About SeAM

Following the Vietnam War, many people of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam fled persecution in their homelands and eventually made their way from refugee camps to the Twin Cities. In 1981, some Lutheran pastors and lay people responded to the many new refugees arriving in St. Paul by founding Southeast Asian Ministry (SeAM) as a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization. Over the years the needs of the refugees have changed, as have the programs of SeAM accordingly, but our mission statement remains the same: "A faith-based ministry serving people of diverse cultures new to our community as they strive to achieve self-reliance."

Current programs include the Capitol Hill English School, the Christmas Friendship Program, quilt distribution, support for Pan Dau, a parish nurse program, a social/recreational program for isolated refugee elders, educational presentations, and advocacy. Click on the “Our Programs” link for more information. As more and more immigrants and refugees call the Twin Cities their new home, we both offer ongoing support to those who have been here for several years and look forward to the opportunity to serve the newly-arrived through both established and new programs.

SeAM's financial support comes from individuals, congregations, the St. Paul Area Synod, and grants from churches, foundations, and the government.