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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOshkosh Lao/Hmong Association, Inc AGREEMENT The City of Oshkosh, herein referred to as the CITY, and the Oshkosh Lao/Hmong Association Inc. , herein referred to as the ASSOCIATION, agree as follows : 1. The City shall : A. Provide funding of $15,000 to the Association for the purpose of personnel and office expenses for the 9-month period between June 1 , 1986 and February 28, 1987. (1) Funding for the period of June 1 , 1986 to February 28, 1987 shall be paid with the 1986-87 allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds. Should said Community Development Block Grant funds not be received by the City or should the Federal Housing and Urban Development Department determine this activity or the sub-recipient to be ineligible for funding, this Agreement shall be null and void. (2) Beginning June 1 , 1986, funds are to be released monthly upon receipt of proper invoice. B. Seek to encourage other agencies and private organizations to donate and/or coordinate their respective services with the Oshkosh Lao/Ilmong Association's Mutual Assistance Center. 2. The Association shall : A. Develop and implement programs to enhance the economic self- sufficiency of refugees living in Oshkosh and to assist in the • assimilation of the refugees into the community. (1) Said programming shall be in accordance with the objectives outlined in the Association' s proposal to the City. (See Appendix A) B. Provide the City with an operating budget for the time period of this Agreement, and quarterly financial statements. C. Provide a copy of its annual audited financial statement. D. Provide quarterly, an assessment to be made internally by the Association, determining if the Mutual Assistance Center is accomplishing its objectives. A comparison will be made between the Mutual Assistance Center' s achievements and its proposed objectives as stated in the Association' s proposal. A statement of evaluation will be sent to the City within thirty (30) days following the completion of a quarter outlining how the projected program achievements compare to actual achievements (i.e. number of people served). E. Agrees to and does hereby hold the City harmless and does hereby indemnify the City against any claims or demands of any person arising by reason of the Association' s operation of the Mutual Assistance Center or any of said services to be offered. F. Require that any claims arriving from said operations shall be handled by the Association or its insurance carrier and said parties shall defend the City in any litigation arising from such claims , and pay any judgements obtained in any such litigation. 3. Whenever either the City or the Asosciation are unable to meet their full responsibility under the terms of this Agreement, adjustments to this Agreement may be mutually agreed upon with the written amendments attached to the original Agreement. Page Two 4. Funds to be provided by the City are received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Association further agrees to provide and maintain any and all documents required by the Federal regulations, and at the request of the City, shall make the documents available for monitoring. 5. Should it be determined by the City that the Asosciation is not performing in accordance with this Agreement and the applicable Department of Housing and Community Development regulations , the City at its discretion can terminate this Agreement, and recover funds allocated under this Agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereunto set their hands and seals , as of this // day off2r-j 1 , 1986. WITNE OSHKOSH LAO/HMONG ASSOCI ION, INC. /a i BY: ONG LAI LOR, PRESIDENT ;. BY: 9/, Gt v, ..-,e)AO THAO, CRETARY WITNESS: CITY OF OOHKOSH A rt A A'V 1 a ,,'N ( ,/)\\ Ct _,(,. 1". BY: 4/di,L„,e(111,4,&(.,1 I' ---,) ///7 i WILLIAM D. FRUEH, CITY MANAGER L4NAG?'sR \..ti cr BY: ,I�iZ-71'I A. L. .. c}v DONNA C. SERWAS, CITY CLERK APPR VED AS TO FORM: • c i- f \JW RARA RE ' 'RAFT ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY APPROVED AS TO FUNDING AVAILABILITY: >�ll� C i.tI t1 / ,,, vz,_ EDWARD A. NOKES FINANCE DIRECTOR APPENDIX A A PROJECT PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A BILINGUAL REFUGEE OUTREACH PROGRAM SUBMITTED TO: The Human Services Subcommittee Citizens Advisory Committee City of Oshkosh 215 Church Avenue BY THE: Oshkosh Lao/H'mong Association, Incorporated 324 Washington Avenue Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 TOTAL REQUEST: $20,000 Prepared & Submitted: November 8, 1985 CRHI4J5H LAO/H'lbD G ASSOCIATIQ'1 BILINGUAL QlrRFACH PRAM &W NW The Oshkosh Lao H'rmng Association requests $20,000 in CMG Funding to provide service to low-and moderate income refugees living in Oshkosh. Services include; information, referral , interpretation, counseling, advocacy, linkage with resources and outreach. Other objectives include; organizational development, community education and development/refinement of services to refugees. This CDBG funced project is closely linked to employment and training programming which in combination, provides the best avenue to economic self-sufficiency and full participation in the community. INTRODUCTION and UPDATE The Oshkosh Lao/H'rrcng Association was first formed in November of 1983 to provide assistance to Southeast Asian refugees. During the past two years, Carmunity Development Block Grant Funds have provided very critical support to the Association in providing needed services to the Lao/H'rrong families in Oshkosh. The following is a listing of the accomplishments of the Association to date: 1. Developed a capacity to provide needed outreach, information and referral , advocacy, translation/interpretation and counseling services for the 87 families (526 individuals) in a variety of employment, health, hone management, housing and other areas. 2. Established a "Secondary Wage Earner Project" that provides employ- ment and training to the Southeast Asian community with funding from the State Department of Health and Social Services (Wisconsin Refugee Assistance Office). To date, 16 training classes have been offered and have served a total of 37 people, of which 32 people have been placed in employment. In addition, another 42 H'rrong people have obtained self-employment income from participating in this project. 3. Established close working relationships with other resources in the community including Job Service, Fox Valley Technical Insti- tute, ADVCCgP and other agencies in efforts to promote the self- sufficiency and employment of the Lao/H'mong people. 4. Expanded the base of support to the Association and its endeavors by broadening the Board of Directors. All 6 Southeast Asian clans have equal representation on the Board. In addition 12 American representatives serve on the Board representing a variety of sup- portive constituencies. Describe the project objectives and activities in relation to the guidelines established by the Human Services Subcommittee. A. L.M. I. Benefit: - 100% Direct Benefit. A survey of the Lao/H'rrong population in Oshkosh reveals that more than 70% of refugee families are receiving same form of public assistance. B. Impact: The emphasis of the project is on achieving economic self-sufficiency through employment. Achieving self-sufficiency includes related suppor- tive human services, linkages and improved housing conditions. C. Residency: All beneficiaries reside in the City of Oshkosh. D. Alternative Financing: No other funding sources is available to support these activities. Other funds and inkind support from other organization have been mobil- ized to support the overall goal of integrating the refugee population into the community of Oshkosh. E. Operating Support: CDBG support for this activity is an allowable under Federal . Rule 570.201(e). These funds provide the critical core funding of the Asso- ciation as a focal point for refugee people in our community. PRCBLIN STATEMENT In order to insure that CL/HA's services continue to remain responsive to local needs and resources, a comprehensive needs assessment survey was completed in August, 1984 which identified refugee demographics and charac- teristics and provided a current profile of unmet refugee needs. The as- sessment has since been used constructively within the community to establish a service and information sharing network with other agencies and to rethink and readjust CL/HA's service objectives for the future program year. In Oshkosh there are approximately 526 or more Lao/H'meng refugee comprising 87 families. A very high percent of the Lao/H'mong population in Oshkosh are receiving public assistance. The reasons for the welfare dependency among the local refugee population seems to be: 1. Limited educational levels. 2. Limited English speaking ability. 3. Lack of previous work experience and skills. 4. Large family size. 5. Welfare disincentives. 6. A depressed local economy. 7. Cultural beliefs which limit employment opportunities for certain groups. Women do not traditionally work outside the home in many refugee cultures. A shorter life span and early retirement means that many people over 40 do not expect to have to work. Early mar- riage and childbearing customs often limit the educational and employment opportunities for youth. 8. Transportation difficulties. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Based upon the problems that were identified in the August, 1984 needs as- sessment, the Association chose to concentrate initially on the development of a comprehensive refugee employment, training ann placement program. The • program in a nutshell involved the hiring of a Job Service Specialist to work full time seeking jobs for the primary wage earner of a refugee family and the establishment of an industrial sewing machine training and placement program for secondary refugee wage earners. CL/HA believes these newly begun programs will provide employment for refugees because a balance exists between the refugee skill levels and job requirements. However, without certain orientation services to help remove cultural barriers to the employment of refugee wage-earners, without transportation assistance, without culturally appropriate day care and without advocacy services to help refugees gain access to the full spectrum of community services, such employment and t5raining services may be totally ineffective. By limiting funding almost exclusively to employment and training CL/HA may fail to address existing critical needs and thereby reduce the value of the services it does provide. The CL/HA proposes the following objectives in order to continue to provide the critical linkages and supportive services to the Lao H'mong people in Oshkosh. MAL To enhance the economic self-sufficiency of refugees living in Oshkosh and to assist them to achieve full participation in the community in ways which respect the individual and cultural integrity of the refugees. CEJECTIVES: - Provide information and referral services in the refugees native language to see that eligible refugees receive the necessary health, education and human services they are entitled to receive. - Provide bilingual counseling, advocacy, interpretation for the courts, doctors, schools and other Oshkosh agencies. - Establish a Speaker's Bureau to inform the Oshkosh community about refugees. Through this public relations effort, understanding will be promoted, untruths can be clarified and acceptance of the new- comers should be expedited. - Bring in speakers to present survival information to the refugees on such topics as utility usage, money management, nutrition, health care, tax filing and food preparation. - Bring into the Center isolated refugees, especially the elderly who are hardest hit by "cultural shock" and its resulting isolation and loneliness. - Implement a bilingual transportation program that will teach refugees how to utilize the existing bus system (a program has been developed but funding is needed for the implementation phase). - Promote and encourage the "marketability" of the native arts and crafts. Funds will also be sought from other sources (Pranges) for this activity. - Establish a women's group to begin to actively address their needs and concerns. - Enhance the organizational capability of the Association to effec- tively administer and account for public resources. • DESCRIPTION CF APPLICANT CL/HA is a non-profit agency serving all refugees located in the City of Oshkosh. The Association by laws, articles of incorporation and its Board of Directors list is attached to this submittal. The Association's office is located at the Oshkosh AMA at 324 Washington Avenue, Oshkosh. The basic underlying form for the Association is illustrated by the following organi- zational chart. EXISTING TABLE OF ORGANIZATION Citizen of Oshkosh • (Lao/H'mong Families)` i . Board of Directors 12 Members Volunteer Committee Yang Lo - President Federal, State, City Members & Private Foundation Civic Organizations & Churches Corporate Funding & Executive Director Regulatory Agencies Pao Yang Mutual Assistance Center Linkages: - - Major employers Administrative - Local Labor Union (2 prt.-time positions) - City of Oshkosh - Major State agencies ----- Secretary/Bookkeeper - Fox Valley Tech. - Diocese of Green Bay Funding from Title V - Winnebago Mental Health Institute - Winnebago County Social Services - Job Service - WEOP - U.W. Oshkosh - Churches • Volunteer - Oshkosh B'Gosh Southeast Asian Employment i - Mondl Manufacturing Worker(s) Refugee Assistant Training Coordinator Funding from Miles Kimball Foundation, O=hkosh Foundation, Job Service and Refugee Resettlement • Teachers Aide The Needs Assessment Survey which document and explains the needs of the refugee community has been submitted previously. ....................... . ANNUAL BUDGET A BILINGUAL REFUGEE WIREPOI BROOM 1. Provision of Assistance to Individuals $17,000 This includes salary and fringe cost of the "core" agency operations which includes the Executive Directors services to an estimated 250 monthly requests for assistance from refugees, social services agencies, doctors and etc. (See attached letter frcm Mr. Doyle). 2. Program related support cost 3,000 (i.e., office supplies, office rental , travel, mileage, telephone, postage) T O T A L 20,000 Oshkosh Lao/Hmong American Association Inc. Board of Directors 1. Yong Lia Lor, President 224 Scott Ave.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 233-6079 2. Vue Xiong, Vice - President 11105 N Main St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 233-7585 3. Pao Thao, Secretary 525 Division St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 231-7978 4. Tou Ly Xiong, Treasurer 506 High Ave.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 233-7220 5. Robert Pung 220 Washington Ave. ; Oshkosh, WI 54901 235-0800 6. Richard Schlisnm 19 W. 1st St.; Fcrd du La, WI 5+935 688-5217 7. Joanne Pollack 1105 Baiwin St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 236-2104 8. Joane Fairbank 2463 Burnwood Dr.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 426-3126 9. Jame Mueller 2581 Omro Rd.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 424-4274 10. Jame Grunluh - 2155 Point Comfor; Oshkosh, WI 54901 231-9165 11. Za Neng Yang 141A W. 10th Ave.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 426-1045 12. Her Pao Yang 223 Merritt Ave.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 233-5095 13. Ge Lor 2327 Ashland St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 233-4071 14. Phong Lor 825 Jefferson St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 231-9801 15. Yang Teng Vang 1038 Jefferson St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 231-0187 16. Chong Vang 763 Bowen St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 426-4943 17. Tou Ly 435 Monroe St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 231-7129 18. Moua Ly 423 W. 7th Ave.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 19. Chong Bee Xiong 404 Monroe St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 425-3596 20. Nao Xiong Thao 653 Grand St.; Oshkosh, WI 54901 231-0161