Close-knit after years of meetings and organizing by long-time Family Advocate, Soady Ouch, members of the Khmer Community Group enjoyed learning and socializing together, as well as sharing needs and ways to meet them. For years they came together to:

Learn about programs and services in Lowell from free health care to community events and voter registration
Share individual needs that are not easily met by existing services such as offering support to a struggling young family, or translating mail from English to Khmer
Plan and coordinate social events, like Khmer New Year

After Soady, Mera Som supported this group. Mera also held office hours at the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association for community members seeking information about health insurance options and can help clients make referrals for other needed services. Mera helped members discover unspoken needs, such as lack of comfort with technology and intersects with Lowell agencies on their behalf.

While Lowell Alliance staff doesn’t currently maintain this group, these members are still well connected to the CMAA network. This demonstrates our collective ability in community partnerships to remain flexible and connected even as changes come and go.