The MinnPost recently had an article addressing why gambling is a problem in the Lao community. We recently became part of a research initiative, funded by Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance (NPGA) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The program examines gambling addiction in the community and provides support services to affected individuals and their family. For more information please visit the Lao Assistance Center.
Staff Member
He started at the Lao Center in 2008 as a Chemical Health Outreach worker. Than in 2009, he started to work more with the home ownership services at the Lao Center. He has a NCHEC Certification in Homeownership and in Foreclosure Intervention and Default Counseling. He worked mostly with prospective first time homebuyers and also with Civic Engagement. He also works with Community Power recycling efforts.
Email: pany@laocenter.org
Health Project Coordinator
Vilamone Tran is Lao Center’s Health Project Coordinator. She Leads and manages the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. She designs, direct, and provide education to program participants and coordinate & lead health events in a culturally appropriate setting and language. Tran enjoys working with the community.
Fun Facts About Me:
Most of my family & friends call me “Mama Noy.” I have accepted the fact that this nick name will forever be with me. I know a name says a lot about a person, but don’t let my nick name fool you! I’d like to think that I am not that old or grey. I am an active mother of 2. I still enjoy dancing and hanging out with friends every chance I get. I am also a travel ball mom, which means I am constantly on the go- several nights a week, weekends, and holidays.
Email: vilamone@laocenter.org
Staff Member
Chongchith Saengsudham has been with the Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota for 12 years. Her main focus at the Lao Center is public health and health services. She runs many different programs. Chongchith is the Breast and Cervical Cancer Outreach Educator and also the program manager of different programs such as CHIPRA, Health Prevention & Education, Leader National Gender & Equity Campaign, MNSure Navigator, Civic Engagement, General Support, and more. She is certified to provide interpreting and translating services, cultural and linguistic support and unemployment services.
Email: chongchith@laocenter.org
HOUSING |
Provides the services to help out the community for the housing, loan modification, pre purchase, home rental, apartment, public housing, buying a new home |
VOTE |
Community go out to vote, and vote education |
TRANSIT |
Community development and engage community about the county building the transit |
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT |
Community dialogue with the city staff, county staff, and sheriff department, |
GARDENING |
Community gardening to support the friendship and healthy eating and mental health issue |
RECYCLING |
Provide the services to Lao community know to do recycling in the proper way |
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT |
Provide the leadership training to the young professional and to set them up to be appoint of the commission in the city, country and state official commission, also for the community base organization board of director. |
EMPLOYMENT |
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ELDERLY |
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ELDERLY EMPOWERMENT |
Helping elderly to remain independent and involved with the community |
ADVANCEMENT |
Provides leadership development, support cultural development and academic support with activities to youth |
LEADERSHIP |
Helps to encourage and train Lao youth in key life skills to pursue academic, professional and community goals |
ACADEMICS |
Helps assist youth to ensure academic achievement and provide support with college-prep skills |
EXPRESSION |
Assisting Lao youth with opportunities to interact through the arts: dance, literature, visual art, theatre and multimedia |
EDHI |
Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative – Immunization and vaccines, follow up |
MSHO |
Minnesota Senior Health Options – assisting elders with enrolling in insurance programs |
TOBACCO |
Minnesota Senior Health Options – assisting elders with enrolling in insurance programs |
HEPATITIS |
Provide education, screening, vaccination, and linkage to care with Hepatitis |
MNSure |
Maintain service to help people apply for the program |
GAMBLING |
Provide education, screening, vaccination, and linkage to care with Hepatitis |
CAPI |
The Center for Asian and Pacific Islanders – Assist immigrant children and adults in becoming fully immunized and up to date with immunizations |
CHIP |
Children’s Health Insurance Programs – Help people apply to provide health insurance to uninsured children |
CHEMICAL HEALTH |
Providing alcohol, tobacco and narcotics prevention education |
BREAST CANCER |
Helping to ensure Lao women have access to mammogram screening related health care |
Staff Member
Todd Littana started with the Lao Assistance Center of MN on August 30th 1994. He has earned approximately 30-40 certifications as well as new upcoming certifications. His primary role at LACM is employment. What he focuses on is job seeking and applying for unemployment. He also works with social services and outreach. Recently, Todd also became the head of the Lao Youth Program at the Lao Assistance Center and works with the youth on topics of leadership, culture, and more.
Email: todd@laocenter.org
Staff Member
Phouninh Vinxayvong has been partnered with the Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota since 1994. Initially, she was working with the Lao Women’s Association and shared office space with the Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota. She than joined the Lao Center staff team in 2009 as an employee than started volunteering in 2011. She started as a Chemical Health Coordinator but also does many things. She deals with any social service issues that are immigration and citizenship based. She has certifications with Chemical Health and she obtained a degree in Chemical Dependency from Metro U. She is a certified counselor for Chemical Dependency for 7 metro county areas. Mrs. Phouninh also teaches Lao Traditional Dancing.
Email: phouninh@laocenter.org
Staff Member
Geng Vang is an employee of Hennipen County that is with the Lao Center as a core location space to work with the Lao Community. He has been familiar with the Lao Center for approximately 3 years now. He helps the Lao Community navigate the county systems. He works as a case manager with the Department Office of Multicultural Services with Hennepin County. He also speaks 5 languages: Hmong, Laotian, Thai, French and English. He works to assist those of the Hmong and Lao community members.
Email: geng@laocenter.org
Executive Director
Sunny Chanthanouvong is the Executive Director and has been with the Lao Center since 1992. When he started working here he ran the youth program. In 2001, he was promoted to the Executive Director position. Ever since than he has worked to maintain and run the organization as a whole, from administration to day-to-day operations. He oversees all of the programs that the Lao Center has to offer and is certified in many different fields.
Email: sunny@laocenter.org
Staff Member
Linda Homsombath is a housing and employment coordinator and she also does work with Civic engagement. She runs many different programs at the Lao Center. She is a certified housing counselor, which includes home buying, foreclosure, rental, and home ownership. For employment, she helps with resume building, career building, training, connecting with employers and other stuff and is related with employment such as job search.
Email: linda@laocenter.org
