By Joe Stevens, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (California, USA)
LONG BEACH - A Cambodian band blared its folk music in front of 11 veterans dressed in uniform. Some senior citizens and teenagers sat together, enjoying Cambodian iced tea, brownies and egg rolls.
With the United Cambodian Community's doors open to the community, one of the organization's goals was visible for all to see - to bridge the gap between old and young. The UCC is a group designed to help people with any problem they might encounter, and its open house on Wednesday helped get out that message.
"The mission of the UCC in the last 30 years has been to bridge the gap between the Cambodian community and mainstream culture," UCC executive director Sara Pol-Lim said. "We're bringing the Cambodian community into the larger community, and we're giving the community of information out there so they get what they need and make better decisions for their families."
Pol-Lim has been the UCC's executive director for the past 14 months, following some turmoil within the organization. The previous executive director, Dianne McNinch, was dismissed by the organization's board of directors. There also were internal power struggles before that, and the UCC was swindled out of more than $500,000 by John Durocher, who was sentenced to six years in jail last year.
During Pol-Lim's tenure, the UCC appears to have finally put its internal woes behind it and has been focusing on the community's needs.
"We've had our ups and downs, but whatever happened before is over," UCC board member Pichanary Chem said. "Now, the community is back behind us, and we're here to help, especially with programs and activities for youth."
Helping guide youth is one of the UCC's missions, but it also will help anyone, Cambodian or not, in need. It has helped senior citizens with limited English fill out necessary paperwork to get Social Security. It has helped those with mental illness or marital problems seek help, and if it cannot help a particular person, it will direct that person to the appropriate agency.
The UCC also is trying to be the catalyst for Cambodians to integrate into the mainstream community. At the open house, many non-Cambodians attended, including Raymond Chavarria, the UCC's associate/project director.
Chavarria, 48, has a lengthy resume of political and social work in Long Beach. He was hired by the UCC after a recent battle with prostate cancer that made him lose 100 pounds.
"I feel like I have a second life," Chavarria said. "I'm so grateful to be here, learn this culture and experience this beautiful culture. I love what I do. I like to help people, and in Long Beach,
I've helped so many groups, including the black community, gay and lesbian community and Jewish community."
While the Cambodian community has some unique problems, many of their problems are universal. The UCC's members urge the community to go to its headquarters on Anaheim if someone needs help, and the community apparently is responding to the organization.
"It's my duty, but more importantly, my honor to congratulate the UCC on its rebirth," Long Beach City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell said. "This is an anchor on Anaheim, and the community is fortunate to have this organization."
The UCC office is located at 2201 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. It is open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. To 6 p.m. Call 562-433-2490.
joe.stevens@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1281
With the United Cambodian Community's doors open to the community, one of the organization's goals was visible for all to see - to bridge the gap between old and young. The UCC is a group designed to help people with any problem they might encounter, and its open house on Wednesday helped get out that message.
"The mission of the UCC in the last 30 years has been to bridge the gap between the Cambodian community and mainstream culture," UCC executive director Sara Pol-Lim said. "We're bringing the Cambodian community into the larger community, and we're giving the community of information out there so they get what they need and make better decisions for their families."
Pol-Lim has been the UCC's executive director for the past 14 months, following some turmoil within the organization. The previous executive director, Dianne McNinch, was dismissed by the organization's board of directors. There also were internal power struggles before that, and the UCC was swindled out of more than $500,000 by John Durocher, who was sentenced to six years in jail last year.
During Pol-Lim's tenure, the UCC appears to have finally put its internal woes behind it and has been focusing on the community's needs.
"We've had our ups and downs, but whatever happened before is over," UCC board member Pichanary Chem said. "Now, the community is back behind us, and we're here to help, especially with programs and activities for youth."
Helping guide youth is one of the UCC's missions, but it also will help anyone, Cambodian or not, in need. It has helped senior citizens with limited English fill out necessary paperwork to get Social Security. It has helped those with mental illness or marital problems seek help, and if it cannot help a particular person, it will direct that person to the appropriate agency.
The UCC also is trying to be the catalyst for Cambodians to integrate into the mainstream community. At the open house, many non-Cambodians attended, including Raymond Chavarria, the UCC's associate/project director.
Chavarria, 48, has a lengthy resume of political and social work in Long Beach. He was hired by the UCC after a recent battle with prostate cancer that made him lose 100 pounds.
"I feel like I have a second life," Chavarria said. "I'm so grateful to be here, learn this culture and experience this beautiful culture. I love what I do. I like to help people, and in Long Beach,
I've helped so many groups, including the black community, gay and lesbian community and Jewish community."
While the Cambodian community has some unique problems, many of their problems are universal. The UCC's members urge the community to go to its headquarters on Anaheim if someone needs help, and the community apparently is responding to the organization.
"It's my duty, but more importantly, my honor to congratulate the UCC on its rebirth," Long Beach City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell said. "This is an anchor on Anaheim, and the community is fortunate to have this organization."
The UCC office is located at 2201 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. It is open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. To 6 p.m. Call 562-433-2490.
joe.stevens@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1281
1 comment:
Is peter long a part of this now?
How about john Doe and James Doe, are they also went to jail?
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