Chao Rothberg and a distinguished group of influential women will be recognized at an awards celebration on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. These women will share their wisdom on leadership, community service, mentorship, and the power women have to change the world.
The recipients include politicians, technology, business titans, philanthropists, and social justice warriors.
“A new model of delivering homeless outcomes and affordable housing development comes at a price,” Chao Rothberg said. “ This is our principle: Achieving self-sufficiency is priceless.” The services provided through LFCD, under Chao Rothberg’s leadership, continuously expanded throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly responding to the explosion of domestic violence cases, homelessness, and the affordable housing crisis. LFCD graduated upwards of 80 percent of the formerly incarcerated and street homeless, and thousands of Afghan and Ukrainian refugees into self-sufficiency and permanent housing in less than 12 months. Each client was provided a menu of sustainable outcomes starting with comprehensive case management, specialized education and skills training, gainful employment with career pathways, savings and other assets, critical benefits, and improved health conditions—a life filled with new opportunities.
LFCD’s proven comprehensive and integrated delivery model has earned it numerous recognitions including the San Francisco Business Time’s 2023 Community Impact Award, the East Bay Innovation Award Runner Up, the California All Youth Community Access Award, and the California Workforce Development Apprenticeship Award in recent years.
LFCD’s innovative practices include, for example, repurposing a vacant 285-room Motel 6 near Oakland International Airport and a 107-room Vagabond Executive Inn in Downtown Sacramento into a co-located facility with partner providers, dormitory housing, growth sector vocational training such as Certified Nurse Assistant, Network and IT professionals, High School diploma for adults, job placement (including an earn and learn to career placement), health-related programs, among many other services for those who are facing a wide range of obstacles.
LFCD was formed as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 1980 by former refugees from Laos. Today the organization serves individuals from 40 nationalities, delivers specialized client service in 35 languages, and impacts the lives of over 31,000 diverse residents annually in three northern California counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, and Sacramento). Its mission is to advance the well-being of diverse communities through culturally informed employment, housing, asset development, and education. It has served over 500,000 Californians who earn lower incomes.
For more information, contact: Brad Meyers, Resource & Partnership Development Manager, Bmeyer@lfcd.org | (510) 533-8850.
Kathy Chao Rothberg, CEO surrounded by members of its board and staff at the East Bay EDA before the award ceremony.
Oakland, Ca. — Lao Family Community Development earns runner-up position in the Community Impact Category at the 10th Annual East Bay Innovation Awards ceremony, held Thursday evening. August 4th, at the Fox Theater in Oakland. The program is designed to recognize extraordinary companies who embrace the use and implementation of innovation in their manufacturing, products, services, design, and information; it is sponsored by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.
“We are proud to earn the runner-up placement in this category. The pool of finalist was very impressive! It acknowledges the positive impact that Lao Family programs are having on the diverse disadvantaged populations we serve,” said Kathy Chao Rothberg, LFCD’s Chief Executive Officer. “It further acknowledges our continuous commitment to a culture of high-quality and innovative programming and partnerships for the last four decades.”
Lao Family Community Development, headquartered in Oakland with satellite locations in San Pablo and Sacramento, delivers a carefully-designed holistic Integrated Service Delivery Model that combines a roadmap with individualized case plans, interventions, and best practices resulting in rapid financial self-sufficiency and permanent housing attainment among the diverse and unique populations it serves in the East Bay and the Sacramento region. Its innovative housing and workforce programs continue to dramatically transform the way families are able to earn livable income and exit out of homelessness into permanent housing that is affordable in less than six months.
The Lao Family assisted nearly 4,000 individuals, including 880 households, to stabilize, earn and secure income, save, bank, improve their credit and move into existing permanent housing in the marketplace between January 2017 to July 2022. From 2006 to 2022, Lao Family’s team grew from 22 to more than 132 and its revenue growth from $2M to $31M.
The Lao Family was formed as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 1980. Today the organization serves individuals from 40 nationalities, delivers case management service in 35 languages, offers7 days a week service in some locations and impacts the lives of nearly 31,000 annually in three northern California counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, and Sacramento). Its mission to advance the wellbeing of diverse communities through culturally-informed employment, housing, and education has served over 400,000 Californians. LFCD concentrates on five core service areas: 1) adult education and vocational training, 2) youth education, leadership, and career exploration, 3) financial coaching/asset development, 4) work supports and health access, and 5) affordable housing, home ownership and economic development activities.
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For more information, visit lfcd.org, follow us on Facebook, and contact: Kathy Chao Rothberg, CEO | KRothberg@lfcd.org | (510) 334-4826.
What: To help youth graduate from high school, continue to post-secondary educational programs, apply to credentialed occupational training programs, and find employment with career advancement on the path to self-sufficiency.
When: Friday, August 6, 2021, 10:00 am to 3:00pm
Where: LFCD’s CARE Community Center (free lunch included), 2325 E. 12th Street, Oakland, CA
Images: 100-120 youth ages 16-24; educational, training and networking event. Target population is composed of ethnically and racially diverse, low- income youth, refugees, and immigrants who struggle to transition to higher education and meaningful long-term employment.
Interviews: LAO Family Community Development CEO Kathy Rothberg available either on-site (during the event) or by phone/Zoom. To set an appointment with Kathy, call: (510)533-8850. 16-24 ethnically and racially diverse, low- income youth, refugees, and immigrants.
About: Lao Family Community Development
MISSION To advance the economic mobility and well-being of diverse communities through culturally informed specialized employment, housing, education, and support services.
APPROACH Lao Family Community Development (Lao Family) values a comprehensive, integrated service model that engages individuals and family participation to achieve self-sufficiency and stability goals. Lao Family’s comprehensive approach strives to meet the immediate basic, long-term, and special needs of affected community members. Customized and holistic service plans incorporate workforce, education, housing, and support services, including health, income, and savings, to foster positive outcomes.
