(Dara Stieglitz is a registered nurse and a board member of the Laotian American National Alliance (LANA)).

History
The Laotian Community Center of Rhode Island (LCC) was founded in 1997. The Laotian Community Center of RI, Inc. was established in 2000 as a non-profit organization under 501 (c) 3 tax law. The organization has evolved into an organization whose members support community development and youth programs. The organization has been supported by the general public; Laotian communities from Lowell, Bridgeport, Worcester, Providence and Woonsocket; the Vietnamese Temple of Braintree; the Thai Association of Boston; the Hmong United Association of Rhode Island; the Sri Lanka Association; the Rhode Island School of Design Museum (RISD); and other non-profit organizations. The LCC has been partially supported by the Rhode Island Council on the Arts in the last three years.

In 1998, the Laotian community asked the community leaders to construct a Community Center to maintain a healthy community through art, culture, education and extracurricular activities to nurture youth learning and integrate the community. The current activities at the center are funded by the general public, private sector and community citizens. The programs are used to strengthen our cross-cultural understanding, facilitate the process of acculturation, and promote goodwill and cultural pride among all Americans.

National Campaign to Raise Funds
On October 28, 2006, LCC launched a national campaign to raise funds for the construction of a Cultural Center and Museum that will provide a place where Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts residents can experience, explore, and learn about Lao history and culture and to make LCC a vital meeting place for communities of all ages on many different levels.
Today, the LCC holds the majority of its activities in a small building, mainly funded by the Laotian Community to continue its language and dance classes. A new volleyball court has just been laid out where Cambodian youths and their Laotian counterpart practice almost every weekend together. Other groups currently utilizing the space, as part of the community development, are Lao Family Association of RI, Lao Women Association of RI, Lao Friendship Association, Lao DK Club, Sri Lanka Association, Southeast Asian community organizations, Lao Sport of Lynn, Massachusetts, Lao Sport Team of RI and Lao Youth Association of RI.

The vision for LCC is to support community development, advocate for the elderly and youth, encourage art and culture, promote pride and knowledge of Laotian American history by offering space where Laotian Americans and anyone interested in Laotian art, culture, language and history are welcome. The arts, Lao traditions, language and culture through dance and food, as well as sports activities and friendly competitions that encourage fitness, like volleyball and kataw, are already being taught and happening at the current Center. More activities for seniors are being developed. The new space will also enhance and strengthen cross-cultural understanding by facilitating the process of acculturation and promoting goodwill and cultural pride.

LCC is looking to raise between $150,000 to $180,000 by the end of 2008 to start on the framing and roofing of the new center to avoid the increased cost of construction due to inflation if any part of the project is delayed. LCC feels a strong obligation to create this outstanding facility to serve its community today and to preserve its legacy for future generations.

LCC committee members for fundraising invite each person to share in the realization of this project and to participate in every aspect of this wonderful facility through financial support, volunteering, and by visiting us in Rhode Island.

Your donation is much appreciated:
1. By check: please make it payable to LCC and mail to
Laotian Community Center of RI, Inc.
88 Limerock Road
Smithfield, RI 02917

2. By credit card online, click on “contribute” at www.lccri.org

3. Friendly loan, for more details log on to www.lccri.org

4. All donations, financial gifts and or friendly loans will be matched 100% with tax-deductible funds. This tax deductible fund is only available through 2013. (For a list of donors, please contact LCC through www.lccri.org or visit LCC where a list of donors is maintained.)

The overall project is due to be completed in 3 to 5 years time. Strong financial support from the Laotian Americans and friends will help fund the construction of the Center and maintain the quality and beauty of the seven acres it is currently on.

Your gift for generations to come.
Your legacy to the future.