Karen Organization of Minnesota

Karen Student Weaving Showcase
2018-08-22 15:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St, St. Paul, MN, 55106, United States
With the generous support of the Minnesota State Arts Board, this summer the Karen women’s weaving circle has been mentoring a dynamic group of high school students at the East Side Freedom Library.
Come and see the beautiful work they have done! Come and meet the students and their teachers.
There will be refreshments and hand woven cloth and clothing to buy.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Karen Culture Presentation - CANCELED
2018-08-17 15:30 - 17:00 | Karen Organization of Minnesota, 2353 Rice Street, Suite 240, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to cancel our Karen Culture Presentation for June 19th, 2020. We are in the process of gradually bringing our staff back to the office, but that won’t begin until June 29th. We plan to host our next presentation in August and will share updates about whether it will be virtual or in-person. Thank you for understanding.
Are you interested in learning more about Karen culture? Join us for our next bi-monthly Karen Culture Presentation. During this presentation, participants with learn about the Karen history, culture, and resettlement in the U.S. We will explore the history of the Karen and how they became refugees, and discuss how the Karen have adapted to life in the U.S. We will also give a brief overview of Karen culture, covering everything from food, to clothing, to family, to communication styles, and more. Come with open ears and any questions. Attendance is limited to 25 people. Please RSVP by registering for a ticket on Eventbrite.
*Suggested donation of $5 at time of event

68th Anniversary of The Karen Martyrs Day Celebration
2018-08-12 07:00 - 22:00, 2018-08-11 07:00 - 22:00
The Karen Community of Minnesota would like to invite you to come and celebrate the 68th anniversary honoring Karen Martyrs Day which will take place on Statuary August 11 and Sunday August 12, 2018 at McDonough Fields (Mississippi Creative Arts School) 1575 L’Orient Street, Saint Paul, MN 55117. For more information please contact Thara Nay Htoo at 651-529-5066 or Thara Morrison Jonny at 651-242-1957. RSVP at the Karen Martyrs Day Facebook event page.

KOM's 3rd Annual Summer Fundraiser
2018-07-21 09:00 - 18:00 | McDonough Fields, 1575 L’Orient St., Saint Paul, MN, 55117, United States
The Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) is celebrating 10 years! We are excited to share that 2018 marks 10 years since KOM received 501c (3) nonprofit status. Since 2008, we have been working hard to support the resettlement of refugees from Burma through wraparound services, community support and our role as a cultural bridge. And now it’s time to celebrate!
We are happy to announce KOM’s 3rd Annual Summer Fundraiser on Saturday, July 21st 2018. This year, there will be a men’s and women’s volleyball tournament, a men’s cane ball tournament, Karen and Thai food sales, and children’s activities. The event will be held at the Mississippi Creative Arts Magnet School fields (1575 L’Orient St., St. Paul, MN 55117).
Volleyball Tournament Information:
1st prize: $1,000
2nd prize: $700
Registration Fee: $100 per team
Caneball Tournament Information:
1st prize: $500
2nd prize: $300
Registration Fee: $50 per team
For more information, contact Keetha Vue
To register your team for the sports tournament, contact Eh Tah Khu. Deadline to register in the sports tournament is Friday, July 13th.

Twin Cities World Refugee Day 2018
2018-07-15 12:00 - 18:00 | Loring Park, 1382 Willow St, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
KOM will be participating in this year’s Twin Cities World Refugee Day on Sunday, July 15th from 12pm – 6pm.
Come and join us!
“Twin Cities World Refugee Day brings Minnesotans together to celebrate the diverse gifts that refugees bring to our state. Event-goers enjoy free live entertainment, food and vendors from around the world, children’s activities, a community resource fair and interactive educational displays.”
– TCWRD event website.

Karen Weaving Circle at the Little Mekong Night Market
2018-07-08 14:00 - 22:00, 2018-07-07 17:00 - 2018-07-08 00:00
Our Karen Weaving Circle will be participating in this year’s Little Mekong Night Market on Saturday, July 7th and Sunday July 8th.
We will be selling traditional hand-woven pieces throughout the event. Stop by our table!
For more information, visit the Little Mekong Night Market event website.

KOMoves for Youth 2018
2018-07-01 00:00 - 2018-07-31 00:00
Are you ready for a challenge this July?
We invite you to join KOMoves for Youth, a 30-Day challenge where participants commit to running, walking, biking, or another form of exercise from July 1 – 31. During that time, each participant will raise a minimum of $200 to support KOM’s Youth Program. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to further our impact in the lives of refugee youth. All participants will receive a KOMoves sticker. Participants who raise over $200 will receive a water bottle for their efforts! Woohoo, let’s get started!
KOM’s Youth Program has made a difference in the lives of over 1,000 refugee youth since the program began. Youth that participate in the program build leadership skills, build connections with their peers and the community and receive opportunities to deepen their understanding and connection to Karen culture. Several of our former students have gone on to college or work to give back to their community. Two of KOM’s direct service staff, Hta Thi Yu Moo and Every Gyi, were also participants of KOM’s youth program while in high school. This program is important for raising up the next generation of Karen and Karenni leaders.

Watch the KOMoves video

Can’t join? Donate to the challenge or contribute by sharing this event with your networks!
Find our KOMoves for Youth 2018 Fundraising Page on GiveMN.org and support our youth program by sponsoring the challenge participants. You can also help them win prizes by helping them reach their fundraising goals!

Firearm Safety Certification Classes
2018-06-17 08:00 - 15:00, 2018-06-16 08:00 - 15:00 | 375 West University Avenue, Suite 204, St. Paul, MN 55103, 375 West University Avenue, Suite 204, Saint Paul, MN, 55103, United States

Karen Culture Presentation
2018-06-15 15:30 - 17:00, 2018-04-20 15:30 - 17:00, 2018-02-16 15:30 - 17:00 | Karen Organization of Minnesota, 2353 Rice Street, Suite 240, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Are you interested in learning more about Karen culture? Join us for our next bi-monthly Karen Culture Presentation. During this presentation, participants with learn about the Karen history, culture, and resettlement in the U.S. We will explore the history of the Karen and how they became refugees, and discuss how the Karen have adapted to life in the U.S. We will also give a brief overview of Karen culture, covering everything from food, to clothing, to family, to communication styles, and more. Come with open ears and any questions. Attendance is limited to 25 people. Please RSVP by registering for a ticket on Eventbrite.
*Suggested donation of $5 at time of event

FREE Career Training Info Sessions
2018-05-09 14:30 - 15:30, 2018-05-08 14:30 - 15:30, 2018-05-04 14:30 - 15:30, 2018-05-03 14:30 - 15:30 | Karen Organization of Minnesota, 2353 Rice Street, Suite 240, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Interested in getting free training to advance in a lifelong career? Join in on one of our information sessions to learn about our various free career training classes at KOM!
There are 4 training opportunities including electrical panel building, soldering, CNA, and translating & interpreting.
Questions? Contact Sara Johnson or MooMoo Paw Htoo.

Karen Weaving Circle at the Spring St. Paul Art Crawl
2018-04-29 12:00 - 17:00, 2018-04-28 12:00 - 20:00, 2018-04-27 18:00 - 22:00 | East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier St, St. Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Join us at the East Side Freedom Library the weekend of April 27th to see women from our Karen Weaving Circle demonstrate traditional Karen back-strap weaving, and learn about Karen culture!
Some of their handmade pieces will be on display and available for purchase.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
On Friday evening, April 27th, there will be live music provided by the Langer’s Ball.
To learn more visit the St. Paul Art Crawl Event Page on the East Side Freedom Library Website .

Fishing Workshop
2018-04-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Karen Organization of Minnesota, 2353 Rice Street, Suite 240, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States

Get Lifted Financial Literacy Workshop
2018-04-27 15:00 - 17:00, 2018-04-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Karen Organization of Minnesota, 2353 Rice Street, Suite 240, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States

Tax Filing Clinics
2018-03-15 17:00 - 20:30, 2018-02-22 17:00 - 20:30, 2018-02-15 10:00 - 14:00, 2018-02-08 17:00 - 20:30 | Karen Organization of Minnesota, 2353 Rice Street, Suite 240, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
File your taxes for FREE at KOM!

Karen National Day
2018-02-10 11:00 - 18:00 | Johnson Senior High School, 1349 Arcade Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
*Location changed to Johnson Senior High School on Arcade Street
Join us on Saturday, February 10th for the 70th Anniversary of Karen National Day! The day commemorates the demonstration on February 11, 1948 when Karen people demanded their own homeland.
The main program will be from 11AM-1PM and includes speeches by the Karen National Union Chairperson and Secretary, who are visiting from the Karen State of Burma. The main program also includes three Karen don dance performances, a Karen bamboo dance, a Mon dance and a Karenni dance.
After the main program there will be a free lunch.
Please stay from 3-6PM for a discussion with the KNU leaders about the National Ceasefire Agreement and to learn about what is happening now in the Karen State.

Ice Fishing Workshop
2018-01-27 08:30 - 14:00 | Lake McCarrons, 1795 Rice Street, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
