Description:  The Laotian Community Center, Inc is respectfully requesting your support for the construction of the Laotain Cultural Center & Museum in Smithfield, Rhode Island. LCCINC was founded in 1997 by a group of dedicated Laotian Americans, and established in 2000 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the purpose of ... Read More The Laotian Community Center, Inc is respectfully requesting your support for the construction of the Laotain Cultural Center & Museum in Smithfield, Rhode Island. LCCINC was founded in 1997 by a group of dedicated Laotian Americans, and established in 2000 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the purpose of expanding America’s cultural fabric and engaging people of all ages in a diverse range of activities toward developing a positive community impact. In addition, as per Rhode Island’s Office of Minority Health, Asian Americans are 1.5 times more likely to grow up impoverished. According to statistics compiled by Rhode Island Kids Count data, children of color and children of immigrants are more likely to grow up poor. The majority of Laotian Americans who have made Rhode Island their primary residence were refugees that immigrated to the United States in the late 70’s and the early 80’s. The LCCINC serves 3,000 individuals each year. As our service population grew, our space remained the same and the Board of Directors collaboratively decided to purchase a parcel of land equal to 22 acres. The plan is to erect a 20,000-36,700 square foot building that would serve various purposes: it would act as a hub for the Rhode Island community by providing community-based programs for our local populations in the fields of social services, education, career development and literacy enhancement; a corporate meeting ground for local businesses; a center for health and fitness; and a museum to display and archive the rich history of the Laotian culture, in addition to the many rich cultures of other South East Asian countries. Our quality programs are designed for the purpose of strengthening our cross-cultural understanding, preserving history, promoting the arts, and facilitating the process of acculturation. Once completed, the center would house the following features: universal gymnasium, theater, ten classrooms, food court, children's learning center and library, museum, gift shop, conference room, administrative offices, athletic field and computer lab. The center would be open to the general community 7 days a week, from 9am to midnight. Our staff would be comprised of professionals utilizing best practices to implemented these programs. Designers and Architects has designed a multi-functional space and projected the estimated cost to be between 1.5-4.5 million dollars. Based on funding stream projections, this project can be completed in a two-year cycle. Presently, LCCINC has begun the first phase of the project and is preparing to install the sewage system. In support of the construction project, LCCINC launched a nationwide capital campaign on October 28, 2006. Our hope is that the Laotian Community Center will provide a place where residents from Rhode Island, Southern New England, and across the nation can experience, explore, and learn about Lao history, along with other different Asian heritage and cultures. Our ultimate goal to make the Laotian Community Center a vital meeting ground for communities of all ages. The community center will provide people with tangible work skills in order to be competitive in the job market. It will create approximately 100 new jobs in Rhode Island. With our knowledge of the commitment of your generosity to project and good cause and the advancement of youth, we are pledging of your support and for this very important project. We hope you will partner with us as we proceed with this vital project, and celebrate with us at the ribbon cutting upon its completion. A Gift for the next generation to comes. Every donation is count in order to make this center possible for the community and children across the country and around the world to cherish its heritage and culture.  Close