Creating cultural connections for new generations

Few places have culture at the forefront of their operation quite like the Hmong American Friendship Association (HAFA). Located off Vliet Street near Washington Park, the HAFA headquarters showcases the history of Hmong culture in every nook and cranny. Quilts hang prominently, artwork lines the walls, and students learn traditional dances in some of the most stunning costumes in the entire city.

The history of the Hmong relationship with the United States dates back to the 1960s, when Hmong people aided American forces in the Vietnam War. When the United States withdrew its troops from Vietnam, the Hmong people were persecuted and driven from their homes. Seeking asylum, Hmong people ultimately settled in western Europe, Australia, and the United States over the ensuing decades.

Upon reaching Wisconsin, the Hmong people found ways to maintain ties to their culture in a new land, leading to the formation of HAFA in 1983. For over 40 years, the association has provided community members with services to remain connected with their history, notably through its youth dance program, which is funded by Milwaukee Recreation’s Partnership for the Arts & Humanities grant. The grant is an allocation of $1.7 million by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to support after-school and summer arts and humanities-related opportunities for youth and families.

HAFA has received funding from Milwaukee Recreation every year since 2016-17 to support the salaries of full-time staff members and the wages for dance instructors. The program continues to flourish as a result.

“MPS and Milwaukee Recreation have done such a great job supporting HAFA in creating a safe space for Hmong people,” HAFA youth coordinator Lue Vue said.

The HAFA dance group is open to young people ages 4-18, serving a full range of elementary, middle, and high school students.

“HAFA’s programs align with the Partnership’s focus on using arts and humanities to foster community engagement,” Milwaukee Recreation manager Erin Fonseca said. “Their dance performances captivate audiences through a vibrant blend of cultural preservation, technical mastery, elaborate costumes, and strong community connection."

Through their performances on stages such as the Marcus Performing Arts Center, the organization exposes new audiences to the Hmong culture. The group is always one of the most popular performances and powerful presences at Milwaukee Recreation’s biennial Partnership for the Arts & Humanities Showcase event.

In addition to dance, HAFA has expanded its opportunities for youth to learn about traditional Hmong village life through the creation of both a mural and replica of a Hmong village, Hmong languages, and the support of the wider community through its food pantry and job placement services, providing essential resources to families in need.

A close-knit culture not only keeps the Hmong community together in Milwaukee, it allows the HAFA programs to run smoothly throughout the year. Because the families and friends within the Hmong community are so interconnected, Vue was able to spearhead a ride-sharing program that has significantly boosted attendance numbers among some of HAFA’s youth clubs.

“All of these elements make HAFA a natural fit for Partnership funding,” Fonseca said.

As the decades pass since the initial wave of Hmong people immigrated to the United States, organizations such as HAFA become even more essential in creating those connections across generations. Milwaukee Recreation’s involvement via grant funding only furthers the department’s mission to promote memorable and educational experiences for all ages and abilities.