Wednesday, February 10, 2010
What's on your mind?
The Lao Assistance Center is developing our strategic directions for the next decade with your input. In the coming months ahead we will be holding community gatherings across the state to hear from you about how you want our community to move forward. You can call, write or drop by in person, or even let us know on the blog! Your voice counts!
Get Up to Speed with High Speed!
Lao community members and others are encouraged to attend a special event hosted by the Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition (Main Street Project, Minnesota Center for Neighborhood Organizing, Twin Cities Community Voicemail, and the People Escaping Poverty Project) on Monday, February 15th from 12pm-2pm at the Brian Coyle Center. The center is located at 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454.
The special guest is Mark Ritchie, Minnesota Secretary of State.
Free food provided by La Loma Restaurant, but the purpose of the meeting is to increase awareness of our community needs and our relationship to the internet.
Our housing, our education, our lives and our movement today depend heavily on the internet. This dependency puts those with access at an advantage and communities historically excluded at a disadvantage to participate fully in our communities. At this educational forum, we'll talk about the importance of the internet in our everyday lives and discuss how the struggles we face offline, relate to our struggles online. This is being held as part of the Media Action Grassroots Network's National Day of Action.
The special guest is Mark Ritchie, Minnesota Secretary of State.
Free food provided by La Loma Restaurant, but the purpose of the meeting is to increase awareness of our community needs and our relationship to the internet.
Our housing, our education, our lives and our movement today depend heavily on the internet. This dependency puts those with access at an advantage and communities historically excluded at a disadvantage to participate fully in our communities. At this educational forum, we'll talk about the importance of the internet in our everyday lives and discuss how the struggles we face offline, relate to our struggles online. This is being held as part of the Media Action Grassroots Network's National Day of Action.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Refugee Nation coming to Twin Cities 2010
On February 9th, the Lao Assistance Center received $5,000 from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council to bring the acclaimed play Refugee Nation to the Twin Cities in October, 2010. The play will be held at Intermedia Arts with Pangea Theater and TeAda Productions.
The actors collected oral histories and use ensemble performances to reveal the connections between the history of the U.S. and Laos. The play brings voice to a growing part of the Asian American diaspora excluded from mainstream and Asian American textbooks and art.
Presenting their very personal reconstructed memories, Refugee Nation seeks to create a performance to create dialogue within and outside of the Laotian community to promote restorative justice.
"We wanted to bring Refugee Nation to the Twin Cities for one month to have these talented actors work with our community members to bring our voices and stories to the stage," said Lao Assistance Center
Executive Director Sunny Chanthanouvong. Throughout the month, other exciting workshops and events are planned to help the state celebrate and remember the contributions of refugees.
The lead actor and writer is the acclaimed Ova Saopeng. Minnesota audiences may be familiar with Saopeng's work with the MN Children’s Theater and the Disney film series the Pirates of the Caribbean. Saopeng established the performing group,TeAda productions Inc., as a new avenue for the public to learn and understand the culture and traditions that link back to the Laotian community and his homeland.
TeAda Productions is a company dedicated to providing innovative theatrical experiences that educate audiences about multi-cultural issues. Saopeng also wrote and created "Welcome to LSL, Lao as A Second Language.”
The Lao story has been rarely told or heard, often due to language barriers and a lack of expressive opportunities.
"We've wanted to bring Refugee Nation to the Twin Cities for a long time, and 2010 seems like a perfect year to finally make it happen," says Sunny Chanthanouvong. "We hope to get everyone involved this October."
Monday, February 8, 2010
Being Proactive in Lao American Activism
Volunteer with your local community organization. There are still many organizations out there who can use volunteers who can use help to reach out to the community, particularly elders and youth. If you have skills you'd like to share, this is a great first step in becoming a Lao American activist. You can make a difference in the lives of other Lao Americans just by donating a few hours per month to an organization near you.
Develop political awareness! Follow the local politics and become aware of the legislation in your state that could help, or hurt, the lives of Lao Americans. Contact your representatives and tell them which issues matter to you. Volunteer on the campaigns for politicians who take a progressive stand on the rights of refugees and immigrants.
Write an opinion piece or a letter to the editor for your local newspaper about an issue that matters to you!
Hold a workshop in your community, or host a screening of a Lao documentary to raise awareness – and money – to help Lao communities around the world.
Become a mentor! Today’s Lao American youth are the next generation of Lao American activists. Strengthen that generation by being a positive role model for youth, whether it be through tutoring, coaching a sports team, or signing up with a program like Big Brother or Big Sister.
Become a contributor for Lao American magazines! They are always looking for new voices to add to our community. E-mail bryant@laocenter.org for more information.
Start your own blog! That’s what we did!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Training Opportunities for Non-Profits
Non-profit training opportunities that may be of interest for your organizations:
Tues, 1/26, 8:30-12: Board Development - presented by Emil Angelica, Community Consulting Group: Understand the role of the board, its responsibilities, and its obligations in the work of your organization. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 2/2, 8:30-12: Community Alliances - presented by Linda Hoskins and Rebecca Davis, Community Consulting Group: Partnerships can be useful to achieve mutual goals. Learn how, why and when it is wise to work together to address an issue simply and most effectively. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 2/2, 4 to 8:30 pm: Board Chair Training, MAP for Nonprofits (check website for additional options of dates and times) Learn how to maximize the relationship between the board and staff, run a meeting that nets results, learn about fundraising and much more. Cost: $85. Contact Sharon: training@mapfornonprofits.org
Thurs, 2/4, : Communications: Using Metrics to Investigate, Evaluate, and Decide – MCN. Cost: $45-65. Register at: http://www.mncn.org/09NCWSeriesinfo.htm#metrics
Fri, 2/ 5, 10-12 for 2010 Session Line-up w local legislators and 1-4 pm for tour of the State Capitol -- MCN Location: MN State Capitol. Cost: Free, but advance registration is required: http://www.mncn.org/event_policy.htm
Tues, 2/9, 8:30-12: Coping with Cutbacks - presented by Emil Angelica, Community Consulting Group. Change is challenging but these difficult times offer opportunities for every manager to re-think and restructure the work of the organization. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 2/9, 6-8 pm: Board Boot Camp, MAP for Nonprofits (check website for additional options of dates and times) Learn legal considerations, board roles and responsibilities, and how to be an effective trustee Cost: $35. Contact Sharon: training@mapfornonprofits.org
Tues, 2/16, 8:30-12: Fundraising: Research Methods - presented by James V. Toscano, President, Minneapolis Heart Institute: Locate and assess donors that are more closely aligned with your mission and purpose. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 2/23, 8:30-12: Fundraising: Grant Writing - presented by James V. Toscano, President, Minneapolis Heart Institute: What to do and what to avoid as you prepare your proposal, letter of interest, and follow-up communication. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 1/26, 8:30-12: Board Development - presented by Emil Angelica, Community Consulting Group: Understand the role of the board, its responsibilities, and its obligations in the work of your organization. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 2/2, 8:30-12: Community Alliances - presented by Linda Hoskins and Rebecca Davis, Community Consulting Group: Partnerships can be useful to achieve mutual goals. Learn how, why and when it is wise to work together to address an issue simply and most effectively. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 2/2, 4 to 8:30 pm: Board Chair Training, MAP for Nonprofits (check website for additional options of dates and times) Learn how to maximize the relationship between the board and staff, run a meeting that nets results, learn about fundraising and much more. Cost: $85. Contact Sharon: training@mapfornonprofits.org
Thurs, 2/4, : Communications: Using Metrics to Investigate, Evaluate, and Decide – MCN. Cost: $45-65. Register at: http://www.mncn.org/09NCWSeriesinfo.htm#metrics
Fri, 2/ 5, 10-12 for 2010 Session Line-up w local legislators and 1-4 pm for tour of the State Capitol -- MCN Location: MN State Capitol. Cost: Free, but advance registration is required: http://www.mncn.org/event_policy.htm
Tues, 2/9, 8:30-12: Coping with Cutbacks - presented by Emil Angelica, Community Consulting Group. Change is challenging but these difficult times offer opportunities for every manager to re-think and restructure the work of the organization. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 2/9, 6-8 pm: Board Boot Camp, MAP for Nonprofits (check website for additional options of dates and times) Learn legal considerations, board roles and responsibilities, and how to be an effective trustee Cost: $35. Contact Sharon: training@mapfornonprofits.org
Tues, 2/16, 8:30-12: Fundraising: Research Methods - presented by James V. Toscano, President, Minneapolis Heart Institute: Locate and assess donors that are more closely aligned with your mission and purpose. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tues, 2/23, 8:30-12: Fundraising: Grant Writing - presented by James V. Toscano, President, Minneapolis Heart Institute: What to do and what to avoid as you prepare your proposal, letter of interest, and follow-up communication. Location: Hope Presbyterian Church (7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield, MN) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Contact Bridget Ryan at 612-276-1570
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Lao Assistance Center Accomplishments: 2009
Thanks to everyone who helped us this last year! In 2009, the Lao Assistance Center was able to help our community in the following ways:
Elder Access: 360 elders were served as part of our ongoing program to provide key support services to Lao elderly refugees who are 60+ up, many who have not yet become US citizen. Our services ranged from helping the elders to organize and pay bills, connect to benefits, make doctors appointments and housing assistance. We worked to educate elders on good nutrition, effective transport options and issues of physical and mental health.
Chemical Health: Through the Lao Assistance Center's partnership with Northwest Hennepin County Human Services Council and the Southeast Asian Community Council, we made progress with the Southeast Asian Living Chemically Free program, an effort to educate community how to be aware of the harm of using drugs, alcohol and smoking. We've provided group and one-on-one support, workshops, youth activities, parenting support, educational material to train adults and youth how to prevent this and how to help people seek effective treatment.
DTV Conversion Outreach: Over 4,500 Lao and their families were reached during the Digital DTV conversion. We conducted a media campaign and outreach at community festivals as well as on-site assistance to help clients fill out the forms to request a rebate for a free DTV conversion box, and work to install DTV converter boxes and using them effectively. It was a major collaborative effort with national and state grassroots community organizations to ensure that at-risk households could remain connected during this transition.
Community Health Outreach: 750 clients including Lao and Hmong were lived below the federal poverty level were assisted with efforts to obtain health insurance, application screening, application eligibility to ensure insurance coverage for their families. We also continued our Mental Health Project to educate the community on issues of Mental Health in our community and how to deal with this issue .
General Support: This year, the Lao Assistance Center received 18,000 calls requesting general support services. These ranged from the simple to the complex, but the Lao Assistance Center staff worked to ensure that all clients were treated with respect and dignity and connected with the assistance they needed.
Housing Unemployment and Financial Counseling: This year we continued to work to provide house foreclose advice to Lao community and other support related to housing, refinancing loans and purchasing houses. We provided financial literacy education to Lao community members so they will know how to save money, how to budget their expense, how read their bank statements, and build credit among other key skills to build economic self-sufficiency and community capacity.
National Gender Equity Campaign: This year we trained in organizational development, community development from social services to social change and social justice with 48 other individuals representing 12 national organizations.
Problem Gambling Awareness: This year we served 775 clients and community members on Compulsive/Problem Gambling. Our goal was to educate and reach the community on gambling prevention and intervention, find the resource and referral community out for the appropriate treatment
Tobacco Prevention: This year we reached 1,375 community members through our Youth Media Tobacco Training program. We worked with 60 youth leaders to educate their friends and peers about the harm of smoking, to understand and know how tobacco companies target our youth and adults in the Lao community. We also helped 375 Lao adults to quit smoking, although as always, this is an ongoing process.
Voter Education/Civic Engagement: This year, we reached 6,650 Lao on voter education and registration, in an effort to encourage Lao American civic engagement, because their participation in the democratic process is essential to our long-term growth and success as a community.
Elder Access: 360 elders were served as part of our ongoing program to provide key support services to Lao elderly refugees who are 60+ up, many who have not yet become US citizen. Our services ranged from helping the elders to organize and pay bills, connect to benefits, make doctors appointments and housing assistance. We worked to educate elders on good nutrition, effective transport options and issues of physical and mental health.
Chemical Health: Through the Lao Assistance Center's partnership with Northwest Hennepin County Human Services Council and the Southeast Asian Community Council, we made progress with the Southeast Asian Living Chemically Free program, an effort to educate community how to be aware of the harm of using drugs, alcohol and smoking. We've provided group and one-on-one support, workshops, youth activities, parenting support, educational material to train adults and youth how to prevent this and how to help people seek effective treatment.
DTV Conversion Outreach: Over 4,500 Lao and their families were reached during the Digital DTV conversion. We conducted a media campaign and outreach at community festivals as well as on-site assistance to help clients fill out the forms to request a rebate for a free DTV conversion box, and work to install DTV converter boxes and using them effectively. It was a major collaborative effort with national and state grassroots community organizations to ensure that at-risk households could remain connected during this transition.
Community Health Outreach: 750 clients including Lao and Hmong were lived below the federal poverty level were assisted with efforts to obtain health insurance, application screening, application eligibility to ensure insurance coverage for their families. We also continued our Mental Health Project to educate the community on issues of Mental Health in our community and how to deal with this issue .
General Support: This year, the Lao Assistance Center received 18,000 calls requesting general support services. These ranged from the simple to the complex, but the Lao Assistance Center staff worked to ensure that all clients were treated with respect and dignity and connected with the assistance they needed.
Housing Unemployment and Financial Counseling: This year we continued to work to provide house foreclose advice to Lao community and other support related to housing, refinancing loans and purchasing houses. We provided financial literacy education to Lao community members so they will know how to save money, how to budget their expense, how read their bank statements, and build credit among other key skills to build economic self-sufficiency and community capacity.
National Gender Equity Campaign: This year we trained in organizational development, community development from social services to social change and social justice with 48 other individuals representing 12 national organizations.
Problem Gambling Awareness: This year we served 775 clients and community members on Compulsive/Problem Gambling. Our goal was to educate and reach the community on gambling prevention and intervention, find the resource and referral community out for the appropriate treatment
Tobacco Prevention: This year we reached 1,375 community members through our Youth Media Tobacco Training program. We worked with 60 youth leaders to educate their friends and peers about the harm of smoking, to understand and know how tobacco companies target our youth and adults in the Lao community. We also helped 375 Lao adults to quit smoking, although as always, this is an ongoing process.
Voter Education/Civic Engagement: This year, we reached 6,650 Lao on voter education and registration, in an effort to encourage Lao American civic engagement, because their participation in the democratic process is essential to our long-term growth and success as a community.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
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.
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