By Macy Yang | Hmong Daily News
STOCKTON, CALIF. — On a warm evening at San Joaquin Delta College, Susan Her stood before a room of dignitaries, elected officials and community members as she reflected on the history of the nonprofit she founded 10 years ago.
“I’ve faced discrimination, prejudice and, dare I say, hate. We created this nonprofit to battle all of that and all the injustices and barriers that our community encounters,” the founder and executive director said at the 10-year anniversary celebration on September 14.
“When I was growing up, I felt like I couldn’t be who I was. I was ashamed of my religion. I was ashamed of who I was, and we couldn’t even really speak our language in school because we would be shunned,” continued Her.
Since its founding in 2014, Uplift the Human Spirit has made great advancement in addressing critical issues of poverty, raising awareness about hate and social injustice, and improving the lives and cultural and language divide for Hmong residents in Stockton.
Stockton’s Hmong population is estimated at 7,000 — the third-largest Hmong city in California.
In the last decade, over 600 families have been served by the organization’s food pantry, 380 youths enrolled in the Hmong Youth Leadership program, over $16,000 in scholarship was awarded, and 270 unhoused individuals served. This year, Uplift added new services for older adults.
The well-attended celebration included the presence of several state judges. The evening entertainment included a traditional song sung by Neng Her accompanied by traditional dancing and local musican Ryan Vang.
Providing testament to the depth of impact, David Yang, a 2017 scholarship recipient, spoke at the event about how the nonprofit helped him.
“There’s very few Hmong organizations in San Joaquin County with the strength and vision to preserve their culture and heritage, but I can probably say Uplift has been at the forefront and fulfilling this role,” Yang said.
“Today, we are gathered to celebrate the remarkable work that this group has brought—hope, strength, and a sense of belonging to so many personally. Uplift has been an integral part of mine as well as my family’s life in so many ways,” he added.
Today, Yang is an accomplished second-year medical student at UC Davis School of Medicine.
Mayor Kevin Lincoln recalled how a “hand was extended” when he took office and how Uplift and the mayor’s office worked “collaboratively and together to meet the needs of the community.”
The mayor added, humorously, that he was fortunate that the length on his Hmong outfit was extended.
Former Elk Grove Mayor Steve Ly was touched by Ms. Neng Her’s kwv txhiaj performance earlier in the evening. Ly described his first meeting with Her and Daniel Vang during his first run for office, and how the organization just started out as a conversation.
Ly was reminded of the times when they distributed food together, and when they were out in Sacramento’s sanitation properties meeting the “high number of Southeast Asians, particularly Hmong,” unhoused individuals.
The former mayor concluded his address by encouraging the community to continue supporting the organization and “pay it forward” by volunteering, donating and continuing to speak about the nonprofit’s work.
The evening continued with dignitaries addressing the event.
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
