Project Activity
The Legacy Project addresses multiple emerging issues that are impacting the Cambodian refugee community that no one predicted when we first arrived into the United States. These issues include major health and language disparities among the elders and the education disparities among the youth. The core goal of the program is to bridge the generation gap between refugee Elders who survived the genocide in Cambodia with Cambodian-American high school aged youth whose identity has become static between their traditional Cambodian background and their American upbringing. Elders share personal photos before, during, and after the war. Youth will hear first-hand accounts of the genocide, life in refugee camps, and the resettlement into inner-city Philadelphia. Youth share their own family photos to continue the story and share struggles youth face today with the elders. Both groups share their war stories and learn about each other’s needs. CAGP helps bring resources to help address the health & educational needs for both groups. The Legacy Project Published!
From the Intergenerational Center at Temple University, here is an amazing document featuring research on multiple Intergenerational Programs nationally. Cambodian Association's Legacy Project was one of them! Check it out!
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Youth & Elders Unite!
Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. Youth & Elders took a trip to Washington, D.C. to share issues surrounding Education, Health, and Community in Philadelphia. CAGP Youth & Elders poses in front of the most important building in our nation, the Capitol Building. We had 3 private meetings with White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and Congressman Bob Brady's Office. Special thanks to Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)!
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Emerging Issues
An emerging issue is the growing generation gap between refugee elders who survived the self-genocide of the Khmer Rouge and the American born youth from these refugee & immigrant families. We seek to create a bonding dialogue on heritage and an enriching experience for both groups to learn about each other’s issues. Elders suffer from major health disparities with a recent study by Khmer Health Advocates in Connecticut, 52% of Cambodians suffer from depression, 40% from high blood pressure, and 25% from diabetes. Cambodian youth in Philadelphia has high truancy and drop-out rates. Cambodian youth are marginalized by the model minority myth.
Past Activity
In our previous activity, The Legacy Project brought youth and elders together through food! Together, they re-created recipes and cooked meals together while learning about their heritage. Through food, both groups were able to see how a persons diet and life-style can negatively impact their over health & well-being. See how youth and elders bridged the generation gap through food!
Contact Person
Sokmala Chy Executive Director sokmala@cagp.org |