Saving a Hmong community resource
A night at Kajsiab House
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State
of Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
For more Asian American
stories in Wisconsin, click:
widows of veterans, and adults who have suffered severe health problems
because of their services and sacrifices in America’s “Secret War” in Laos
from 1961-1975. According to Kajsiab House, a high percentage of these elders
suffer health problems including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder,
anxiety, and chronic pain. Some also continue to struggle with assimilation into
American society, facing language, cultural, and transportation barriers.
Vang says that for many Hmong elders, Kajsiab House has served as a light in
the darkness. Participant testimonials vouch for the program, dubbing Kajsiab
House a safe haven.
        “When I first came [to the U.S.] I was depressed and full of worries,” an 88-
By Laura Salinger

        Hmong elders and youth, community
members, and notable Madison area leaders
gathered for the fundraiser “A Night at
Kajsiab House” on May 21 to show support
for the program and celebrate its many
successes. Hmong story quilts hung from the
walls while Hmong music played over the
loudspeakers. Dinner was served, Hmong
performers took to the stage, and Madison
area leaders Dane County Executive
Kathleen Falk and Mental Health Center of
Dane County Executive Director Bill Greer
spoke to the crowd about Kajsiab House.
The night, although celebratory, was
paradoxically bittersweet. Kajsiab House
has long served the Hmong community’s
most fragile members and yet, like many
social services, its funds are drying up.
       “This year, we lost $100,000 from the
state,” program manager Doua Vang says.
He hopes that “A Night at Kajsiab House”
will bring visibility to the program. “Tonight,
we want to publicize the program to the
community.”
       Kajsiab House has somewhat flown
under the radar in Madison. That is because
program leaders want to deal considerately
with the sometimes-struggling community
(Top left and above) Hmong elderly women;
former MSSD Board Member Bill Keys is a
longtime volunteer at Kajsiab House
(Top right and above) A woman sells Hmong
crafts at the event to raise money for Kajsiab
House; Hmong quilted throw pillows on sale;
(Below) : a group of Hmong elders;
members they serve, many who
face sensitive mental health
issues.
       Kajsiab House participants
are Hmong-American veterans,
year-old female participant asserts. “My world was so small and my day was so long.” That, however, was before she found Kajsiab House.
The participant went on to laud the program and extol its positive impact on her life.
      Former Madison school board member Bill Keys, a long-time Kajsiab House volunteer, said he will continue to support the program.
      “It is a fantastic service that the community offers for people that have served our country in the Secret War and were victimized
because of that,” Keys says. “Kajsiab House provides them a place to be and to learn about the new country they live in.”
      Kajsiab (Ga shee’ ah) means the relief of stress and tension from worrying about the safety of loved ones. A program of the Mental
Health Center of Dane County, Kajsiab House was founded in 2000 with the goal of increasing accessibility and acceptability of mental
health services for Dane County’s Southeast Asian population. At the core of programming is the belief that Hmong culture and traditions
must be interwoven with programming in order to create a safe and expressive environment. Another program goal is to help Hmong elders
live successfully in a new society.
Laura Salinger is a
freelance writer based in
Madison, Wis.