Hmong homelessness issue, Mai Vang is of Laotian decent??

[theking]

Sacramento City councilmember, local nonprofit address Hmong homelessness


Tucked away in a South Sacramento neighborhood surrounded by businesses, you’ll find people living along Morrison Creek.

Homelessness doesn’t discriminate. Those are the worlds of a Sacramento City Councilmember of Laotian decent, who recently visited an encampment to find many people of the same origin.

As a Hmong American, Councilmember Mai Vang felt even more connected to this group after realizing they had something in common.

“It’s incredibly heartbreaking,” Vang said. “There are definitely individuals that are Hmong that are unhoused in that encampment. Overall, about 30 southeast Asian members living in that encampment.”

Vang and her team decided to do something about it by visiting those people to deliver resources and services — but most importantly, gain their trust.

“A tendency from our communities to not trust government, and rightfully so,” Vang said. “So, building that trust and having folks that look like you, out there providing the services is so critical.”

Food, clothing and supplies were provided by Sacramento Steps Forward, a nonprofit with a goal of ending homelessness.

Theresa Bible, representing the group, said they were able to provide medical and dental services, as well as provide vouchers for IDs and birth certificates.

“To see them actually want the services, I can get emotional about it because all the hard work, all the logistical things that we had to jump through, it made it worth it,” Bible said.

Following the visit to the encampment, volunteers were able to get about a dozen people living on that street into motels.

[Reporter]

Laotian descent but Hmong-American, it says.

True. Laotian because from Laos. Article doesn’t say she’s Lao. There’s a difference between being Lao and being Laotian. Lao is the racial description and Laotian is the nationality of a person born in Laos.

Most likely though Vang was born in Ban Vinai or Fresno.

[VillainousHero]

Just wait till one actually does humanitarian services and brings stuff to homeless people who are in need.

I watch as I give food and cloths to them.  One person eats something.  They don't like, they just tossed it onto the floor right there in front of me.  Another person drinks from a water bottle, had their fill and tosses the rest of it, right there onto the floor.  Some tried on some clothing and rummage through the pile.  They just threw away the ones they didn't like right there onto the floor. 

This is what the effort of collecting, delivering, and gifting onto the homeless.  Gosh they have some pretty high standards.  I couldn't cry in front of them, but inside I was even more heart broken than the word heartbroken is defined. 

When you are poor and try to help those even less fortunate than you are, this is how it often ends up as...I''m sure if I was some rich celebrity, I'll be given a different reception...Ho w the world really is sometimes...

[ProudLao]

She could be mixed like Sunisa Lee.

But I like what she stands for.

[Reporter]

Am I not mixed when I’m Hmong-American?

[ProudLao]

Absolutely not lol

[VillainousHero]

But all Hmongs are mixed...