SEDC SEA Celebrates Grand Opening of New Office

Although many lifelong city residents may not have heard their name, the Socio-Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians has had a home in Woonsocket for nearly 14 years. That may be because the warm group of dedicated directors and volunteers have been too busy knocking down cultural and language barriers to provide assistance to this underserved community to make their presence known. 

The center aims to to promote the evolution of healthy and productive citizens among people with roots in Southeast Asia by facilitating their transition to life in America while cultivating their heritage; and to encourage their involvement in the design and implementation of efforts that support economic development, family harmony, and community well-being.

With estimated 18,000 to 20,000 Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees living in Rhode Island, the need for their work is clear. Volunteers at SEDC SEA provide translation services; education including ESL, GED and citizenship classes for children and adults; tax assistance and voter registration services; family support services and assistance for victims of crime and violence.

The Woonsocket office, started by Ondone Chatharangsy, a Southeast Asian refugee, has quietly operated from a rental space at for more than a decade, serving one of the state's highest populations of Southeast Asians, second only to Providence. By integrating members of the SEA community into the organizational structure, like Program Directors Xong Yang and Vimala Phongsavanh, the office provides a familiar and welcoming face to many who otherwise could become overwhelmed by American laws and culture.

In 2011, the group has much to celebrate. More than 300 residents have walked through their doors over the years and in June, the organization found a new home at 727 Front St. in the Heritage Place plaza owned by . Through a partnership with NeighborWorks, SEDC SEA secured the space for the low cost of maintenance and utility fees.

As SEDC SEA moves forward, it may be such partnerships that help to carry them and the Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian and Vietnamese communities they serve, into the next phase. In addition to the roughly 25 Southeast Asians that are part of the organization, volunteers and community members crowded into the new space Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the office's Grand Opening.

"It's community here, it's family," said Executive Director Channavy Chhay. "The volunteers here help to preserve the traditions and the culture, not change people."

Volunteers, like 75-year-old Rosemary Kavanagh, have embraced the culture and kept the office accessible and welcoming. Kavanagh is a former nun who once taught at St Clare's in Woonsocket and has volunteered with SEDC SEA for the past 12 years. As the diverse group gathered Tuesday morning Kavanagh interspersed introductions with Laotian language. A buffet large enough to feed nearly 100 people included traditional Laotian dishes, such as fried bananas and homemade eggrolls, mixed with local favorites such as meatpie.    

"I love Woonsocket, it's my favorite city in the state," Kavanagh said. As two 21-year-old girls, who arrived from Laos just two weeks ago, prepared to leave the event, Kavanagh ran off to pack up boxes of food for the newcomers to take home. Like most clients, the girls came to the organization through word-of-mouth.

 "We have 300 clients coming through this office," said Chhay. "It speaks to the needs of the community. Why are people not showing up to the doors of other social services? It's the acceptance here. It's about feeling comfortable, seeing others like you and building confidence. This is why."