Congratulations to our November 2025 Grantee, Among The Poppy Seed.. The $1,000 grant will help Hmong men and women share their triumphs in their recovery journeys.

Wand Vue, who applied for the grant, explains in more detail this project. "Bridging Across Mountains (BAM) has had weekly Hmong men's and women's recovery support group meetings since February 2024. Many of the members from the Twin Cities share their journey of triumph through substance-use recovery, mental health, first-generation Hmong-American experiences, refugee and immigration, and intergenerational trauma. With their lived experiences, our project aims to create a 10-week journaling and expressive art to bring their stories to life, where we can share the tapestry of their healing journey from the jungle of Laos to the United States.

This project will be the first of its kind, a booklet that collectively shares the experiences of Hmong women and men through recovery, mental health, and healing. The Hmong culture has long used storytelling to heal and learn from one another. BAM plans to continue these cultural practices through our collective journaling experiences and sharing our stories with our community, creating a road map for individuals with lived experiences and breaking down stigma and shame. BAM chose to name this project Among the Poppy Seed because poppy seed "paj yeeb" has a significant meaning to the Hmong people. Paj Yeeb symbolizes renewal and hope, and we aim to create this master piece to give hope and healing to anyone experiencing recovery and mental health."