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| 1/28/2009 | Email this article • Print this article | LISC Careership Graduates Moving to a New Level
By Amy Doeun
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| Kaying Thao |
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| May Lee Yang, Kaying Thao and Cynthia Youngvang and other LISC graduates. |
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On the first Friday in December May Lee Yang, Kaying Thao and Cynthia Youngvang markeed the symbolic move to the next level of their careers with their graduation from the LISC (Local Initiative Support Corporation) Careership Program. The graduation was held at Neighborhood House.
Entertainment for the event was provided by 2006 graduate Jamla Pettiford. Pettiford was interested in a supportive housing program for woman and children that had been homeless. She did her careership at New Foundations, a housing and support community for people who have been homeless or dealt with alcohol and drug abuse on the eastside of St. Paul. She is also quite well-known in the music scene.
1999 graduate Natalie Johnson Lee also participated in the program. Lee is an executive coach for Cameron and Associates. LISC hired this firm on a consulting basis. Natalie Johnson Lee is a former Minneapolis city council member.
Barb Jeanetta of LISC invited each of the graduates to come up and share their goals.
May Lee Yang has always been, "the doer in direct service." For her goal of moving to a more leadership, management role she worked with Selby Area Community Development Corporation; helping to develop a "Cultural heritage district." This area is known for the influence of African Americans. May Lee Yang lead a committee of artists, "in going about planning an attractive street with options around music and culture." To finish her careership May Lee Yang worked with Dr. Mai Moua of Leadership Paradigm, a Hmong women's professional network. She "hopes to find paid work in that same kind of venue," and has applied for a Bush leadership fellowship.
Jeanetta said, "We try to have a sense of where they [program participants] would like to go and line them up with people or job openings that fit. We are always on the lookout. 73% of our grads have found jobs in the field. People come in with talents, and have interests and go after them. They get training that is very useful for taking that next step."
Kaying Thao has always worked in youth development activities. She also wanted to move to more management and planning projects. She worked with Payne Lake Community Partners. This organization is similar to LISC in formulating promising strategies, providing support and research. Thao worked trying to build a better home buyer research network, and engage cultures and communities of color. She has decided that she needs more education and has applied to the Humphrey Institute. She is also looking for work. There is a possibility that she will intern at LISC during her schooling.
Thao said in her own words, "When I applied for the Careership, I knew I was interested in a leadership position in an organization that could connect communities to resources and ideas to help them design and direct their own social and physical improvements. I even mentioned the Dept of Housing & Urban Development as a possibility. Janayah Bagurusi and Barb Jeanetta at LISC helped me keep focused on my goal and introduced me to many people, events, and workshops that expanded my understanding of the field and its possibilities. Sam Grant, our instructor at Metro State, fed my passion around doing this work in a racially and economically just manner. If I get accepted into the Humphrey Institute this fall, I look forward to further learning and the credentials it will help me gain for landing a great job in community development."
Cynthia Youngvang, "came to the program with quite a bit of experience," Jeanetta said. This included her work with WISE (Women's Institute for Self Empowerment). She wanted to, "transition to a career in the broader community. She didn't want to be put in a box. Was there a place for her in larger mainstream community development?" In September she decided to relocate to Seattle. Since moving there she has been, "very resourceful." LISC continues to provide support and contacts. Jeanetta said, "She doesn't want to take anything that takes her on a different path."
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St. Paul, MN
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