Friday, July 9, 2010

Lao youth stay tobacco free!

Lao youth participating in the Tobacco Free Youth program had a busy Spring in Minnesota!

For starters, they held a video shoot at Brooklyn Center High School on April 1st to educate the community about the dangers of tobacco. They also met several times to visit stores in Northwest Hennepin County to promote positive health messages and create store partnerships to reduce tobacco advertising that occurs at eye-level for youth.

You may have seen some of the youth at the Lao New year in St. Paul at the Minnesota National Guard where they had a booth set up on April 17th.

The Lao Assistance Center hopes more families will support youth who want to reduce tobacco use in our community.

During a fundraising event at Wat Lao Monticello celebrating Boun Visaka Bouxa, a festival in memory of Buddha’s Birth, four Lao youth in our program did outreach here and at another Lao community fundraising for the Lao temple held at Harrison Neighborhood Association. The youth also participated in the Harrison Neighborhood Association annual dinner.

Eight of the youth gave a presentation at the Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Retreat at Bay Lake Camp Youth Presentation on June 11th-16th, and attended the Tobacco Free Yoth-Start Noticing’s trip to the Twins game.
The season wound down with the Lao youth doing outreach at the Boun Phra Vet celebration at the Wat Lao Farmington, where they handed out Tobacco Free Youth materials to all of the vendors in the event and to guests arriving at entrance the Wat.

As you see, it's been very busy!

The Lao Assistance Center thanks everyone who's involved including: Linda, Connie, Amanda, Melina, Alexis, Nina, Kinoy, Anna, Amy, Chanthala, Michael, Jeffrey, Aaron Reak, Annette, Katherine, Siren, Katty, Sandy, Dokeo, and Daisy!

You're all wonderful youth and you're making a difference!

If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved, let us know! Call 612-374-4967 or email chongchith@laocenter.org

No comments: