About Us
Who We Are
Lao Family Community Development (LFCD) was founded in 1980 by newly arrived Lao refugees seeking safety, stability, and opportunity in a new country. While our name honors these roots, our community today extends far beyond a single culture or ethnic group.
For over 45 years, LFCD has grown into a CARF-accredited, multi-service community development organization supporting individuals and families from 40+ countries, speaking 35+ languages, across 18 service locations in Northern California.
We continue to proudly serve the Lao, Mien, and Hmong communities, while our services remain open to anyone who needs them—newcomers, immigrants, refugees, returning residents, families experiencing homelessness, youth, and U.S.-born residents seeking stability and opportunity.
Our work spans the 3Hs at the core of our mission:
Health, Housing, and Human Services.
Our doors are open to walk-ins, self-referrals, and partner referrals.
Everyone is welcome.
Who We Serve
Our participants come from all walks of life but often share challenges such as:
- Poverty and high unemployment
- Housing instability
- Limited English proficiency
- Food insecurity
- Lack of job experience or marketable skills
- Living in low-income or high-crime neighborhoods
- Limited financial literacy or savings
- Mental health or physical health challenges
- Domestic violence
- Justice-involved histories
- Lack of transportation
- Limited access to affordable childcare
Despite these barriers, we see extraordinary resilience, strength, and determination in every individual we serve. With the right support, people achieve real, measurable, life-changing success—and for 45+ years, LFCD has been honored to walk alongside them.
Our Signature CARE Model
CARE: Community • Access • Resources • Education
CARE is LFCD’s integrated service model and organizational brand, designed to make essential services accessible, culturally responsive, and community-centered.
CARE is delivered through two major service hubs:
CARE Campuses (Housing + Holistic Support)
Transitional housing communities where participants live onsite while receiving wraparound support, including health navigation, behavioral health, job placement, digital literacy, life-skills coaching, financial empowerment, and family strengthening.
The goal: heal, stabilize, gain employment, and transition into permanent housing.
CARE Community Centers (Non-Housing Service Hubs)
Accessible neighborhood sites offering education, workforce development, digital literacy, youth programs, adult learning, navigation, and community resources.
The goal: build skills, confidence, and long-term opportunity.
CARE represents our commitment to whole-person, whole-family, and whole-community care—and strengthens our 3Hs of Health, Housing, and Human Services.
A Growing, Global Community
Today, LFCD is recognized as an innovator and high-impact leader in community development.
Our staff, leadership, and clients reflect the diversity of Northern California’s immigrant, refugee, low-income, and multilingual communities.
We invite you to explore more about our community—including their challenges, accomplishments, stories, and victories—through our blog, newsletters, and program highlights.
CARF Accreditation: A Commitment to Quality
LFCD is proud to be accredited by CARF International, the global gold standard for nonprofit employment and human services.
This accreditation affirms our dedication to:
- High-quality, evidence-based practices
- Culturally responsive, trauma-informed care
- Strong fiscal and operational management
- Skilled, compassionate staff
- Measurable outcomes and continuous improvement
Through our integrated case management model, LFCD delivers outcomes such as:
- Permanent housing and homelessness resolution
- Job placement and long-term employment
- Increased income and benefits
- Reduced recidivism
- Economic mobility and self-sufficiency
CARF certification validates LFCD’s ability to help individuals with diverse needs—including disabilities—achieve stability, wellness, and long-term opportunity.
Why Lao Family?
- 45+ years of service since 1980
- CARF International Accredited
- Multilingual, multicultural staff representing 35+ languages
- High-outcome programs proven to advance health, housing, and human services
- Trusted partner to local governments, health plans, schools, employers, and community-based organizations
- Committed to whole-person care, economic mobility, and community empowerment
LFCD gives individuals and families the tools, support, and opportunities they need to build self-sufficient, thriving lives.
