Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
Civic & Social OrganizationMinnesota, United States11-50 Employees
The Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota is a civic and social organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Established by ethnic Lao in 1983, the center focuses on improving the quality of life for Lao families in the state by developing programs and services that respond to community-identified needs and support families and children while preserving cultural heritage. Its work targets at-risk and low- to moderate-income households through five interconnected programs—Youth Advancement, Elder Empowerment, Adult Stability, Health Outreach: Prevention Education, and Cultural Engagement—aimed at increasing self-reliance, reducing social isolation, and promoting cultural equity amid challenges such as unemployment, substance and gambling concerns, and generational divides. The organization serves the Lao population in Minnesota, which is one of the largest Lao communities in the United States, and operates within the broader civic and social services sector. A notable recent development is the center receiving a $50,000 grant from the Joyce Foundation to fund an exhibition intended to raise awareness and stimulate conversation about Lao heritage and issues.