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Dear Friends,
You are not alone.
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected each and every one of us, our loved ones, communities, businesses, and places of worship in so many ways.
But time and time again, we have witnessed how this crisis has shown how very human we are. Our faults and flaws, yes. But also our capacity for kindness and love.
That said, I would like to share just a brief glimpse of some of the kindness and love the Cambodian Community Association's board members and volunteers have shared - thanks in large part to the generosity of our supporters, Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, and Maine Initiatives.
Please take a moment to read our updates and I hope you find a little inspiration from the work made possible thanks to supporters like you!
Sincerely,
Marpheen Chann
CCAM Co-President
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Over 50 Cambodian families served, including 3 Cambodian families directly affected by Tyson outbreak
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On May 9th, CCAM board members and volunteers coordinated pick-up locations in Saco and Westbrook where Cambodian families could pick-up food, supplies, and diapers. For families who were quarantined or affected by the Tyson outbreak, we were able to make contactless deliveries directly to their doorstep.
We continue to receive requests for aid from Cambodians throughout southern Maine and we will be coordinating pick-ups on Saturdays for the foreseeable future in order to meet the demand.
If you'd like to offer support and be a part of this community effort, you can make a contribution HERE (thank you to our fiscal sponsor Resources for Organizing and Social Change).
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Media Coverage:
WMTW: Relative of infected Tyson employee reacts to plant reopening after a week-long shutdown
“Chann hopes the newly revived organization can overcome physical separation to inspire a sense of community.”
“‘We need everyone to feel safe, to feel welcome, to go seek help,’ said Marpheen Chann."
WMTW: Volunteers deliver care packages to impacted employees of the Tyson meat plant
"Our community came together so much stronger than before," said Chanbopha Himm, the co-president of the Cambodian Community Association of Maine. "I've never seen as much community service."
Portland Phoenix: COVID-19 at Tyson Foods: Portland organizations pledge to support workers
"The association is also putting together care packages containing 25-pound bags of rice, hand sanitizer from Maine Craft Distilling, toilet paper, diapers if needed, and facemasks made from Cambodian sarongs by a community member. These will be distributed to about 50 Cambodian families, focusing on the elderly and low-income people. The group plans to expand the effort with a Maine Initiatives grant."
Portland Phoenix: Cambodian association seeks access to Tyson workers in Portland
"Himm, who is fluent in Khmer, said she has been on the phone with families each evening, sometimes until midnight, answering questions about what they should do to protect themselves and their families."
"Many Cambodians have elderly parents living with them, she said, and one of the common questions from people who have tested positive for the disease is how do I prevent giving it to my parents?"
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Volunteers who speak and/or write Khmer undergo training to assist with unemployment and social assistance
Last Friday, May 8th, we held our first training with Maine Equal Justice Partners on the process of applying for unemployment insurance. Volunteers are already assisting Cambodian families with navigating a process that for many immigrants can be both confusing and intimidating.
This training has also allowed us to launch our initiative to put the COMMUNITY in community association. We believe that a community thrives when people are empowered with the skills and support they need to make an impact. That is why we are focused on not only recruiting volunteers, but equipping them with training and helping to develop leadership skills.
This is not only sustainable in the long-run, but greatly expands the CCAM's capacity to serve our community during this crisis.
If you'd like to volunteer and can speak or write Khmer, please sign up HERE.
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City of Portland, Maine, recognizes April as Genocide Awareness Month
CCAM Co-President Marpheen Chann worked closely with Portland Mayor Kate Snyder, Portland City Councilor Tae Chong, and Mandy Levine, the City of Portland's Workforce Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, to bring forward a proclamation for the City's recognition of April as Genocide Awareness Month.
Included in the proclamation is recognition of the Cambodian Genocide during which nearly 2 million Cambodians were killed by the Khmer Rouge.
The CCAM would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Portland's Mayor and City Council for making the proclamation.
Read the Proclamation HERE.
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CCAM Mentors Cambodian High School Students
Prior to the pandemic, the CCAM engaged with Cambodian students at Deering High School to begin laying a foundation for a formal mentorship program.
The feedback from the school counselor has been positive and only reinforces research that finds that students of color are positively impacted by having mentors, leaders, and teachers that look like them.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 has paused our efforts on this front but we look forward to formalizing our mentorship efforts when the time comes.
In the meantime, if you'd like to support this important work, please make a contribution HERE.
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CCAM Co-Presidents Chanbopha Himm and Marpheen Chann with Deering High School students
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