Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Lao New Year Committee Needs Volunteers
The 2556 Lao New Year Planning Committee is looking for volunteers for the Lao New Year on Saturday, April 13th, at the Crystal Community Center. If you or someone you know would like to help, please contact the committee through the Lao Assistance Center staff who will connect you to the organizers.
Kaphet Koracan funeral to be held Saturday, March, 9th.
Kaphet Koracan, long-time board member of the Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota passed away on March 2nd. Over the years she served in many ways to the organization, including as the president of the Lao Assistance Center board of directors.
The funeral for Kaphet Koracan will be held on Saturday, March 9th at the Crystal Lake Chapel and Cemetary at 3816 Penn Ave N, in Minneapolis. The service will be from 12:30 pm to 3pm. Her family thanks everyone for your support and appreciates your condolences.
The funeral for Kaphet Koracan will be held on Saturday, March 9th at the Crystal Lake Chapel and Cemetary at 3816 Penn Ave N, in Minneapolis. The service will be from 12:30 pm to 3pm. Her family thanks everyone for your support and appreciates your condolences.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Lao Minnesotan Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao keynote speaker at Laotian American Community of Fresno Banquet
Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao will be the Keynote Speaker for the Laotian American Community of Fresno Banquet on March 9, 2013 at the Clovis Senior Center. She'll be speaking on the journey of Lao Americans in education, civic engagement and the role of parents and elders in building the future with our youth.
The Laotian-American Community of Fresno was founded in 2000 by concerned Laotian community members as a source of mentorship, guidance, and support for community members and their families as new lives were being established in the United States. They are the only Lao-run nonprofit in the Fresno area, and their mission is to promote and preserve Lao cultural heritage and traditions through traditional Lao dance classes and Lao literacy classes, and also to empower and encourage Lao youth to pursue college educations. In 2013, a grant from ACTA's Living Cultures Grants Program will support an ongoing program of traditional Lao dance instruction designed to preserve and promote cultural transmission to Lao-American youth. The classes taught by culture-bearers will concentrate on five dances which range from the popular ritualistic dance of welcome to dances depicting the enlightenment of Buddha.
Dr. Kouanchao currently serves as the director of EOPS/CARE programs at Mt. San Jacinto Community College. She received her doctorate degree from California State University- Fullerton in Educational Leadership Administration focusing on Community College. She received her Master’s Degree in Education and her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Public Health and East Asian Studies from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Kouanchao was born in Laos and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She has over 15 years of experience as a university and community college administrator including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She works nationally on issues of cross-cultural leadership, women’s leadership and transformative leadership development – especially in communities of color and addressing federal and state-funded programs and connections with the non-profit sector.
She enjoys helping all students to discover their own unique leadership style so they can share their success with others and help everyone reach their full leadership potential. She is a regular columnist for the Twin Cities Daily Planet and Little Laos on the Prairie.
The Laotian-American Community of Fresno was founded in 2000 by concerned Laotian community members as a source of mentorship, guidance, and support for community members and their families as new lives were being established in the United States. They are the only Lao-run nonprofit in the Fresno area, and their mission is to promote and preserve Lao cultural heritage and traditions through traditional Lao dance classes and Lao literacy classes, and also to empower and encourage Lao youth to pursue college educations. In 2013, a grant from ACTA's Living Cultures Grants Program will support an ongoing program of traditional Lao dance instruction designed to preserve and promote cultural transmission to Lao-American youth. The classes taught by culture-bearers will concentrate on five dances which range from the popular ritualistic dance of welcome to dances depicting the enlightenment of Buddha.
Dr. Kouanchao currently serves as the director of EOPS/CARE programs at Mt. San Jacinto Community College. She received her doctorate degree from California State University- Fullerton in Educational Leadership Administration focusing on Community College. She received her Master’s Degree in Education and her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Public Health and East Asian Studies from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Kouanchao was born in Laos and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She has over 15 years of experience as a university and community college administrator including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She works nationally on issues of cross-cultural leadership, women’s leadership and transformative leadership development – especially in communities of color and addressing federal and state-funded programs and connections with the non-profit sector.
She enjoys helping all students to discover their own unique leadership style so they can share their success with others and help everyone reach their full leadership potential. She is a regular columnist for the Twin Cities Daily Planet and Little Laos on the Prairie.
Lao American Storytellers Festival Schedule
On February 21st-22nd, the Lao Assistance Center will be presenting the first Lao American Storytellers Festival at the Harrison Neighborhood Center at 503 Irving Avenue N. in Minneapolis, MN.
The festival will include formal presentations of traditional folk tales, oral histories, worship sessions and cultural exhibits from 1pm to 3pm each day.
Thursday, February 21
10 AM
Sunny Chanthanouvong: 30 Years, A Community of Stories
11 AM
Chanida Phaengdara: Little Laos on the Prairie Review
12 PM
David Zander: Discovering our Stories
1 PM
Saymoukda Vongsay: No Regrets 5th Anniversary Reading
2 PM
Sue Veerasaeng: Lao Minnesotan Journeys. Documentary and Discovery
Friday, February 22
10 AM
Bryan Thao Worra: Beyond the Other Side of the Eye
11 AM
Phouthakannha Nantharath: Elder Voices, Youth Visions
1 PM
Chay Douangphouxay's Remission: Finding Light in the Midst of Social Darkness.
2 PM
Komany Saopathong: Speaking Memories of Secret Histories
This activity was made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Region Arts Council, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
The Lao American Storytellers Festival is a key outcome of a year-long intensive apprenticeship program of the Lao Assistance Center to encourage the next generation of Lao American storytellers. This is the first year such a program has been implemented.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Lao Storytelling Festival to begin
Check out our Lao Storytelling Festival starting this week from Thursday through Saturday from 10-2pm at LACM. Learn about Lao stories, folklore and more. See you there!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Lao American Storyteller Festival coming to Minneapolis
On February 21st-23rd, the Lao Assistance Center will be presenting the Lao American Storytellers Festival at the Harrison Neighborhood Center at 503 Irving Avenue N. in Minneapolis, MN. The festival will include formal presentations of traditional folk tales, oral histories, worship sessions and cultural exhibits from 1pm to 4pm each day. Free and open to the public. Further schedule details will be announced on the Lao Assistance website (www.laocenter.org) and social media such as twitter: @laocenterMN.
Among the guest presenters will by Lao Minnesotan Storyteller Fellows Saymoukda Vongsay, Phouthakannha Nantharath, Sue Veerasaeng, Saphaothong Komany, and David Zander. The festival will also be presented in conjunction with Bryan Thao Worra's summit, Beyond the Other Side of the Eye: Discussions in Southeast Asian Futurism.
This activity was made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Region Arts Council, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
In the United States there are approximately 200,000 Lao with the largest populations residing in California, Texas, and Minnesota. Minnesota has the 3rd largest Lao refugee population in the US with 12,000 to 25,000 residents. There are still many gains to be achieved in both education and the arts. Many members of the community expressed concerns regarding the preservation and transmission of traditional culture to the youth.
The Lao American Storytellers Festival is a key outcome of a year-long intensive apprenticeship program of the Lao Assistance Center to encourage the next generation of Lao American storytellers. This is the first year such a program has been implemented.
Among the guest presenters will by Lao Minnesotan Storyteller Fellows Saymoukda Vongsay, Phouthakannha Nantharath, Sue Veerasaeng, Saphaothong Komany, and David Zander. The festival will also be presented in conjunction with Bryan Thao Worra's summit, Beyond the Other Side of the Eye: Discussions in Southeast Asian Futurism.
This activity was made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Region Arts Council, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
In the United States there are approximately 200,000 Lao with the largest populations residing in California, Texas, and Minnesota. Minnesota has the 3rd largest Lao refugee population in the US with 12,000 to 25,000 residents. There are still many gains to be achieved in both education and the arts. Many members of the community expressed concerns regarding the preservation and transmission of traditional culture to the youth.
The Lao American Storytellers Festival is a key outcome of a year-long intensive apprenticeship program of the Lao Assistance Center to encourage the next generation of Lao American storytellers. This is the first year such a program has been implemented.
Friday, January 11, 2013
2nd Quarter Lao Assistance Center Computer Literacy Program Schedule Announced
Based on current community response the following training dates have been announced for the second quarter of the Lao Assistance Center Computer Literacy Program. Phouthakannha Nantharath is the lead director of the Computer Literacy Program. To get involved, please call the Lao Assistance Center at: (612) 374-4967 or sunny@laocenter.org
Trainings will continue to be offered on the following schedule based on demand:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays:
Basic Skills Training. 9AM, 1PM and 4PM.
Tuesdays and Thursdays:
Intermediate Skills Training. 9AM, 1PM and 4PM.
Trainings are held at our location at 503 Irving Avenue N. in Minneapolis. Workstations are limited, so please remember to RSVP to hold your slot for classes.
The Lao Assistance Center program was funded last year by Wells Fargo to purchase and upgrade new equipment to help the organization carry out training and education programs to stabilize our community workforce.
If you would like to get involved with the Lao Assistance Center as a sponsor or employer, please contact sunny@laocenter.org.
Trainings will continue to be offered on the following schedule based on demand:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays:
Basic Skills Training. 9AM, 1PM and 4PM.
Tuesdays and Thursdays:
Intermediate Skills Training. 9AM, 1PM and 4PM.
The Lao Assistance Center program was funded last year by Wells Fargo to purchase and upgrade new equipment to help the organization carry out training and education programs to stabilize our community workforce.
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:
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 eldersPhouthakannha Nantharath, director of the program said: "Our community needs to be empowered with current skills in computer literacy if we want to be eligible for the best jobs and opportunities. Thank you to Wells Fargo, who provided us significant support for our Computer Literacy Program. I am happy to see our community is doing well and responding positively to the program."
If you would like to get involved with the Lao Assistance Center as a sponsor or employer, please contact sunny@laocenter.org.
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