Spotlight

Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM)

History:

The Karen Organization of Minnesota’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for Karen and other refugees from Burma in Minnesota. Originally under the leadership of Karen Community of Minnesota, the organization operated as a voluntary association while participating in a strategic planning process and technical assistance grant sponsored by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. KOM was founded in 2007, and in 2008, months after securing 501(c)(3) status, the organization was awarded three state and federal grants that allowed them to rapidly grow in terms of staff and services provided.

There are currently about 6,500 Karen people living in Twin Cities, Minnesota with an additional estimated 500 refugees from other ethnic groups in Burma. In 2011 over 1,000 clients benefited from one or more of KOM’s offered programs which include resettlement, employment, health, agriculture training, self-help workshops such as ESL, financial literacy, and women’s empowerment.

Organizational Successes and Challenges:

Employment may be one of the greatest challenges faced by the Karen community in Minnesota, but is also KOM’s most successful program. Securing a job as soon as possible after arriving in the United States is essential for the overall well being of the Karen community. However, many Karen refugees face barriers to employment including a lack of work history, limited English proficiency, unfamiliarity with American hiring practices and job expectations, and in some cases, physical or mental issues that limit their ability to perform certain tasks.

KOM’s comprehensive and intensive employment and job readiness program has one of the highest success rates of job placement of any RES-funded agency. Despite high unemployment rates, KOM has managed to exceed government contract expectations two years in a row. Their high success can be explained by a several factors. Not only do KOM’s employment counselors assist refugees with applying for jobs and understanding American employment laws and workplace culture, but also KOM continuously establishes working relationships with employers in Twin Cities and communities in Greater Minnesota and Iowa. As a result, over 150 Karen benefit from the job readiness, placement and retention support services each year, with an approximate 50% job placement rate into positions paying an average hourly wage of $9.87.

Building Partnerships:

One of the main roles of Chong Vang, KOM Executive Director, is to serve as the primary liaison to KOM’s community partners and continue to build sustainable partnerships that advance the organization’s mission.  For example, KOM was able to offer training in agriculture practices specific for growing and marketing food in Minnesota through the World Relief Minnesota and Minnesota Food Association.  KOM also hosted a workshop led by the Vietnamese Social Services to educate the Karen and other refugees from Burma about breast and cervical cancer. Thanks to other notable partnerships with the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Wells Fargo Bank, and the St. Paul and Roseville Police Department for example, clients now have access to cultural orientations, financial literacy training, and law enforcement workshops. Building partnerships with Twin Cities-based organizations and institutions who can donate financial and human resources has ultimately allowed KOM to offer more services and increase the number of clients reached.

Community Impact:

One of the very first Karen-led 501(c)(3) social service agencies in the country, KOM is deeply rooted in the Karen community and is highly respected among all refugees from Burma. Half of the Board of Directors are refugees from Burma and 77 percent of staff are Karen, and both are playing an active role in the organization’s life. Understanding the needs of Karen refugees, KOM regularly seeks input from Karen community leaders, Board of Directors, and staff to most effectively respond to the greatest needs of the Karen community. In addition, KOM’s convenient location in the heart of the Karen community in Saint Paul, enabled KOM to be the “go-to” destination for refugees from Burma.

Chong Vang reflects on his most memorable moment as an Executive Director of KOM: “When the State of Minnesota shut down for 21 days and most agencies closed their doors and put staff on leave, KOM was able to keep its doors open and continued providing services to the most vulnerable people in the Twin Cities,” says Chong. “The hard work that had been done by the Board and the staff to broaden KOM’s resources made it possible for us keep our services and staff continued during the state shutdown. That was a moment when I was very proud to be a part of such an organization. It was an evident indication to the Karen community that KOM is here for them.”