IU MIEN COMMUNITY SERVICES

THE HEALTHY VILLAGE SENIOR GROUP PROGRAM IS A CRUCIAL MEANS OF CONVEYING MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER HEALTH-RELATED CONCERNS, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO THE UNDERSERVED IU MIEN COMMUNITY BETWEEN THE AGES OF EARLY 40'S TO LATE 80'S. IT ALLOWS PARTICIPANTS TO SHARE STORIES, CURRENT EVENTS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AS WELL AS LEARN FROM RESOURCE PROVIDERS REGARDING TOPICS SUCH AS MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASE, NUTRITION, FOOD SAFETY, AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. DURING 2023, THE SENIOR GROUP HOSTED THE ANNUAL SENIOR LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, WHICH CELEBRATES IU MIEN'S CULTURE, HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY SPRIRT. THE EVENT ATTRACED OVER 200 ATTENDEES. WE ALSO HOSTED MULTIPLE FLU VACCINE/COVID-19 BOOSTER CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IN ADDITION, THE "HELP ME CARDS" PROGRAM WAS CREATED FOR SENIORS TO USE IN EMERGENCIES. THESE PROVIDE A SIMPLE TOOL FOR PARTICIPANTS TO COMMUNICATE NEEDS AND ACCESS ASSISTANCE, WHICH ENHANCES SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE.ALSO DELIVERED TURKEYS TO OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND ENSURE THAT SENIORS HAD A JOYFUL THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION.

OUR S.A.E. MIEN YOUTH CLUB IS A WEEKLY PEER-RUN YOUTH PROGRAM THAT OFFERS A SAFE AND FUN ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH TO SOCIALIZE WITH THEIR PEERS THROUGH POSITIVE ACTIVITIES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE IU-MIEN AND OTHER CULTURES AND THEIR COMMUNITY, IDENTIFY HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY SIGNS OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL SKILLS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A PAINT NIGHT, MOVIE NIGHT, GAME NIGHT, STRESS RELIEF/SELF-CARE STRATEGIES, LEADERSHIP/TEAM BUILDING WORKSHOPS, SOCIALIZATION,COMMUNITY AWARENESS, CULTURAL AWARENESS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.DURING 2023, ACTIVITIES ALSO INCLUDED A SUMMER BBQ PICNIC, BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT EVENT TO PROVIDE FREE BACKPACKS TO STUDENTS IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATIONAL READINESS, A FALL FUN NIGHT TO CREATE A SAFE AND ENGAGING SPACE FOR YOUTH TO ENJOY SEASONAL ACTIVITIES AND CONNECT WITH PEERS AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BONDS. WE ALSO HOSTED A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR YOUTH IN ORDER TO BRING THE YOUTH TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A WARM MEAL, FESTIVE ACTIVITIES AND A SPIRIT OF TOGETHERNESS.WE ALSO LAUNCHED A "LEARN MIEN WORKSHOP" EVERY MONTH. THIS IS AIMED AT TEACHING YOUTH THE MIEN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS. THIS INITIATIVE PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PRESERVING THE IU MIEN CULTURE AND FOSTERING A DEEPER CONNECTION AMOUNG YOUNG MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO THEIR HERITAGE.THE IU MIEN STUDENT CONFERENCE HAS A THREE-FOLD MISSION: TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AND/OR EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES; EDUCATE YOUTH ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING ETHNIC CULTURE; AND INSPIRE YOUTH TO BECOME COMMUNITY LEADERS. THIS YEAR THERE WERE 230 STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE, 30 VOLUNTEERS AND 20 CAREER PANELISTS.WE SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAINED A CONSISTENT YOUTH PROGRAM, PROVIDING VITAL SERVICES AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH IN THE IU MIEN COMMUNITY. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE STRENGTHENED CULTURAL IDENTITY, SUPPORTED PERSONAL GROWTH AND ENCOURAGED LEADERSHIP SKILLS AMONG PARTICIPANTS.