Photos from 2nd Annual Youth Conference in Sacramento

Lao Family was proud to host our 2nd Annual Southeast Asian Youth Empowerment Symposium at China Pearl Restaurant today.  About 100 people attended the event. 

Special guest and keynote speaker Sophia Scherman, the Mayor of Elk Grove, shared the inspirational story of her life and how she overcame her background as a child of a migrant farmworker family, a lack of education, and a number of other difficulties and hardships to make it where she is today, a civic and community leader who is passionate about helping other people by being involved at the local level in government, business, and volunteering. 

Youth also heard from Detective John Fan and Melissa McDougle of the Sacramento Police Department's Gang Task Force, about gang violence and how to prevent being a victim of crimes.

Dr. Serge Lee, a social work research professor at California State University, Sacramento and Michelle Lyn Saeteurn, MSW a student persuing a career in social work spoke to the youth about higher education.

Melissa de la Cruz, a Youth Specialist at the Lemon Hill One Stop Career Center, talked to youth about employment and career choices

Sacksith Ekkaphanh & Julia Saelee are older youth who delivered a workshop about identity.

Thanks to all our speakers for sharing their passion, interest, and concern for the empowerment of young people.

Thanks to everyone who made this year's conference possible, especially our sponsors: 

SETA/Sacramento Works
Cal-EMA
Wells Fargo Bank
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Mary @ A & M Florist & Bridal
Phil @ Hannibal’s Catering & Events
Jerry Haws @ Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Thanks to Lao Family staff who helped plan the event, especially Sean and Cha!