St. Paul, Minn. (May 27, 2010) – Arc Greater Twin Cities has honored Brooklyn Center resident Kazoua Vang with its “Changing Attitudes” Change Maker Award for 2009.
Vang assists with monthly meetings of Kev Txhawb, Arc’s networking and support group for Hmong families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her contributions include translating materials for participants, conducting recreational activities for children and handling organizational details.
Vang learned of Arc through the GoldPASS volunteer web site at the University of Minnesota where she is a student.
“Kazoua helps make Kev Txhawb a valuable experience for the families who participate,” said Arc advocate Vangyee Yang, who leads Kev Txhawb. “Because she shares the Hmong language and culture, she helps kids and adults feel welcome and comfortable. Arc is working hard to reach more Hmong families of children with disabilities, and volunteers like Kazoua make all the difference.”
Vang was also featured in Arc’s 2009 Annual Report, where she said, “I think it’s great that Arc is helping meet the needs of Hmong families who have loved ones with disabilities. I have friends who have siblings with disabilities, and I’ve started telling them about Arc and the resources it can offer them.”
Arc’s Change Maker Awards recognize individuals or organizations for making a difference for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They reflect Arc’s tag line, “Changing Attitudes. Changing Policies. Changing Lives.” The “Changing Attitudes” category recognizes those who positively change public perception of people with disabilities.
Arc Greater Twin Cities is a nonprofit agency serving the many needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Established in 1946, Arc has been changing attitudes, changing policies and changing lives for more than 60 years. Arc helps individuals and families address issues that span the lifetime, including early intervention, education, transition to adulthood, health care, housing, employment, guardianship and more.
For more information and volunteer opportunities, call Arc at 952-920-0855 or visit www.arcgreatertwincities.org.
wow, this is amazing that Kazoua Vang received this.
Congrats KaZoua!