Valley's Hmong refugees face new struggle

Posted at 10:12 PM on Saturday, Apr. 17, 2010
By John Ellis / The Fresno Bee

Almost four years ago, Ying Yang and his wife, Bee Lor, left a Thai refugee camp and followed thousands of their fellow Hmong refugees to the United States.

It's been a struggle for the Fresno couple as each works to assimilate into American society and secure that most basic of necessities in this nation -- a job.

Now Yang and Lor, as well as more than a thousand other refugees who came to the Fresno area from Wat Tham Krabok, face a deadline: A five-year lifetime limit on welfare could soon cut off payments they need to meet basic needs.

The first wave of refugees began hitting the five-year limit last June and each month more are seeing their welfare assistance end.
"These refugees really need help," said Pao Ly, a staff analyst with the Fresno County Department of Social Services.

30% have been able to find jobs or earn enough to cover basic expenses.

The journey: At a glance

2003: The United States agrees to take about 15,000 Hmong refugees stuck in political limbo at a Buddhist temple after other refugee camps in Thailand closed.

June 2004: The first wave of refugees come to Fresno and other cities across the nation.

2006: More than 2,300 refugees — about 45% of them adults — have come to Fresno County.

Like other refugees, Yang took advantage of what the local agencies had to offer. He tried to learn English and searched for a job. About a year after arriving in Fresno, he landed a job carving designs into wooden doors. But the $8 hourly wage did not cover expenses for his wife and the seven children.

Currently, a family of three needs a full-time wage earner receiving $9 per hour to get off cash aid, Ly said.

As the economy declined in 2008, Yang was laid off. He collected unemployment, but it still was not enough to cover expenses.

A few months later, Lor found a job as a cook for a catering firm. But she, too, didn't make enough to make ends meet and eventually was laid off early this year. She now receives unemployment.

Both continue to look for jobs, but aren't having much luck. They aren't even landing interviews.
Experts say Hmong refugees like Yang and Lor who speak little English likely will lose out on work to those who speak the language.
"I'm not sure I will be able to catch on to the English language as well as the younger generation," Yang said through an interpreter.
A critical limit
Compared to some, Yang and Lor are lucky. Though they have never been able to completely get off government welfare aid -- known as CalWORKs -- they will not hit the lifetime limit for 14 months.
Some refugees began hitting the lifetime welfare limit last summer. Each month, more reach the end of their welfare benefits, though food stamps continue and, possibly, some medical benefits.
The situation hasn't yet reached a crisis stage, probably because extended family members in better financial shape have stepped in to help, aid workers said. Some Wat Tham Krabok refugees have left California and headed to places like Minnesota and Alaska, where there are more jobs opportunities that fit their skills.
Yang and Lor are apprehensive about the end of their welfare benefits, and family members who helped out when they arrived in 2006 might not be able to next year unless the economy improves.
"We think about it all the time," Yang said of the end of their benefits. "If me and Bee couldn't pay for our finances, we wouldn't know where to turn because our family members have their own families to take care of."
Stanley hopes employers will take advantage of a Fresno County subsidized employment program known as "80/20."
The program -- which primarily uses federal stimulus funding -- will cover 80% of all costs associated with hiring and employing people who are on welfare. That includes salary and benefits.
But the program ends Sept. 30, which prompted Stanley to say employers have a "golden few months" to save on recruitment costs and help refugees.
At this point, Stanley said, the situation is turning critical for most of the refugees of Wat Tham Krabok, who arrived in Fresno with much fanfare.
The Hmong are eager to work, Stanley said, but the work isn't there -- and month by month, neither is welfare assistance.
"If ever you want to help refugees, please help in the next few months," Stanley said. "This is a very critical time."

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