Karen Organization of Minnesota

Social serviceskom addresses a wide variety of self-sufficiency needs for refugees, immigrants, and low-income households through social services programs. In 2023, kom supported over 1,000 households to address needs including: public assistance access, mnsure navigation, housing support, immigration services, and services to elders. Kom's youth case managers provided wraparound services for over 90 Karen youth with substance use and/or mental health issues. Kom provided community health education to over 300 Karen adults and youth on topics including substance use, mental health, parenting skills, and family planning methods.

Youth serviceskom partners with the metro refugee resettlement network to offer academic and career coaching for about 70 refugee youth in grades k-12. Kom also partners with st. paul public schools to provide after-school tutoring, socioemotional and cultural activities, and volunteer mentorship for about 80 newly arrived refugee youth in grades 6-12. During the 2023-2024 school year, over 90% of students in kom's after-school programs reported increases in their ability to overcome problems, manage stress, build healthy relationships, understand cultural differences, and use leadership skills.

Employment serviceskom has developed a continuum of employment services to provide workforce readiness skills, job placement, and vocational training to more than 200 people per year. In 2023, kom placed over 90 adults in jobs and provided workforce readiness training and support services to improve job retention. 98 individuals earned one or more credentials in translation and interpreting, nursing assistant, warehouse, and transportation through kom programs in partnership with adult basic education and vocational training providers.