NGEC OFP regional convening this week

We'll be meeting with our regional partners from the Asian Pacific Islanders In Philanthropy's National Gender Equity Campaign's Organizational Fellowship Program this week.

Our staff will be making a presentation considering a number of excellent questions since we started this effort in 2009. We've been asked what has shifted or changed for our organization since starting the OFP? (for example – our mission, vision, values, structure, new programs) What are tangible practices that we have integrated into the organization as a result of the shifts and changes? What is our organization’s planned “gender justice/gender democracy” work for the year? And where do we hope your organization is at by the end of 2011?

These are challenging questions but important ones as we approach the next decade of development and ask what is important and meaningful for our work. We look forward to hearing from the other regional organizations as well, including Mu Performing Arts, CAPI, SOY, the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent and the Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women.

Lao Assistance Center Computer Lab In Action

The University of Minnesota's Urban Research Outreach/Exchange Center donated several computers for our computer lab in 2010 that PPL volunteers are using today to help train older Lao on basic keyboarding skills and computer literacy to help them apply for jobs in the future at the Lao Assistance Center.

Computer literacy is an essential skill for the modern workforce and equal access is vital for a fully participatory, informed democracy to be effective.

News, Events, Updates this Spring 2011

Check out these upcoming news and events happening at Lao Center!

• Thursday March 24th, 2011 -

  Get Jobs Job Fair

  Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eagan Civic Center 3870 Pilot Knob Road,

  Eagan, MN

  - An Employment Coordinator from LACM will be there to help guide you through job opportunities! For more info: http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/JobSeekers/WorkForce_Centers/Help_for_Jobseekers/Attend_a_Job_or_Career_Fair.aspx

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• Sunday March 27th, 2011 - 1st Community Health Forum: Lao-Healthy Habits 10:30am-12:30pm- Harrison Neighborhood Association's Conference Room - 503 Irving Ave N., Mpls- Health Education staff will be hosting an educational session on erasing myths about health concerns and developing healthy habits in the Lao community
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• Thursday March 31st, 2011 - 1st Youth Health Forum: College Night with UMN's Lao Student Association -Calling all youths to attend! - Brooklyn Center High School's Cafeteria - 6500 Humboldt Ave N. - Health education staff will host a catered presentation and engagement session about college readiness, life as a Lao college student, and community involvement. For more info: http://www.brookcntr.k12.mn.us/bchs/ or contact Phoutha 612-374-4967
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• Mobile office open for domestic/relationship violence/trafficking education and counseling - LACM welcomes Melissa S. from Asian Women United who can assist with resources, referrals, counseling, and educational materials for the community about domestic/relationship violence. For more info: http://www.mcbw.org/node/99
• Lao New Year is happening on Saturday April 16th at Harrison Education Center through Lao America. Check back for more details!

To RSVP to any of these events, call us at 612-374-4967!

Lao at Asian Day at the Capitol 2011!

Lao Assistance Center and the Lao Student Association of Minnesota joined hundreds of Asian American youth and community builders at the Minnesota State Capitol to meet with legislators and policy makers to raise awareness of the journey of the Lao refugees and Asian Americans in Minnesota, providing current statistics and asking questions from legislators regarding upcoming issues we should be aware of.

A big thanks to the staff and interns of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans who helped organize this day to make it possible!

The 2011 Lao Assistance Center Staff

L-R: Linda Homsombath, Pany Siharath, Phouthakannha Nantharath, Chongchith Saengsudham, Chanida Phaengdara, David Zander, Sunny Chanthanouvong and Bryan Thao Worra. 
Asian Women United has sent a representative to work with our community to help raise awareness of issues regarding human trafficking, domestic violence and other topics on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. AWUM is made up of women and men who believe in every woman’s right to a life of peace, wholeness and happiness. That includes a life free from emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Their programs and expertise focus on Asian women and girls, but their mission includes all domestic violence victims.

On Mondays we are continuing to offer a free computer lab and training classes thanks to our interns and support from PPL.  
Since 1972, thousands of low-income people have built brighter, stable futures and stronger communities as a result of PPL’s innovative approach of helping people help themselves. PPL’s mission is to: work with lower-income individuals and families to achieve greater self-sufficiency through housing, employment training, support services, and education.

Chemical Health Program Coordinator Available

Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council is seeking to fill the following position:

The Chemical Health Program Coordinator position involves implementing grant activities of the Southeast Asians Living Chemically Free program to address chemical health recovery maintenance and treatment gaps in providing local and culturally relevant support for Southeast Asians regarding chemical health awareness, use, abuse and sustaining sobriety. This is a part time (0.8 FTE) position through June 30, 2012, with possible extension of grant funding through June 30, 2013.

Please forward the attached job descriptions to your co-workers, partners and networks as appropriate. You can also direct people to the NWHHSC website employment page at: www.nwhhsc.org/employment