History of IMAA

The IMAA Community Center

Map to the IMAA Community Center

Our History

1980s
Mien people began settling in the Seattle area after migrating from Laos and Thailand.

1984
The Yiu Mien Association was founded.

1998
The single-family home at 3925 S. Bozeman St. was purchased by Weun Pao Saelee, Thawn Quang Saelee, and community members.

1998
The Lao Highland Association was formed under the leadership of Director Chu Yang. The organization operated an after-school youth tutoring program serving Mien, Hmong, and Khmu students and advocated for funding from the City of Seattle and King County to build a shared cultural center for the Mien, Hmong, and Khmu communities on this property.

1998–2001
Meuy Poo Saelee and Weun Choun Yang assumed leadership of the Lao Highland Association and successfully secured grants from King County and the City of Seattle to construct the IMAA building. During this period, the organization’s name was changed to the Iu-Mien American Association (IMAA).

2001
The property at 3925 S. Bozeman St. was rezoned from single-family to multifamily use.

2003–2012
Meuy Poo Saelee served as Director of the Lao Highland After-School Enrichment Program.

2004
A new accessory building was constructed on the property.

2009
IMAA was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the leadership of Vuen Phan.

2012
Ownership of the property was transferred from Weun Pao Saelee and Thawn Quang Saelee to IMAA.

2012–2014
Vuen Phan became Director of the After-School Program under IMAA. During this time, Yao Fow and Saeng Luang launched an Elder Care Program.