About Us

The Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. is a non-profit, community based organization, established in 1983, for the purpose of assisting Southeast Asians to acculturate into the mainstream of Western society. Our organization's primary focus is to determine and to service the special needs of the local Southeast Asian community, so as to lead the populace into becoming well-informed, productive, and contributing members of the community at large.

Since its inception, our organization has been providing a broad range of critically needed services in the Merced County area, including, but not limited to:

• Community Outreach & Awareness 

• Information and Referral Services

• Consumer Fraud Education

• Financial Education

• Gang Prevention & Suppression

• Counseling

• Family Preservation & Family Support

• USDA Food Program for Children

• Employment Placement Services

• Job Training Services

• Driver Education & Training

• Crisis Intervention

• Emergency Services

• Child Abuse Prevention

• Tobacco Control

• Early Childhood Education

• Health Education

Our Executive Director, Houa Vang, has led this organization for over thirteen years of prosperous administration and successful projects benefiting the community members of Merced County. Our organization currently administers 14 projects and has 22 staff members throughout Merced County.

PHILOSOPHY

…to encourage self-respect and self-sufficiency for the Southeast Asian community members
emigrated from Laos; to maintain pride in their history and to offer positive support and hope for their future.

Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. was established to serve the Southeast Asian immigrant individuals
and family groups in Merced County. Through its programs, Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. strives to assist
this unique community in acquiring a balance between traditional Southeast Asian culture and modern American life.

The primary focus of the Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. is to determine and service all the special needs of the Southeast Asian people residing in the Central Valley communities, so as to lead this populace into becoming well-informed, healthy, productive, self-sufficient, and contributing members of the Central Valley community at large.


HISTORY/MISSION

Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. was founded by Praya Norapamok General Vang Pao in 1982. Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. was incorporated under the Federal Tax Exemption Code 501c(3). Our Board of Directors consists of 12 members governing the organizational affairs. The Board of Directors represents the various ethnic and professional groups throughout the Central San Joaquin Valley. An Executive Director and a Financial Officer are recruited to manage and administer the funds and staff of our organization. In addition to the Board of Directors, our organization has an Advisory Committee that consists of Clan Leaders, Elder Leaders, and educators who share information and advice to the Board of Directors when needed. This Advisory Committee is made up of ten (10) Quarter Leaders who are chosen by the Southeast Asian community members. The Advisory Committee bridges the gap between the community members and our organization.

Since the founding of Merced Lao Family Community, Inc., there have been many community members who have contributed their time, financial aid, and dedication to the organization. In addition, there have been many Community Leaders who have successfully presided over the organization as President.