The Hmong American Center celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Wisconsin’s Wood County Sunday, reports WEAU.
Wisconsin has the third-largest population of Hmong Americans in the country, behind only California and Minnesota.
The Center’s new office also symbolizes the growing influence of Hmong Americans in the state.
Rep. Scott Krug and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes joined the celebrants at Sunday’s festivities.
“We want all of our leaders to understand the cultural contributions that the Hmong community to the entire state of Wisconsin,” said Barnes. “I’m excited to be here today with you, but even more excited about continuing this journey with you all.”
This is the second office opened by the Center. The first is located some 50 miles away in Wassau and will provide educational opportunities and financial support systems.
The Center came about when local Hmong Americans in the area expressed a need for services.
“For members of the southeast Asian community transportation is already a big issue,” Yee Leng Xiong, Executive Director of the Hmong American Center said to WAOW . “So having a location in near the Wood County area members of the Southeast Asian community in the Wood County can basically be able to access it, be able to approach it, come to it within minutes.”
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