Success Looks Like Me
In May 2019, Portage County hosted its first Hmong Week to recognize and celebrate Hmong culture and contributions in Central Wisconsin. The event was a collaboration of community organizers from CAP Services, Portage County Literacy Council, CREATE Portage County and Freedom Inc.
Hmong Week is a cross-cultural community engagement and learning event that takes place every May to recognize the 1975 fall of the Long Cheng airbase in Laos, which led to the first Hmong families taking refuge in the United States.
The event features traditional Hmong music, dancing and food. When the 2019 event raised more money than organizers expected, the group sought out a community partner to help facilitate future growth and fundraising efforts.
Organizers connected with the Community Foundation to start the Hmong Sib Pab Sib Qhia — Help Together, Teach Together Fund that would serve as a central location to raise funds and facilitate grant and scholarship awards.
The Community Foundation celebrates Portage County’s Hmong population and supports Hmong student success.
“We created this fund because we understand the barriers Hmong students face. We want to support Hmong students in achieving their OWN dream and becoming successful in their own ways. We all have the ability to be successful.”
— Ann Vang
Fund Co-founder
