About HMAAS
The Hmong Mutual Assistance Association of Sheboygan, Inc. (HMAAS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1980 by the Hmong community of Sheboygan. The purpose of the association was to promote a spirit of loving friendship, cooperation, and benevolence among the Hmong community of Sheboygan; to serve the economic, social, and cultural needs of the Hmong people; to hold meetings and gatherings for the better realization of such purposes; and to promote increased understanding, opportunity, and sharing of resources in the greater Sheboygan area.
Then
HMAAS’ primary mission was to assist the Southeast Asian refugees in their resettlement process in Sheboygan County and to promote opportunities that will enable refugee families to become self-sufficient. In 1982, HMAAS was the first refugee organization to receive federal funding through the State of Wisconsin Refugee Assistance Office to provide basic supportive services to refugee families such as housing assistance, employment, health, interpretation and translation, short-term counseling, and information and referral. HMAAS is known as a leading agency in providing services to the refugee community and has received many recognition awards from state and federal agencies for its strong performances.
Now
as the Sheboygan Hmong community has evolved, it boasts a rich diversity of faiths; such as traditional Hmong Shamanism, Christianity, Catholicism, and Mormonism, orientations, and ethnicities. These blends of identities adds to the unique fabric of the community thus shaping how HMAAS continues to serve the community. Instead of only assisting with the assimilation to a new world, our focus has shifted towards providing support and resources for mental health, creating engaging and accessible programs, preserving traditional and artistic aspects of Hmong culture, and spearheading initiatives that will enrich and nourish our community.
