Iu Mien Community Services (IMCS) was founded in 1994 by traditional Iu Mien community leaders' intent on developing a unified and systematic approach to preserving the Iu Mien culture and addressing the many problems besetting Sacramento's Iu Mien community. A non-literate Southeast Asian hill tribe, the Iu Mien started arriving in the U.S. in the late 1970s, victims of the Vietnam war. To address the community's many glaring needs, IMCS incorporated and achieved tax exempt status in 2001. Since its founding, it has compiled an impressive record of assistance to the Iu Mien community.
Healthy Village Senior Program
The Healthy Village Senior Program is a culturally responsive aging services initiative designed to improve mental health, social connection, and overall wellness among low-income Iu Mien older adults in Sacramento County. The program addresses key social determinants of health; including social isolation, language barriers, and limited access to culturally appropriate services, through consistent, structured weekly engagement and preventive wellness activities. Seniors receive ongoing emotional support through regular participation and individualized check-ins that promote stability and connection.
Health Village Senior meets twice weekly. On Mondays, senior participates in Tai Chi at Asian Resources Inc., supporting balance, fall prevention and stress reduction. On Tuesdays, the program convenes at the George Sim Community Center for socialization, culturally responsive health education, cognitive exercises, and low-impact physical activities that promote both mental and physical well-being.
S.A.E. Mien Youth Club
The S.A.E. Mien Youth Club empowers youth through meaningful community engagement, cultural education, and access to essential resources. The program is offered after school at George Sim Community Center every other Thursday, and at Mutual Housing at Lemon Hill on the third Tuesday of each month. Through culturally rooted activities, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, the program strengthens leadership development, builds social skills, and promotes positive mental health. By creating a safe and supportive environment, S.A.E. Mien Youth Club helps youth develop confidence, cultural pride, and the skills needed to thrive academically and socially.
Mind Matters Youth Program
The Mind Matters Youth Program addresses mental health challenges by promoting emotional well-being and providing culturally sensitive support to youth. It fosters a safe space for open dialogue about mental health issues to helping to reduce stigma within the community. The program has also been integrated into Will C Wood Middle School and Hiram Johnson High School to create a safe space where students have resources around mental health and suicide prevention. By creating an inclusive environment for mental health discussions, the program has contributed significantly to the emotional resilience of youth in the community.
Food Distribution
IMCS has remained steadfast in addressing food insecurity within the Iu Mien community through its ongoing food distribution program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, monthly food drives replaced in-person gatherings to ensure that seniors and families continued receiving essential food supplies during an unpresented time of isolation and uncertainty. Importantly, IMCS did not end food distribution when the pandemic subsided. Recognizing that food insecurity persisted beyond crisis periods, the organization has continued regular food distribution as a core component of Healthy Village Senior. Nutritious and culturally appropriate foods are distributed during senior program days and through direct outreach to homebound elders, reinforcing our commitment to whole-person wellness.
Iu Mien Student Conference (IMSC) Scholarships
The Iu Mien Student Conference (IMSC) Scholarship Program invests in the next generation of leaders by supporting Iu Mien students in their educational and career pursuits. The program offers two distinct scholarship opportunities:
1) Achievement Scholarship - Awarded to Iu Mien high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, active community involvement, and strong leadership.
2) Health Scholarship - Open to Iu Mien high school seniors and college students pursing a career in the health field.
Funeral Assistance Program
A compassionate program designed to help Iu Mien families honor their loved ones with dignity and cultural tradition. This fund provides essential in-items such as rice, water, napkins, and toilet paper to help ease the burden of funeral costs during a difficult time. serving families throughout the Greater Sacramento Region, this program ensures that support is accessible when its' needed most.