Iu Mien Community Services (IMCS) was founded in 1994 by traditional Iu Mien community leaders who envisioned a unified and systematic approach to preserving Iu Mien culture and addressing the challenges facing Sacramento’s growing Iu Mien community.
The Iu Mien are a traditionally non-literate Southeast Asian hill tribe who began arriving in the United States in the late 1970s after being displaced by the Vietnam War. Many families arrived as refugees with limited English skills, little formal education, and few resources to help them adjust to life in a new country. In response to these needs, IMCS incorporated and received tax-exempt status in 2001. Since its founding, IMCS has built a strong record of providing trusted, culturally and linguistically responsive assistance to the Iu Mien community.
Today, IMCS serves youth, seniors, adults, and families throughout the Sacramento region. Our programs promote health and wellness, youth development, food access, education, cultural preservation, and community connection. We help community members understand and access essential services while reducing language, cultural, and technology barriers that can prevent them from receiving support.
Our Healthy Village Senior programs provide a welcoming space where older adults can exercise, share meals, build friendships, participate in educational activities, and stay connected to their culture. These gatherings help reduce social isolation and give seniors a sense of belonging. Through culturally appropriate outreach and trusted relationships, we also connect seniors and families with health information, public benefits, food resources, and other community services.
Our youth programs provide safe and supportive spaces where young people can strengthen their confidence, develop leadership skills, explore their cultural identity, and build meaningful relationships with peers and caring adults. Activities include mentoring, mental wellness education, cultural enrichment, media and storytelling, and hands-on learning opportunities. These programs encourage youth to use their voices, share their stories, and become future leaders in their families and community.
IMCS also addresses food insecurity by connecting families with groceries, fresh produce, and culturally familiar foods. We recognize that meaningful food assistance must respect the traditions, preferences, and dignity of the people receiving it.
Our impact goes beyond the number of programs we provide. We help seniors feel less alone, give young people a safe place to belong, connect families with essential resources, preserve cultural knowledge, and ensure that the Iu Mien community has a voice in decisions that affect its future. Each year, hundreds of community members receive support through our programs, outreach, events, and partnerships.
After more than 30 years of service, IMCS remains committed to honoring the strength and resilience of the Iu Mien people while helping every generation thrive.
Please visit unitediumien.org to learn more about our programs and services.