Here are just a few organizations that students from Johnson High School come in contact with. By getting to know these organizations, you'll find lots of other connections to other groups. Enjoy!
Lao Family of Minnesota's tagline reads: "a focal point of self-help and support for the Hmong and other refugees and immigrant groups in Minnesota for over 30 years. Translations, tax services, computers labs and printers for high school students, and English classes are popular programs. I have volunteered at this organization with the adult English classes and the daycare center for the kids while the parents are in class. Because Lao family focuses on all refugees, there are several other languages being spoken besides Hmong and English. I got to know women who spoken Karen and Spanish from a variety of countries. However, Lao Family is still a Hmong-centric organization. It was founded by Hmong refugees in the first wave of immigration, and is still run by mostly Hmong people, I believe. This organization started the first 4th of July soccer tournament, which has grown to be one of the largest celebrations of Hmong culture in the US, maybe in the world.
Hmong American Partnership established itself as an all-around community service organization. Elder services, language learning, job searches, and youth programs and more all happen here. Their building on the East side is at 1075 Arcade Street, lies just south of Johnson High School. Two other locations, one on University Ave and one in North Minneapolis, also serve the community. The organization looks for other organizations to connect with. The HAP often hosts Johnson students and their families. I've been to a break dancing competition held at HAP and students who are seniors have often volunteered at the organization for their senior project. The HAP also publishes Hmoob Teen.
Hmoob Teen magazine is published by Hmong teens, for Hmong teens. "Hmoob" is the Hmong spelling of "Hmong" and the magazine focuses on the two words in its title: issues that people who are both Hmong and under 20 care about. Hmoob Teen has contributors from across the country. Johnson High School keeps several issues in the library. Contact Hmoob teen for issues that you can place in your classroom.
JustHmong.com barely celebrated its one year birthday, (July 2009) and it's topping out at almost 7,000 members. If you're familiar with facebook, it has a very similar layout. Some discussions are public, and not connected with groups of friends. Hmong people from all over ask questions and answer discussions like "Hmong New Year: Celebration of Culture or Capitalism?" "Hmoob hate Hmoob crime" and "Why is it a disgrace to date other races?" Mostly young people are on this site, and I'm guessing more second (or third) generation folks are using it.
The Hmong Cultural Center houses one of the world's largest collections of thesises and dissertations concerning the Hmong people. Full-time librarians work to organize and maintain the collection. Because the collection does not circulate, there is a copy machine on location, with a five cent per page charge. All of the publications can be copied. The organization receives grants and funding through their ELL classes and their citizenship classes. Traditional dance and musical groups also gather here.
Hmong ABC claims to be the first Hmong bookstore. Located on University Ave, the store sells not only books but also traditional clothing. Above the bookstore, an extensive collection of artifacts show the Minnesota Hmong experience.You can pick up books like Bamboo Among The Oaks, cookbooks, or childrens books written in both Hmong and English.
Several churches in the St. Paul area are run by Hmong people and focus on ministry to Hmong families. St. Paul Hmong Alliance Church is one good example of this, with VBS, father/son camping, and a youth program which several Johnson students attend.
The Girl Scouts of Minnesota have several groups for high-school aged girls that are divided by racial group. The Hmong Women's Circle meets every week during a different hour of the school day to practice the language, discuss current issues, and bounce ideas off each other about merging two cultures into one body.
Hmongtown Marktplace happens to be a great place to be a Hmong business person. If you're not Hmong, it happens to be one of the most accessible places to learn about the Hmong culture with a fun teacher--food. You could also learn about the Hmong culture at the other stalls that sell things like Korean DVDs dubbed in Hmong, which do provide a lot of drama, if that's what you're looking for. I'd still go with the food. Bubble tea, sticky rice, pork belly and a spicy dipping sauce makes up my favorite meal. Read a review from the Heavy Table here.
Hmong Times reaches the adult audience that Hmoob Teen doesn't. Published in St. Paul, it provides information on the Hmong community, and is supported at least in part by advertisements from mostly Hmong businesses.
Don't forget the Hmong Minnesota Professionals Building, especially Vang Dental Clinic. This clinic rents space from a Hmong-centric organization, and serves the area of Frogtown. I go to get my teeth cleaned her myself. This building and clinic thrive in a neighborhood at the east end of University where Asian businesses line the streets. Happy exploring!
