Southeast Asians Living Chemically Free: Forum for Lao Women

LAO WOMEN Ages 20-40, living in Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, New Hope, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Corcoran and Champlin:

Come to C1 Buffet on Tuesday, August 16th, 2011, for FREE DINNER (5:30 pm - 7:30 pm) and participate in the Lao Assistance Center's focus group on chemical health issues in the Lao community. They'll also have a drawing at the end of our focus group. You could win a $25.00 gift card. Invite your girl friends.

FREE Workshop on Legal Advice!

Basics of Law Workshop

with Loddy Elizabeth Tolzmann

Hosted by Lao Assistance Center

503 Irving Ave N. Suite #100, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Conference Room

Thursday May 12, 2011

Workshop: 12:00pm-1:00pm

One-on-One Consultation: 1:00pm-2:30pm

Lunch will be provided

WORKSHOP

Loddy is a Lao-American attorney who will be presenting on the basics of law and to help the community understand how to seek appropriate legal advice. These key topics will be discussed:

• How do I know if I need a Lawyer? Should I hire one or do this on my own?
• How do I find the right lawyer? What questions should I ask?
• What are my rights in a lawyer-client relationship?
• What does my lawyer expect from me?
• How do I pay for a lawyer? What are the different types of fee agreements? What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
• What are the different types of law that are commonly addressed in the Twin Cities area?
• What community, legal, and state resources are available to me?
• If I have a private dispute with a neighbor, friend, or family member - what should I do?
• How does the American legal system work?

PRESENTER

Loddy Elizabeth Tolzmann has been practicing law over six years, particularly in the field of immigration. She has extensive and well-rounded experience in employment-based immigration, family-based immigration, consular-based processing, and deportation defense. She has represented clients before U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services, the local immigration courts, and U.S. embassies/consulates worldwide. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law and Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. She is licensed in the states of Minnesota and Nevada.

Prior to becoming a partner at Tolzmann and Nordell, she was an associate attorney at Davis and Goldfarb PLLC and also served as the U.S. Branch Manager of a leading international-based immigration and visa consult firm in London. At the University of St. Thomas School of Law, she has served as a Board Director for the Alumni Board and currently serves as a mentor for the law's school mentor program. She is a 2009 recipient of the University of St. Thomas School of Law Alumni Living the Mission Award and has attained St. Thomas' Society of the Arches Socius Approbtus status for her contributions of time and talent to the university community. Elizabeth is also a Board Member of Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a nonprofit and non-governmental organization based in Washington, DC, whose mission is to clear the remnants of armed conflict from some of the world's poorest nations; educate and employ local people; and help provide solutions for those trapped by poverty and economic devastation through no fault of their own. She has volunteered for the Tubman Safety Program and served as a legal advocate for domestic abuse victims in Hennepin County. Elizabeth is fluent in the Laotian language.

For more info on legal services, visit: www.tolzmannlaw.com. If interested in attending, please RSVP with Chanida at chanidap@laocenter.org. Hope to see you there!

Chanida Phaengdara

Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota

503 Irving Avenue North

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405

Office: 612.374.4967

Fax: 612.312.1150

chanidap@laocenter.org

New Positions Open at Lao Center!

Two positions are open at Lao Assistance Center! See below and apply if interested!

Adult Support Specialist, Chemical Health Program

Part-time

Position Description

Position Title: Adult Support Specialist, Chemical Health Program

Organization: Since 1983, our mission as a 501 c(3) non-profit organization is to enhance the quality of life of Minnesota Lao families. Our goals include meeting basic needs, increased self-reliance and youth development, reduced social isolation and promoting cultural equity for a community of 25,000+ Lao in Minnesota.

Reports to: Program Manager

Program Summary

Southeast Asians Living Chemically-Free is a pilot program in partnership with Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council's (NWHHSC).

We work with Lao families to promote healthier lifestyles through education, engagement, and empowerment. Our focus is to create open and safe dialog through a supportive system of friends, families, and community members. We provide culturally-appropriate resources and tools through leadership-building and educational support sessions that address chemical health topics and other health-related concerns that impact the local Lao community.

Position Summary

Provide a wide range of services and activities to address the chemical health needs and leadership development of Lao and other Southeast Asian youth from the Northwest Hennepin County area. Works with the Chemical Health Team to meet program requirements of creating a culturally-specific model that promotes prevention, supports sobriety, and healthier lifestyles. Helps educate community, staff, mainstream health & human service providers, and partner agencies on Southeast Asian youth substance abuse issues.

Responsibilities:

Program Development and Management

• Meet high expectations of objectives and goals per program contract with NWHHSC.
• Provide vision and leadership for the pilot program
• Build and maintain partnerships with community resources which provide chemical health care to the Lao adults within the community.
• Provide chemical health information, referrals, and/or advocacy to Lao clients and their families.
• Work in partnership with other Chemical Health workers, related professionals, and paraprofessionals.
• Maintain a confidential participant and client record keeping system and provide reports as requested.
• Develop, plan and facilitate community chemical health outreach, education and support group activities for adult clientele.
• Assist in conducting program reports and data collection (both qualitative and quantitative) on adult activities.
• Assess chemical health care needs of the Lao community.
• Train Lao communities on essential chemical health issues affecting adults and their families.

Evaluation

o Collect data about clients through surveys, interviews, and case history

o Prepare documentation for grant reports as requested

o Participate in Chemical Health evaluation and outcome discussions

Additional Responsibilities

o A commitment to the LACM mission and pilot project goals

o Compliance with all operating policies and procedures of the LACM

• Maintain all program documents and financial records at the office

o Translate/Interpret for agency clients when necessary

• Attend and participate in all meetings and trainings of staff, partnership meetings with NWHHSC and DHS
• Meet with supervisor regularly
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree preferred and/or 3+ years experience in a directly related field; experience with Lao adult community highly preferred.
• Must be bilingual in Lao/English
• Demonstrated experience working with adults and/or seniors from diverse communities, preferably Lao/Southeast Asian communities

o Commitment to team work, development, responsibility, and creativity

o Ability to work with diverse class groups, agencies, organizations and government systems

o Have strong self-motivation to work independently and with a team

o Have schedule flexibility to work on nights and weekends when needed

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively with a wide range of people
• Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office 2003+ applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook Have a valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and appropriate insurance

To Apply: Please send cover letter, resume, and references to Sunny Chanthanouvong at Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota. Email: sunny@laocenter.org OR Mail to: 503 Irving Avenue North Suite #100, Minneapolis, MN 55405, OR Fax: 612-312-1150 Application Deadline: Open until filled

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Youth Support Specialist, Chemical Health Program

Part-time

Position Description

Position Title: Youth Support Specialist, Chemical Health Program

Organization: Since 1983, our mission as a 501 c(3) non-profit organization is to enhance the quality of life of Minnesota Lao families. Our goals include meeting basic needs, increased self-reliance and youth development, reduced social isolation and promoting cultural equity for a community of 25,000+ Lao in Minnesota.

Reports to: Program Manager

Program Summary

Southeast Asians Living Chemically-Free is a pilot program in partnership with Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council's (NWHHSC).

We work with Lao families to promote healthier lifestyles through education, engagement, and empowerment. Our focus is to create open and safe dialog through a supportive system of friends, families, and community members. We provide culturally-appropriate resources and tools through leadership-building and educational support sessions that address chemical health topics and other health-related concerns that impact the local Lao community.

Position Summary

Provide a wide range of services and activities to address the chemical health needs and leadership development of Lao and other Southeast Asian youth from the Northwest Hennepin County area. Works with the Chemical Health Team to meet program requirements of creating a culturally-specific model that promotes prevention, supports sobriety, and healthier lifestyles. Helps educate community, staff, mainstream health & human service providers, and partner agencies on Southeast Asian youth substance abuse issues.

Responsibilities:

Program Development and Management

• Meet high expectations of objectives and goals per program contract with NWHHSC.
• Provide vision, leadership, and tools for the program’s Chemical Health Youth Leadership Coalition.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community resources which provide chemical health care to the Lao youth within the community.
• Provide chemical health information, referrals, and/or advocacy to Lao youth clients and their families.
• Work in partnership with other Chemical Health workers, related professionals, and school professionals.
• Maintain a confidential participant and client record keeping system and provide reports as requested.
• Develop, plan and facilitate community chemical health outreach, education and support group activities for youth clientele.
• Assist in conducting program reports and data collection (both qualitative and quantitative) on youth activities
• Assess chemical health care needs of the Lao community
• Train Lao communities on essential chemical health issues affecting youth and their families

Evaluation

o Collect data about clients through surveys, interviews, and case history

o Prepare documentation for grant reports as requested

o Participate in Chemical Health evaluation and outcome discussions

Additional Responsibilities

o A commitment to the LACM mission and pilot project goals

o Compliance with all operating policies and procedures of the LACM

• Maintain all program documents and financial records at the office
• Attend and participate in all meetings and trainings of staff, partnership meetings with NWHHSC and DHS
• Meet with supervisor regularly
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred and/or 3+ years experience in a directly related field
• Experience with high school youth highly preferred.
• Bilingual in Lao/English highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with youth from diverse communities, preferably Lao/Southeast Asian youth

o Commitment to team work, development, responsibility, and creativity

o Ability to work with diverse class groups, agencies, organizations and government systems

o Have strong self-motivation to work independently and with a team

o Have schedule flexibility to work nights and weekends when needed

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively with a wide range of people
• Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office 2003+ applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Have a valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and appropriate insurance

To Apply: Please send cover letter, resume, and references to Sunny Chanthanouvong at Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota. Email: sunny@laocenter.org OR Mail to: 503 Irving Avenue North Suite #100, Minneapolis, MN 55405, OR Fax: 612-312-1150 Application Deadline: Open until filled

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund is giving away a limited supply of free tickets to Southeast Asian youths under age 17 for the game on Friday April 22nd at 7:00pm against the Cleveland Indians. If you know anyone interested in attending, please contact Chanida at 612-374-4967 or email chanidap@laocenter.org with their full name and phone number, NO LATER than this Wednesday April 20th.

Lao Assistance Center to host MN Economic Opportunity Corps

The Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota has been selected to host 1 Minnesota Economic Opportunity Corps member for the 2010-11 program year, which begins on September 12, 2010. This was a highly competitive process this year, especially with recent efforts to cut funding for Americorps. Stay tuned for further details.

Community Health Roundtable on AAPI Communities.

Community Health Roundtable on AAPI Communities.
Monday, April 25, 2011. 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Hosted by Lao Assistance Center of MN/Harrison Education Center
503 North Irving Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Purpose:
White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders representatives will be collecting recommendations for federal policies, regulations, programs, and funding specifically related to health issues in our communities.

You will have the opportunity to:
· Share key recommendations on health issues which are impacting our communities
· Provide analysis on federal policies and programs affecting AAPIs.
· Advocate for inclusion of priorities within federal policies and programs

White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Representatives:
Doua Thor, Commissioner,
President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Gita Uppal, Senior Advisor on Health Policy,
WHIAAPI

Kate Moraras, Advisor on Health Policy and Community Engagement,
WHIAAPI

This roundtable event has limited space and is by invitation only. To RSVP, please email Chanida at chanidap@laocenter.org with your first and last name, affiliated organization, and email and phone number

Free Twins Tickets for Youths - Friday 4/22/11 Game

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund are giving away a limited supply of free tickets to Southeast Asian youths under age 17 for the game on Friday April 22nd at 7:00pm against the Cleveland Indians. Lao Center has secured about 18 tickets. If you know anyone interested in attending, please contact Chanida at 612-374-4967 or chanidap@laocenter.org with their full name and phone number NO LATER than this Wednesday April 20th.