Hmong Resource Fair

The resource providing organization in the state of Minnesota.

In 2001, a small group of concerned professionals and community members came together and created the Hmong Resource Fair (HRF). The purpose and mission of this organization is to bring the community and its businesses to work together, despite any language barriers. Hmong Resource Fair is now a centralized clearinghouse for the Hmong community in Minnesota to have ready and available access to the services of their community.

Hmong Resource Fair works to provide resources and opportunities to the Hmong community, professional community, both public and private organizations, its business partners and stakeholders. Through its network and connection of nearly 200 business partners and supporters, Hmong Resource Fair reaches thousands of Hmong in Minnesota and throughout the nation. To achieve its mission, Hmong Resource Fair committee members gather those necessary resources needed to provide to the community.

What is HE&RT?

The Hmong Education & Resources Today (HE&RT) is our fiscal agent, a non-profit organization devoted to assisting the community we serve and the audience we reach out to.  It is also our primary location where we utilize and share the same resources.  Hmong Resource Fair is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization.

 2009 Hmong Resource Fair committee members and volunteers
(not all committee members are present in photo) 

HE&RT W-9 Form

Meet Our Hmong Resource Fair Committee Members

If you are interested in being a part of this exceptional group of volunteer professionals, please email or mail the completed committee application below to hmongresourcefair@yahoo.com or to the contact address at the bottom of this page.

Hmong Resource Fair Committee Application

Name: Kazoua Kong-Thao, Co-Founder/Chair

Affiliations:  Hmong Education & Resources Today (HE&RT), State of Minnesota Management & Budget, The Saint Paul Board of Education, Hmong Business Forum

Name: Gaonyia Vang, Coordinator

Affiliations: Hmong Resource Fair, Admission Possible

Name: MaySeng Cha, Committee Member/Health and Wellness

Affiliation:  UCare, Hmong Health Care Professionals Coalition

May Seng is the Community Relations & Partnership Manager for UCare, a nonprofit Minnesota health plan offering income-based health coverage and Medicare plans.  She has worked passionately in the Twin Cities non-profit sector for 15 years, and has significantly expanded UCare's involvement in diverse community initiatives since joining the plan in 2004.  May Seng currently chairs the Hmong Health Care Professionals Coalition and serves on advisory and planning committees. She uses her leadership positions with many multicultural organizations representing Hmong, Native American Indian, Latino, Somali and new immigrants in Minnesota, to secure connections to health-related services and resources.

Fun Fact: "I enjoys eating any type of delicious food and running outdoors.  I run an average of 15-20 miles a week so I can continue to eat!"

Name: Juanita Fernandez, Committee Member/Public Relations and Outreach

Affiliation: Montessori Training Center of Minnesota

"As my third year on the Hmong Resource Fair Committee, I feel that Hmong Resource Fair is a great opportunity to network and contribute time to my community.  It is also an opportunity to learn more about the Hmong community."

"I am learning about the fundamentals of organizing such large scale events and to give back to the Saint Paul community.  It is great to meet new people and help people put on such a great event.

Favorite Quote: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. " -Luke 12:48b

Name: Mary Guerra, Committee Member/Public Relations and Outreach

Affiliation: Saint Paul Public Schools

"I've been a member of HRF since 2007 and I love the opportunity to bring resources to the community while meeting excellent and caring individuals in the process."

Fun Fact: I want to be able to fly. That way I can run away to different places, visit all my friends, and enjoy the sun!"

Name: Kalue Her, Committee Member/Public Relations and Outreach

Affiliation:  Neighborhood House

"I've been with the Hmong Resource Fair for about 4 years, and continue to be inspired by the effort that all the volunteering professionals put into this event.  It is an amazing experience, and worth every minute to helping our community."

Fun Fact: "If I can have any super powers, it would be the power of teleportation. That way I can travel at my heart's desire."

Name: Npib Shela Her, Committee Member/Public Relations and Outreach

Affiliation: Saint Paul Public Schools

"I look forward to becoming more involved with helping Hmong families."

Affiliation: Family Relief Services

"I have always wanted to participate in the Hmong Resource Fair and planning this event will definitely be one of my top priorities.  I believe that this is the perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge and become more invovled with the community at large.  Serving on the community has made me feel so much closer to a cause I believe in."

Name: Xong Her, Committee Member/Public Relations and Outreach

Name: Jillian Hiscock, Committee Member/Vendors

Affiliation:  College of Saint Benedict's/Saint John's University

"What has always impressed/amazed me about the Hmong community is the COMMUNITY.  The HRF to me is about showcasing all of the amazing things taking place in the Hmong community and connecting people to resources."

Name: Danny Lee,  Committee Member/Sponsorship

Affiliation:  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Name: Jesse Kao Lee, Committee Member/Early Childhood Activity Center

Affiliation:  Ready 4 K

"I have been a part of the Hmong Resource Fair planning committee for over 5 years now.  I am a lifetime servant to the Hmong community."

Favorite Quote: "Be the change you wish to see." - Ghandi

Name: Marvin Lee, Committee Member/Cultural Education and Senior Activity Center, Vendors

Affiliation: Saint Paul Workforce Center

Name: Tseebleej Lee, Committee Member/Cultural Education and Senior Activity Center

Name: Ying Lee, Committee Member/Refreshment

Affiliation: State Services for the Blind

"The Hmong Resource Fair Committee works hard and has fun.  I am always inspired by this planning committee.  Everyone comes ready to work and willing to do what is needed to make the annual Hmong Resource Fair event a success.  I have learned much just from interacting with everyone who is a part of this planning team."

Name: Nai Lo, Committee Member/Vendors

Name: Koreena Moua, Committee Member/7-12 Graders Activity Center

Name: Debra Pridgen, Committee Member/Volunteers

Name: Kou Thao, Committee Member/Volunteers

Name: Michael Thao, Committee Member/1-6 Graders Activity Center

Name: Vong Thor, Committee Member/7-12 Graders Activity Center

Name: Hli Vang,  Committee Member/Sponsorship

Name: Kashong Vang, Committee Member/Public Relations and Outreach, Vendors

Name: Zang Vang-Lee, Committee Member/Refreshment, Sponsorship

Name: Mario Vargas, Committee Member

Name: Mee Yang, Committee Member/Health and Wellness, Volunteers