Cambodian Outreach Project

Cambodian Outreach Project – Provided in partnership with the Cambodian Association of America (CAA), includes CAA staff providing workshops concerning marriage and family issues for Cambodian and Vietnamese and senior services including health education and case management. LSS/SC Long Beach and South Bay Area provides Comprehensive Emergency Assistance and Preparation for Employment Program services for clients.

As we were in the process of planning our program design for our Healthy California Families Program during the summer of 2007, an opportunity developed for a partnership with the Cambodian Association of America (CAA). In August we began discussions and meetings with the Executive Director and staff of the CAA, incorporated in 1975 as a non-profit organization and the oldest and largest Cambodian organization in the United States. Long Beach is home to the largest Cambodian population outside of Cambodia, and there are many needs.

Staff members of the Cambodian Association of America (CAA) have helped us understand some of the challenges and needs. Only 28% of Cambodians can speak English well and only 34% of adults are in the workforce. The Cambodian community in Long Beach continues to struggle with adjusting to life in America. Most Cambodians came to America as refugees with no English ability, less than three years of education, and few marketable job skills. Their traditional source of employment had been rice farming and labor jobs in Cambodia. Consequently, Cambodians have the highest unemployment rate and lowest per capitol income of any Asian group in Los Angeles County.

The Cambodian survivors of the “Killing Fields” have suffered from severe depression and 62% from post-traumatic stress disorder. In Cambodia the balance of power within the family rests solely with the male. Many in the Cambodian Community do not understand the changes in culture and legal ramifications of domestic violence in the United States. It has been said that one of the biggest problems facing the Cambodian community in Long Beach is the different rates of adjustment to life in America of parents and children. Parents growing up in Cambodia often do not have the resources to effectively parent their children in this new society. Family breakdown and problems then contribute to poor school performance and high rates of gang involvement of Cambodian children. Finally, elder adults have long been the most vulnerable segment of the Cambodian community. Although traditionally cared for by their children, in America these seniors are often isolated, lonely, abused, and malnourished.

The mission of the early founders of CAA was to assist Cambodian refugees in Southern California to acculturate to life in America while preserving the Cambodian culture, customs, and values. CAA services have gradually expanded, and the agency currently provides over 15 programs. These programs meet many of the needs and challenges of the Cambodian community and include: Cambodian Community Employment Project, Cambodian Family Literacy Program, Healthy Minds Program, Domestic Violence Treatment, Family Preservation Program, Elderly Adult Services, and Family Strengthening program.

Our partnership with CAA will include Cambodian Association staff providing workshops concerning marriage and family issues for Vietnamese and Cambodians and senior services including health education and case management for Cambodian seniors. These services will be provided primarily at the LSS/SC Long Beach Center. Lutheran Social Services (Long Beach and South Bay Area) will then provide Comprehensive Emergency Assistance and Preparation for Employment services for referrals from the CAA.

Our partnership with the Cambodian Association of America is working very well. Our staff funding comes from our Healthy California Families Program. Many in-kind contributions have already been received from individuals, groups, Thrivent, and churches. Cambodians receiving services at LSS in Long Beach have been extremely grateful for assistance provided. We feel so honored to serve this population and are grateful for the opportunity and privilege to serve Cambodians as well as other Asian groups in Long Beach and surrounding communities in Los Angeles County.

Ruth Foelber

562-599-1321

1611 Pine Avenue

Long Beach, CA 90813

Mon-Thu 8:00 am - 4:00 pm