• Mission Statement
• Goals
• History
• Accomplishments
• Current Activities
• Future Activities
• Successes & Challenges
• Partnering and Funding Source

Mission Statement

The Lao American Coalition is dedicated to advance the Lao American community’s social and economic standing through civic participation and public policy advocacy.

Goals

To fulfill the stated mission, Lao American Coalition has established the following goals:

• Preserve cultural heritage in Language, Arts and Cultures
• Promote civic participation, education, and leadership
• Develop a new generation of non-profit, public sector, and corporate leaders
• Support business development and opportunities
• Promoting health and safety
• Advance coalitions and community building
• Support for Laotian Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Organizations

History

The Lao American Coalition was organized on September 12, 2010 by Laotian American professionals who wanted to advance the Lao American community’s social and economic standing through civic participation and public policy advocacy. In support of the Lao American Coalition are the Lao San Diego Soccer Club (LSDSC) and Lao Parent-student-Teacher Association (Lao PSTA).

Accomplishments

1. Participated and planned the 5th annual Arts & Cultural Fest with the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Intervention (JCNI) held on October 16, 2010.
2. Participated and planned Asian & Pacific American Coalition Town Hall Gala held on October 16, 2010 to support the proposed creation of a new 9th City Council District in San Diego City.
3. Participated in Katong arts & crafts project for a community and religious ceremony at Wat Lao Buddharam of San Diego held on October 23, 2010.
4. Engaged in first fundraising for Lao American Coalition held at Goody’s restaurant on October 18, 2010.
5. Attended community meetings to advocate against the proposed closure of the model Multicultural Center serving Southeast Asian and African communities due to the dire budgetary crisis facing the City of San Diego.

Current Activities

1. San Diego City redistricting commission hearings to support the proposed creation of a new 9th City Council District in San Diego City.
2. Health project to research health disparities among Asian Pacific Islander communities (API Community Health Network).
3. Cultural Village Planning with JCNI.
4. Learning partnership for Community Arts Center with JCNI.
5. Lao language school with 35 students and 7 volunteer teachers, a partnership with Lao PSTA.
6. Sports activity with LSDSC.

Future Activities

1. San Diego City redistricting commission hearings to support the proposed creation of a new 9th City Council District in San Diego City.
2. Health fair – March 12, 2011 at Wat Lao Market Temple
3. API Health Fair – June 4, 2011
4. Community Cultural Center for Arts – June 16, 2011
5. Cultural dance program
6. Lao business directory
7. Lao New Year 2554 – April 16, 2011

Successes & Challenges

Our ability to galvanize the civic minded Lao Americans to work together for a common purpose in improving the social and economic standing of the Lao Community, and preservation of language, arts and cultures. Our challenges are to unite the entire Lao community members and organizations to support our mission and goals for the benefit of Lao American community.

Partnering and Funding Sources

• JCNI
• Operation Samahan
• Lao PSTA
• LSDSC
• Fundraisings: Individuals and Businesses