Lao Assistance Center Computer Literacy Program funded by Wells Fargo

The Lao Assistance Center program was recently funded by Wells Fargo, who provided $12,500 for the one-time purpose of purchasing and upgrading new equipment to help the organization carry out training and education programs to stabilize our community workforce.

Lao Assistance Center was interested in increasing the computer literacy and English comprehension and reading skills of the Lao community in Minnesota in concert with the mission of the Lao Assistance Center, ”to enhance the quality of life and increase self-reliance of Minnesota Lao families.”

We were also interested in placing unemployed Lao adults into jobs as rapidly as possible and to avert multigenerational cycles of poverty by promoting equitable engagement in labor and workforce development.

 LACF will use the funds provided to purchase computers and computer software programs as well as fund workshops and educational sessions related to employment, English comprehension and reading, and computer literacy development.

The goal of our proposal was to increase our capacity to provide online English language classes, job training and computer literacy training to unemployed or underemployed Lao adults by formalizing a computer training curriculum that includes an English skills (comprehension and reading) computer software program and continuing our job search training that include basic computer skills practicum.

We are implementing a four-pronged strategy that will significantly enhance access to computer literacy programs, English skills program and employment skills and job searching skills that are culturally specific to the Lao community. 

Our four key prongs are:

1. Develop a formal job readiness training curriculum that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.

2. Develop relationship with companies. High growth industry sectors are Healthcare, Finance/Insurance, Professional/Technical, Transportation and High-Tech Manufacturing.

3. Increase partnerships with organizations providing English language skills to Lao elders with limited English proficiency.

4. Leverage volunteers, including 2nd and 3rd generation Lao youth, to assist elders

Sunny Chanthanouvong, Executive Director of the Lao Assistance Center said: "We are very pleased to have this opportunity thanks to Wells Fargo. It is a deeply felt need in our community and these computers and this upgrade is a critical investment in our infrastructure to allow us to better serve our families, neighbors and country."

Wells Fargo believes that grant-making decisions are more effective when made locally. To implement this philosophy Wells Fargo is actively involved in the communities where they live and work, and their team members are often leaders in helping communities succeed. Wells Fargo primarily focuses on programs that support employment and economic development for low-income families or low-income households, particularly programs that address employment issues for single-parent heads of households, people of color and the working poor.

The Lao Assistance Center will be making additional announcements regarding the program and training dates shortly. Phouthakannha Nantharath is anticipated as the lead director of the Computer Literacy Program along with Chongchith Saengsudham, the Lao Assistance Center Adult Services Coordinator. For further information call the Lao Assistance Center at: (612) 374-4967 or sunny@laocenter.org