Khmer Girls in Action’s mission is to build a progressive and sustainable Long Beach community that works for racial, gender, and economic justice led by Southeast Asian women and youth.
We envision a safe, healthy and just world where all people are free from oppression and are able to determine their lives and communities!
Our Story
Khmer Girls in Action was founded by 1.5 and second generation Cambodian youth who rose up to lead in a time of compounded crises because we were fed up and ready for change.
It was the late 90’s and by the time the majority of Cambodian diaspora resettled in Long Beach, it was clear that our families who had to live through the horrors of genocide, now had to survive the war on poverty and systemic neglect. As youth we supported our parents and elders with translation and navigating housing, health and financial disparities yet, we were always vulnerable to violence, poverty, gangs, and falling back in school.
Tough-on-crime policies and anti-immigration laws destabilized our families; and, budget cuts in education and persistent threats to our reproductive freedom created a climate where we had to fight back to defend our rights. Because of cultural and gendered expectations, young women shouldered more responsibilities to protect our families and communities, in the deliberate absence of equitable support from institutions like schools, cities and government.
After school- before going home to cook, clean and do homework- we met up at the parking lot by Poly Burger and La Lune because it was the only space we had. This became our hang out spot until we became a project, Hope for Girls, and then our own nonprofit rooted in our community for over 25 years! Since 1997, Khmer Girls in Action has and continues to be a political home, a safe and brave space to build youth and community power to win racial, gender and economic justice led by Southeast Asian women and youth!
How We Build Power!
In building power, we use values to guide our decisions and strategies to map out how to engage with our base.
Grassroots Community Organizing to Achieve Social Change
We recognize that marginalized communities face multiple levels of oppression. We believe the root causes of their oppression must be dismantled. We value building local collective power to struggle, take risk and organize for systemic change to achieve equity and justice.
Community Linkages and Engagement
We believe the health of a community is connected to the well-being of other local, national, and global economies. We believe that coalitions and alliances are vital to creating change. We seek solidarity and community collaborations with a cross-section of groups that work on a diverse range of gender, racial, and economic justice issues.
Full Participation of Young Women at All Levels of the Organization
We value young women’s strength, herstory, creativity and expertise that they bring to the organization. We encourage and nurture the perspectives and participation of young women in all levels of decision-making and board membership. We believe in the leadership of both Khmer and Southeast Asian young women to create social change in and outside of their community.
Self Determination for Marginalized Communities
We value community knowledge and believe that those impacted by the issues are most qualified to lead and determine the solutions and strategies for strengthening the conditions of their community.
Wellness and Healing
We believe in creating a culture of wellness and healing in our individual lives and community in order to achieve social justice. We recognize the importance of practicing forgiveness, reflection, appreciation and compassion in our relationship with each other in our work.
Safety and Freedom from Violence
We believe that all people have the right to live in an environment free from any form of violence to their bodies, minds and spirits. We value the development of healthy communication and relationships in our personal, community and organizational lives.
Our Strategies
- Community Organizing
- Youth Empowerment
- Leadership Development Programs
- Base building
- Governance—Practice Decision Making
- Campaigns
- Voting & Community Engagement
- Shift Systems
- Influence Decisions
- Build Infrastructure
- Cultural Work
- Storytelling
- Shaping Narrative Landscape for Social Justice
- Connecting with our Roots
- Shaping History
- Healing & Wellness
- Address intergenerational trauma
- Create and further practices of thriving and sustainability
