Karen Organization of Minnesota

Description

Refugees from Burma, mostly from the Karen ethnic group, have been the largest group arriving in the United States for the past 7 years. After fleeing their home country and spending years in refugee camps, Karen people are eager to start their new lives here and build a better future for their children. More than 9,000 Karen and other refugees from Burma now live in St. Paul and its surrounding area, making it the largest Karen community in the country. Offering a wide variety of services in the heart of the Karen community in St. Paul, KOM has quickly become the "go-to" location for refugees from Burma to receive help from staff who share their language and culture. KOM serves over 1,500 refugees from Burma each year in one or more of its core programs: Employment Services, Social Services, Community Health, and Youth Academic and Social Support. In addition, hundreds of refugees come to KOM each month for assistance with various needs that aren’t covered by existing programs, such as reading mail, filling out paperwork, and advocating for their legal rights. Without this support, many refugees would be at risk of losing their jobs, housing, or other resources that give their family stability as they adjust to life in America. TA BLUT DOE MAH (thank you so much) for your support!