In troducing Hong Net, Lynn city Cambodian-American councilor-at-large

Hong Net, Lynn city councilor-at-large

About Hong NET

I am passionate about promoting public safety through strong neighborhood-police solutions and opportunities for youth, investing in our public schools and developing new strategies for engaging parents in their children’s education, building a unified Lynn where all communities are part of the conversation about the future of the city, and nurturing economic growth through strengthening local businesses and improving Lynn’s regional image.

At age 15, I arrived in the United States with nothing but a plastic bag of belongings and a broken arm. Separated from my family during the war in Cambodia, I was taken in by a foster family in Massachusetts. With the support of my adopted family and my own personal strength, I advanced my education and have worked hard to provide for my family ever since.

I graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School in 1988 and from UMass Amherst in 1992 with a B.S. in Political Science. I now live in Lynn with my wife, Thavra, and children, Anna and William, who are both students in Lynn public schools. We are committed to the City of Lynn for the long haul and want the best for our family and all residents of Lynn.

I have many years of experience working with non-profit organizations in Lynn and elsewhere to promote civic engagement and to empower people of all walks of life to reach their full potential. Currently, I work as a child support enforcement officer at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. I have worked as a youth and family case manager in Lynn at the South Cove Community Health Center, was an assistant coach for Lynn Youth Soccer, and taught citizenship classes in Lowell. Working on job creation with the Cambodian Council and the rebuilding projects for a non-profit organization serving in Cambodia are other ventures that I have been a part of. I was also able to found the International Language Center to teach ESL and computer skills to over 800 students.

I believe that local government is strongest when all voices are included in decision-making. I am passionate about:

• Education: developing new strategies for parent engagement; investing in our public schools
• Public Safety: strengthening community-police relations; restoring School Resource Officers; increasing after-school programs for youth
• A Unified Lynn: promoting diverse civic involvement; encouraging cultural expression and events; improving inter-cultural communication
• Economic Growth: strengthening local businesses; encouraging new businesses; improving Lynn’s image

For additional information please visit: http://votehong.net/home.html