Hmong American Center, Inc.

The Hmong American Center, Inc. (HAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving, supporting, and advocating for the Hmong and Southeast Asian communities in Wausau and the broader Central Wisconsin region.

Established to ease the transition of Hmong refugees settling in Marathon County, the center has evolved into a vital community anchor that bridges cultural traditions with modern resources.

Core Areas of Impact

• Community Advocacy & Resources: The center acts as a crucial liaison between community members and local government, education, and healthcare systems. It helps residents navigate housing, employment, and public benefits.

• Cultural Preservation: Through major community events—most notably hosting the annual Hmong Wausau Festival—the center keeps traditional music, dance, and arts vibrant for younger generations.

• Elder Support: In partnership with local organizations like the ADRC, the center runs dedicated initiatives like the Cultural Senior Dining program to combat isolation and provide nutritious, familiar meals to Hmong elders.

• Youth & Education: HAC offers educational support, leadership development, and cultural awareness programs to empower the youth and foster mutual understanding within the broader Wausau community.

The Hmong American Center, Inc. (HAC) operates as the primary lifeline and cultural hub for the Hmong and Southeast Asian communities across Central Wisconsin. Their daily work focuses on four core areas:

1. Community Advocacy & Social Services

The center acts as a crucial bridge between community members and local systems. Staff members provide direct translation, interpretation, and application assistance to help residents navigate:

• Housing & Employment: Finding stable housing, understanding tenant rights, and building resumes for local job placement.

• Public Benefits: Assisting families with applications for food share, healthcare, and energy assistance.

• Legal & Healthcare Navigation: Accompanying community members to appointments or court dates to ensure clear communication.

2. Senior Outreach & Nutrition

To care for the community's elders and combat social isolation, the center hosts dedicated programs tailored to Hmong seniors. Their hallmark initiative is the Cultural Senior Dining program, held every Thursday in partnership with the ADRC. It provides elders with culturally familiar meals, native-language socialization, and direct, on-site access to Medicare and senior benefit specialists.

3. Cultural Preservation & Major Events

HAC ensures that traditional customs, arts, and history remain vibrant for future generations while sharing Hmong culture with the broader Wausau community. They achieve this by organizing:

• The Hmong Wausau Festival: The largest annual Hmong festival in Central Wisconsin, drawing over 14,000 people for sports tournaments, traditional pageantry, dance, and food markets.

• Cultural Arts & Language Classes: Programs that teach traditional Hmong instruments (like the Qeej), traditional dance, and language preservation.

4. Youth Empowerment & Education

The center heavily invests in the next generation by providing resources that help youth succeed academically and professionally while embracing their heritage. This includes:

• After-school tutoring and academic mentorship.

• Youth leadership councils and community service opportunities.

• Scholarship resources and higher-education planning.