Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Cambodians

Cambodian Family’s annual fundraising dinner set for 9/20

Posted on by Posted in Cambodians, Charities, Westminster, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The Cambodian Family invites you to support their efforts in “Empowering Families and Building Community” on Friday, September 20, 2013 from 6-9pm at The Grand Garden in Westminster. To RSVP, click here.

For over 33 years, The Cambodian Family has helped thousands of Orange County’s most vulnerable members of society achieve greater health, knowledge, and success, largely due to our dedicated staff, volunteers, partners, and funders. Over the years, they have successfully managed more than $25 million of public and private funding and have established deep roots in our community. Continue reading→

Convict who escaped from Theo Lacy Jail caught in Oceanside

Posted on by Posted in Cambodians, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Saith Na

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced today in a press release that “at approximately 5:30 a.m., Saith Na, the inmate that escaped from Theo Lacy Jail on Friday, March 1, 2013 was captured.”

Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department followed up on information that Na was in the Oceanside area. He was located in a motel in Oceanside and taken into custody without incident. Continue reading→

Local businessman salutes the Cambodian Family at their fundraiser

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Local Entrepreneur Salutes The Cambodian Family in Its Annual Fundraiser

By Sophin Zoe Pruong-McCreery

Santa Ana, CA — Those who have not met Manny Sok before would not think to look twice when passing him on the street. He has an unassuming nature, a humility of stature, and a quiet quality to his gait. When he speaks, his personable nature shines through, by way of his sparkling smile and earnest eyes. To listen to his story of resilience and persistence is to be inspired to share it.

Sok is the founder and owner of Angkor Clothing, a company his brothers and friends started from the garage of their modest home in Orange County, California. Angkor Clothing has a line of everyday casual wear and modern urban attire. His unique designs are emblazoned on T-shirts, mini-Ts, hats, bags, and bracelets. The style of his work is bold and unapologetic. Continue reading→

The Cambodian Family’s 2nd Annual Fundraiser set for 9/27

Posted on by Posted in Cambodians, Charities, Entertainment, Loretta Sanchez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Cambodian Family 2nd Annual Fundraising Event is set for Thursday, September 27, 2012, from 6:00pm until 9:00pm, at 1626 E. 4th Street, in Santa Ana.

The Cambodian Family would like to invite you to attend our Second Annual Fundraising Dinner. Please join us as we “Continue our Tradition of Service to the Community.”

U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Dr. Nak Chhiv and the Capital Group Companies will be honored. Continue reading→

Cambodian New Year Celebration set for April 15, at Jerome Park

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Cambodians, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Join the Cambodian Family in celebrating the Year of the Dragon at this year’s Cambodian New Year Celebration, on Sunday, April 15, 2012, from 9:00am until 1:00pm, Jerome Park, located at 726 South Center Street, in Santa Ana, featuring:

  • Religious Buddhist Ceremony
  • Cambodian Traditional Dances
  • Free resources and screenings

Any and everyone is welcomed. This event is FREE. Parking is available on a first come first serve basis. We suggest you carpool and arrive early. Continue reading→

Donate to this year’s Santa Ana Cambodian Families holiday toy drive

Posted on by Posted in Asians, Cambodians, Charities, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

It’s that time of year!!!  The Cambodian Family Youth Program is hosting a toy drive! We are short some toys this year. If you would like to donate to our program, drop by our Youth Program.  This year’s Goal: 70 toys,

Here’s what we’re looking for: Continue reading→

Cambodian Family Fundraiser Dinner on Nov. 10, in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Asians, Cambodians, Charities, Entertainment, Food, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Cambodian Family is hosting their First Annual Fundraiser Dinner, on Thursday, November 10.  The theme is “Celebrate 30 Years of Community Service.”

The event will start at 6 p.m.with a reception and silent auction, followed at 7 pm by the program and dinner. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Cambodian New Year celebration today

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Asians, Cambodians, Dance, Entertainment, Health and Medical, music, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Join The Cambodian Family and the Orange County Cambodian Buddhist Organization in this year’s Cambodian New Year Celebration.

When: Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

What: FREE food, games, entertainment, religious ceremony and more!

Location: The Cambodian Family, at 1626 E. Fourth St., in Santa Ana, CA

Event Schedule:

9:00 – 10:40 am – Buddhist Ceremony (inside); Games and Information Booths (outside)

10:40 – 11:10 am – Rice offering (inside); Games and Information Booths on hold (outside)

11:10 – 11:30 am – Buddhist Ceremony continue (inside); Games and Information Booths continue (outside)

11:30 – 11:45 am – Lunch; Games and Information Booths continue

11:45 – 1:00 pm – Dance performances and Speech; Games and Information Booths on hold

Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

The SAUSD does not offer their website in other languages – and their ESL links are broken

Posted on by Posted in Cambodians, Education, immigration, Latinos, Santa Ana, Vietnamese, Working Families Leave a comment

Why doesn’t the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) offer their website in additional languages, such as Cambodian, Spanish and Vietnamese?  I just called their Public Information Office and confirmed that they do not offer such a service on their website.  I find that simply astounding.

I checked with other local school districts and found they also don’t offer translation on their district websites, except for Garden Grove Unified, which does offer several options to those who speak other languages.  Click here to see their Spanish resource page.

Irvine Unified does offer a web page with information and resources for parents of children who need to learn English.  Click here to see that page.  They offer information on that page in numerous languages.

What about the SAUSD?  Well, take a look at the graphic atop this post.  That is what you will find when you click on their “Master Plan for English Learners.”   No wonder they have screwed up so badly with English learners that over 1,000 high school seniors per year end up failing the High School Exit Exam!

Click here to read the rest of this post.

The Lighthouse Community Center hosts the Grand Opening of a Sports Field and Community Garden

Posted on by Posted in Cambodians, Charities, Churches and Religion, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, immigration, Latinos, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

By Sophin Zoe Pruong-McCreery
July 31, 2010

Santa Ana, CA—Judging from the huge smile on Nubia’s face, one could not imagine that this 6 year-old girl once lacked a safe, nearby place to play outside of school grounds. Her family resides in the Cornerstone Village, a Santa Ana neighborhood historically known for crime, poverty and dense population. It is home to immigrants from Mexico, Central America, and Cambodia. Today, her wish of a new park came true.

Over 300 people gathered for the Grand Opening of the Lighthouse Community Center (L.C.C.) Sports Field and Community Garden at the northeast corner of Standard & McFadden Avenue on Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 10:00am-12:00pm. Lighthouse Community Center is an outreach of Mariners Church, Irvine, CA.


The new pocket park came to fruition because of the tremendous support and cooperation from city officials, non-profit agencies, and the private sector. This monumental project was the result of months of planning and close collaboration with Councilman Vincent Sarmiento, the City of Santa Ana, Carver Construction, The Grain Project, the private property owner and the local residents of Cornerstone Village.

Although L.C.C. has been offering the Minnie Street area with English classes, after school tutoring, youth groups, and parenting workshops for over 15 years, there was an important element missing: open space. The outdoor area will enable L.C.C. to expand their program to include outdoor activities in this under-served area.

According to the national Trust for Public Land, the City of Santa Ana has very limited open space, with less than an acre of park land for every thousand residents. Now the community can enjoy a beautiful, green sports field with over 9000 square feet of synthetic turf. The lawn is low-maintenance and does not require water so it is considered as an environmentally-friendly material. Presently, the new field is only a temporary solution to the problem; the land is leased to L.C.C. for only 2 years.

Click here to read the rest of this post.

Cambodian Family Center to host a Celebration Potluck on July 29

Posted on by Posted in Asians, Cambodians, Charities, Culture, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Cambodian Complete Count Committee of Orange County, CA (4C-OCC) is hosting a  “Celebration Potluck,” to celebrate the beginning of a new era for Cambodian-Americans in Orange County.  The event is scheduled for July 29, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, at the Cambodian Family Achievement Center, which is located at 1626 E. 4th St., in Santa Ana.

Everyone is invited!

  • Learn about the Cambodian community and what we can do to build each other up.
  • Network with leaders of community-based organizations, businesses, students and volunteers.
  • Conversations in Khmer, Cham & English.
  • Bring an entree, side dish, drinks, or a $3 donation for Pizza.

Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

Correa supports measure recognizing injustice against Italian-Americans during WWII

Posted on by Posted in Cambodians, Civil Rights, Democratic Party, Lou Correa, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Photo from archive: California State Senator Lou Correa at the State Capitol during a press conference

Senator Correa Supports Measure Recognizing Injustice against Italian-Americans during World War II Period

SACRAMENTO, CA- This week, State Senator Lou Correa (Orange County) voted to approve Senate Concurrent Resolution 95 (SCR 95) introduced by Senator Joseph Simitian (Palo Alto). SCR 95 sets forth the Legislature’s formal acknowledgement that the treatment by the U.S. government of thousands of Italian-Americans who lived in this country during the World War II period represented a fundamental injustice. This measure expresses the Legislature’s deepest regrets concerning these acts, as well as its reaffirmation of a commitment to preserving the rights of all people and celebrating their contributions to our nation.

“I commend Senator Simitian for introducing this measure that embodies our promise to defend people’s rights,” said Senator Correa. “As a state we must recognize and take responsibility for the wrongs committed in the past. I believe this measure is an important step in that process.”

While the relocation and internment of Japanese-Americans and Japanese nationals within the United States during World War II period is well known, most history books fail to include the fact that thousands of German-Americans, German nationals, Italian-Americans and Italian nationals also were interned or forced out of their homes into relocation programs.

This measure reflects one of the founding principles of our nation’s constitution: the balance of power within the government is crucial to protect the rights of the people.

During the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Democratic Congress, there were many injustices perpetrated against persons of Italian, German or Japanese ancestry. This discrimination included internment, individual and group exclusion, internee exchanges for Americans held in Germany, deportation, “alien enemy” registration requirements, travel restrictions and property confiscation. A great number of families were separated, and many suffered the loss of their credibility, homes and belongings.

While these injustices were occurring, many German-Americans, Italian-Americans, and Japanese-Americans were fighting for our nation’s freedom abroad, including against their ancestral homelands.

SCR 95 is now in the Assembly for consideration.

Senator Lou Correa represents the 34th District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster. ####

Lina Hamilton
Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Lou Correa, 34th District
(916) 651-4034
lina.hamilton@sen.ca.gov

Cambodian New Year Celebration, Wat Khmer, in Santa Ana, on April 11

Posted on by Posted in Cambodians, Federal Government, Santa Ana, Seniors Leave a comment

Khmer version of the “Show The World We Exist” Census PSA by UCI’s Cambodian Awareness Organization.  Actor: Phanith Sovann.  Song by: Phanith Sovann.  Filmed by: Bossakara Sokhom & Mory Men.  Edited by: Mory Men.

Don’t miss the Cambodian New Year Celebration, Wat Khmer, in Santa Ana.  Sponsored by the 2010 U.S. Census.

Date: Sunday, April 11, 2010

Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Location: Senior Citizen Center Continue reading→

U.S. Census Festival today at Bishop Manor in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Cambodians, Civic Affairs, Federal Government, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Indo-Chinese Muslim Association, in partnership with the Cambodian Family and Team Property Management, will be hosting a U.S. Census Festival today, from 12 noon to 4 pm, at Biship Manor, located at 1001 E. Grant St., in Santa Ana.

There will be games, raffles and prizes.  Bring your family and friends to enjoy lots of fun activities and learn more about the U.S. Census. 

Bring your Census form for any help in filling it out.