and efforts on behalf of the community and public service.

This year’s banquet theme was “Across the Waves: In Pursuit of a Good Life.”

In May 1990, President George H. W. Bush designated May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroard on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans was created by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1985. The primary mission of the Council is to serve Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, current population 207,000 in the following ways: ensure they are more fully incorporated into the governmental and policy making process; help them gain better access to state government services; ensure that their talents and resources are used and promoted; and serve as a bridge between them and non-Asian-Pacific peoples.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated with community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students. At the State level, the Council commemorates May as Heritage Month with an annual dinner and the awarding of the Asian-Pacific Leadership Awards to outstanding persons and organizations who have made a significant contribution or improvement to the Asian Pacific community in Minnesota. The Council also coordinates a “Calendar of Events’ by challenging and offering assistance and support to communities, cities, and school to develop and implement their own events to commemorate Heritage Month.

Lao Assistance Staff meet with Noi Sengsourigna and the Children's Music Center

had the opportunity to meet with the immensely talented Lao singer and activist Noi Sengsourigna who is currently touring the United States as a cultural ambassador from Laos.

She is also working to bring attention to the amazing work at the Sengsourigna Children’s Music Center (SCMCC) which is working under the umbrella of Social Science Researchers Art of Speaking Promotion Association or SRASPA. The inspiration for the Center came about in 1982 in Sihome Village.  There, Noi Sengsourigna’s father ran the Traditional Music Center. The Sengsourigna Children's Music Center is devoted to teaching dance, music and Lao culture to Lao children in Shihone primary schools and other locations. In addition to dance and music, children are taught painting, drawing, reading, storytelling and other graphic arts.

It's really a terrific project. You can find out more athttp://noiscmcc.com/SCMCC.html.

Laotians Need To Be Counted: Census 2010

How many Lao are there in America?

Every 10 years we count the population, and in 2010 the US new census will be taken. The results we get help determine where federal aid and support goes for the next decade and has great historical and educational value.

Above are the results from the last Census, with map developed and generously donated by Norasack Pathammavong (www.NorasackDesign.com) for the Laotian American National Alliance. (www.lana-usa.org)

A lot has probably changed since 2000 and we need help making sure everyone is counted when the Census comes. Looking at the figures, do you think your state's population has grown or shrunk since we last looked?

http://www.searac.org/seastatprofilemay04.pdf

The Southeast Asian Resource Action Center in DC assembled a good profile issued in 2004 that broke down the information from the 2000 census, in addition to some other interesting figures. The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans also has a pretty good profile on the MN community:
http://www.capm.state.mn.us/pdf/Minnesota_Profile.pdf

A key question is of course, these are people who self-identify as Lao, and doesn't take into account biracial, multiracial individuals or families, or some of the smaller minority populations from Laos. There's still a lot of work needed to fine-tune the figures from any given census.

There are many things we are really interested in seeing if there's been a change.

For example, in 2000, among those who responded from the Lao community, only 7.6% of us had bachelor's degrees or higher and only .2% had a PhD. Across the entire US, with all categories included, the average is: 1 out of 4 people have a bachelor's degree or higher. Interestingly, nearly 39% of Asian American women have bachelor's degrees from all Asian groups, and 46% of Asian American men.

At the start of this century, nearly 45% of us worked in production, transport and material moving occupations. That's a lot of deliveries and trucking!

And our average household income was $42,838! The average American household made $50,046 while Asian Americans made $57,874 for comparison.

Won't it be interesting to see how we've shifted?

But we need to start getting the word out to have people fill out the surveys, because they DO matter.

AAPIP/NGEC Organizational Fellowships Announced!

Lao Assistance Center staff traveled recently to Oakland to attend a gathering convened by Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy. 

This was part of the National Gender & Equity Campaign, which celebrated an important milestone February 18, 2009, with a $2.7 million investment in twelve Asian American organizations in both California and Minnesota. This was a major undertaking organized as part of the prestigious NGEC Organizational Fellowship Program. 

For Minnesota, the organizations selected were the Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women in Minnesota, Center for Hmong Arts and Talent, Centre for Asian Pacific Islanders, Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota, Shades of Yellow and Mu Performing Arts, all of whom we've known in one way or another over the years.

In the coming months ahead, we'll be profiling them and discussing some of the ideas they're working with and whether or not those concepts can work in our community.

The NGEC believes Asian American and Pacific Islander grassroots leadership is a vital part of building a more inclusive, effective, and lasting social justice movement.  There will be many changes ahead for all of these groups and those from California, and the Lao Assistance Center looks forward to growing in the coming years ahead to meet those changes.

“NGEC and the Organizational Fellowship Program really represent the core of AAPIP’s commitment to a vision of philanthropy that views community leaders and organizations as critical partners in determining how best to invest in their communities,” Peggy Saika, AAPIP Executive Director said in a statement. “This commitment could not be more important than now – when the need to invest in all communities in the face of a struggling economy is even more important, and valuable gains might be lost without continued support. Philanthropy has a responsibility to step up. And now is that time.”

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy’s National Gender & Equity Campaign is a demonstration project created by Asian American women to support, engage and strengthen the infrastructure for social justice movement building. 

You can see many of the pictures from the event on Bryan Thao Worra's flickr account.

DTV Assistance Center Now Open

The Lao Assistance Center in Minneapolis just opened a DTV Assistance Center to help Laotians prepare for the Feb. 17 Digital TV Transition. The DTV help hubs have opened with the assistance of the Lao Assistance Center, Main Street Project, and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund. The Twin Cities metro is one of seven cities nationwide opening assistance centers tol assist impacted communities with the transition and offer information and tech support before, during, and after the transition.

If you know someone who wants to know what kind of a converter box to get, where to get one and how to install one properly, contact the Lao Assistance Center at (612) 374-4967 or e-mail chongchith@laocenter.org. You can also drop in at 503 Irving Ave. N in Minneapolis during regular business hours.

LAO ASSISTANCE CENTER OFFERS HELP FOR ALCOHOL, DRUG, TOBACCO ABUSE

The Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota now offers support and assistance for individuals and families who are concerned about issues involving dependency and abuse of substances like alcohol, drugs and other substances that are harmful for you.

The Northwest Hennepin Human Service Council is currently supporting the Lao Assistance Center and the Southeast Asian Community Council to address many issues including denial and the negative impact alcohol, tobacco and other drugs have on individuals, their family and the community. Together, they hope to facilitate appropriate and timely access to successful treatment and provide support for sobriety for Hmong and Lao in the Northwest Hennepin metro area.

“This is an important issue for our community,” said Sunny Chanthanouvong, Executive Director. “We know it’s not easy, but we want people to know we’re here and there for them.”

The Lao Assistance Center has several qualified staff members working daily to assist community members of all ages who seek help, and will be increasing their programs throughout the year to build a better understanding of these problems in the community.

In the future, they will be conducting trainings and outreach to people of all ages, presenting at community events and special occasions. There will be biweekly support groups and resources to assist families and individuals in developing sobriety plans that allow them to enjoy happy, healthy and productive lifestyles.Groups who are interested in seeing presentations should contact the Lao Assistance Center.

For more information about the Lao Assistance Center’s programs and how to get involved, you can contact them at (612) 374-4967 or e-mail sunny@laocenter.org.

Or visit them online at www.laocenter.org
Their offices at 503 Irving Avenue North in Minneapolis.

Special Access In Action

In December during the holidays, Mrs. V., a recent widow in her 80s living in the Harrison Neighborhood of Minneapolis learned to cut coupons for the first time to assist herself and her children and grandchildren.

Many in her family were recently laid off from their jobs during the financial crisis. Her husband passed away two months ago. He was a veteran of the Royal Lao Army who assisted the United States during the war.

Mrs. V. currently has very limited financial support in the form of SSI and public assistance. She was born in Luang Prabang and came to the US as a refugee almost 25 years ago. Mrs. V. is currently living by herself in subsidized public housing. She has no English skills and cannot drive. She deeply appreciates the support Special Access gives.

The Special Access staff of the the Lao Elders and Families program currently visits her and other Lao elders once a week to take her shopping for groceries and to meet other needs. Special Access staff also assist her in reading her mail and other documents she receives.

The Lao Elders and Families program can always use volunteers. Let us know if you're interested in helping!

Special Access in Action

On Thanksgiving weekend, Mr. T., a 76-year old veteran from Savannakhet  was struck by a hit and run driver while walking to Cub Foods to get food. He was checked into Hennepin County Medical Center. 

When he was entered, he gave the hospital staff the Lao Assistance Center's Special Access staff business card to contact for help. He lives in North Minneapolis by himself in public housing. He has limited English and marginal financial support from SSI and Public Assistance. He was a military officer in Laos and came to the US 25 years ago to rebuild his life. We wish him a speedy recovery. 

If you are interested in more information about Special Access for elders in Minnesota, contact the bilingual Lao Special Access Worker, who can meet you at our offices or your home. 

If you need help, please call:
Bounleuth Gowing, Special Access Worker, (612) 374-4967 or e-mail

bounleuth@laocenter.org 

The Lao Assistance Center can also use volunteers who would like to help us meet the needs of Lao elders in Minnesota. If you are interested, please let us know!

This program made possible by a grant from the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging.