We are proud of our 1,000+ partners in Education, Health, Public Safety, Basic Needs and Family Support, Resettlement, Business and Commerce, Policy and Advocacy, Career and Workforce Services, Youth Development, Volunteer Training, Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Consumer Information, the Financial Sector, Government, Civic Groups, Community-based Entities, and the Private Sector.

Families and individuals with low income have poorer health outcomes. They are at a greater risk for a variety of diseases, at greater risk of homelessness, and often live shorter lifespans.

Therefore, Lao Family focuses extensive attention on removing barriers to securing income support, federal public benefits, earned income tax credits, income tax refunds, access to Second Chance bank account products, accessing housing due to blemished credit and less than the required income ratios that landlords look for, removing obstacles to accessing healthcare service and insurance, good jobs with career ladders and benefits, skills training and education programs, and meeting their basic needs through free and low-cost sources from clothing, household goods, food, utility benefits and transportation supports.

LFCD uses the highest industry standards, best practices, and structures to guide and support families as part of our full-service case management service to help them achieve the necessary outcomes and sustainable self-sufficiency within our 6-month, 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month pathways.

Lao Family Standards and Structures //

• Quality, comprehensive, holistic case management
• Intake, screening and assessment tools, orientation, implementation, and evaluations
• Individually tailored service planning, design, delivery, review, and revision
• Goals based on needs, preferences, strengths, measurable objectives, and outcomes
• Direct assistance, information and referral, linkage to opportunities, and community support to increase independence and self-reliance
• Culturally and linguistically informed service (in 35+ languages)
• Timely access to service, including after regular hours and weekends as needed
• Mobile unit available to ensure service inclusion and access
• Group workshops, peer support, and referrals to formal/network therapy and clinical partners

Quality Individualized Programs, Services and Support //

• Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Higher Education Opportunities and Access (Oakland/Sacramento)
• Affordable Rental Housing, Nonprofit Office Spaces, Event Rental Spaces, Retail Spaces, Cafés, Commercial Catering Kitchens, Art Gallery Centers, Cultural and Training Spaces, Dance Studio, Recreation/Community Centers, and Gardens to increase economic independence—Owner/Operator (Oakland/San Pablo)
• California Victims of Crime Assistance (VOCA) for Children, Youth, and Adults (Oakland/Sacramento/San Pablo)
• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) for needy parents with children—including housing, food, utilities, clothing, and medical care for a specific period. The program has work participation requirements. Partnership with various counties. (Oakland/Sacramento/San Pablo)
• California Department of Rehabilitation (Certified Vendor): Job Readiness, Placement, and Support of Individuals with Disabilities—CARF accreditation is complete
• Career Technical Education (CTE) Training Provider in Environmental Management, Career Pathways, and Access to Various Certified Training and Apprenticeships (Oakland)
• Contra Costa County Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Mental Health Provider for Asian Families  (San Pablo)
• Consulting and Organizational Development and Support of Emerging Nonprofits
• Credit Repair + Establishment, Second Chance Bank Accounts
• Crime Victim Assistance—Multiple Services
• Department of Labor (DOL)/CA Employment Development Department (EDD)/America’s Job Career Center (AJCC) One Stop Operator (Oakland/San Pablo)
• Education + Training Certifications
• Employer and Business Services: Concierge service to employers, hiring temp- to-permanent, seasonal hiring, diverse direct hiring, customized training, wage subsidy reimbursement programs, on-the-job training, fair hiring practices, best practice, translation and outreach for special populations, customized on-site hiring and job fairs, employer site tours, etc. (1000+ private, nonprofit and public partners) (Oakland/Sacramento/San Pablo)
• Financial Education and Budgeting
• Food pantries, clothing, basic needs, SMUD, low-cost energy assistance program, legal clinics, credit repairs, RAP sheets, public benefits screening + referral (CADL + ID), and Green Card + Social Security Card applications
• Food Stamps and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for nutritious food
• General Assistance (GA)—a relief and support program for adults without dependents
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)—a certificate of completion program (Oakland)
• Health and Well-Being—Mental Health PEI
• Health Clinics (via partners)
• Health System Education, Promotion, Access, and Navigation Programs
• Income Tax Return Preparation (VITA & EITC)—FREE
• Incubator + Small Business Support
• Office-Retail-Commercial Space Development and Management
• Redevelopment of motels and vacant assets
• Refugee Employment Service (RES), Social Adjustment/Orientation, and Targeted Assistance (TA) (Oakland/Sacramento)
• Savings Account Program (IDA)
• Senior/Elders Brown Bag Nutrition Program and Counseling (Oakland/Sacramento)
• State Department Certified Refugee Resettlement and Placement Service (Oakland/Sacramento)
• Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) and HS Diploma/CE (HCCTS partner)
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)—a program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service/United Way Bay Area (San Pablo/Oakland)
• Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Service and Youth Worked Based Learning and Internships, Summer jobs, Leadership, High School Graduation, Higher Education Provider (Oakland/San Pablo)

YOUTH PROGRAMS + SERVICES //

For 40+ years, Lao Family has provided quality, high-performing, year-round educational, summer jobs, and career programs for Oakland’s youth. Lao Family serves over 300+ youth every year. We are proud that 80% to 100% of our youth graduate from high school and 70% to 90% enter post-secondary education at community colleges and 4-year universities.

Our Main Programs and Services  /

• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program Year Round Targeting In-School and Out-of-School Youth and Young Adults (16-24 yrs old)
• Summer Jobs Internship and Career Pathways Program (16-24 yrs old)
• Youth Employment, Leadership Development, and Academic Support
• Navy Sea Cadet Youth Leadership Program (Sac Division as a partner)
• Summer Youth Employment Program
• Underserved Child/Youth Victim Service
• The Lao Family Youth program has opened a new 3,000+ SF Teen Education, Entrepreneurship, and Wellness Center at the CARE Community Center Oakland

This new venue will offer multiple programs and co-located partners. The main offerings include /

• Computer lab
• Quiet study area
• Group activity and homework center
• Alternative High School diploma/GED preparation program
• College outreach center
• Recreational center, with outdoor basketball, dance/yoga studio
• Social media/app-web-site design training program
• Wellness center
• Community garden
• Outdoor art and gathering patios

Lao Family Youth Program Standards //

• Quality comprehensive education and skills-based training serving inner-city Oakland youth—ages 16 to 24 years old
• Individual-centered case management planning, design, delivery, review, and service revision
• Service for youth with disabilities, language, and other barriers.
• Intake, screening and assessment tools, orientation, implementation, and evaluation.
• Goals based on needs, preferences, strengths, and measurable objectives lead to many positive outcomes, including developing 21st-century skills
• Culturally and linguistically informed direct assistance, information and referral, and linkage to opportunities and community supports through formal MOU and network partners, leading to increased academic achievements, literacy gains, graduation rates, college enrollment, independence, and self-reliance.
• Timely access to service, including after regular hours and weekends, as needed
• Group workshop focusing on job readiness, labor market training, exposure to career pathways, peer support, mentoring, job shadowing, career exposure, apprenticeship access, recognized credential training in Career Technical Education and Vocational Programs, and work-based learning and training.
• Higher education programs—university and college tours, college admissions, and financial aid application assistance
• GED preparation/alternative high school diploma programs
• Increased communication, performance, teamwork, problem-solving, analytical, cultural awareness, and leadership development skills
• Permanent hiring opportunities after graduation from the program/college

Populations We Serve //

Lao Family specializes in serving diverse inner-city in-school and out-of-school youth and young adults (16 to 27 years old) from the following backgrounds: newly arrived refugees, long-term refugees, recent immigrants, limited English populations, public housing residents, pregnant teens, homeless/foster care, youth with disabilities, and has deficiencies in basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Career Opportunities at Lao Family /

See our organization’s current job and career opportunities list on our Join Us page.