Karen Organization of Minnesota

The mission of the Karen Organization of Minnesota is to build on the strengths of refugee and immigrant communities and remove barriers to achieving economic, social, and cultural wellbeing.

The Karen Organization of Minnesota was founded in 2008 by refugees from Burma. As the first Karen-led social service agency in the U.S., KOM is often consulted by Minnesota and statewide agencies to learn about how to best serve refugees from Burma. KOM offers employment services, social services, community health, and youth development programs to over 3,000 refugees and immigrants each year. Most of our staff and board members are from the communities we serve, giving us a unique ability to provide culturally responsive services and keep pace with the community’s changing needs.

Our Community

More than 20,000 Karen people live in Minnesota, making it the largest Karen community in the country. Minnesota is also home to more than 2,000 refugees from other ethnic groups in Burma, including Karenni and Mon. Refugees from Burma come to Minnesota for the same reasons many people do: to find good jobs, access high-quality education, and connect with a strong community. While most of our clients are from Burma, we also serve clients from areas including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Southeast Asia, East Africa, and Latin America who now live in the Twin Cities.

Our Impact

KOM is a leading service provider helping over 3,000 refugees and immigrants each year achieve their goals. Our success is due to:

• Programs designed by and for the community
• Providing wraparound support
• Strong partnerships