Lotus Legacy: Revive and Flourish

Lotus Legacy: Revive and Flourish

Cambodian students from all across California walk down the steps at the UCLA campus, KSCC 2011.

The Cambodian Family has always been a strong supporter of student organizations. We realize that college student organizations have a great potential to impact the community in a positive way. So why should students be a part of a student organization and why should community organizations work with them? Through many years of experience, we’ve narrowed it down to three reasons:

1. Student organizations can provide its members with a sense of belonging –  especially important because many times, students often feel alone and outcasted for reasons such as ethnicity, socio-economic status, and so forth.
2. Student organizations can be a safe space for members to connect to their culture – something that many members don’t experience until they join the club and connect with their peers on a personal level.
3. Student organizations can inspire members to make a difference and give back to the community – and actually take action in making a difference because of the many resources and funds available through their university.

We’ve learned that through collaboration and relationship building, community organizations and student organizations can come together to affect greater change in the community. For many years, we have worked very closely with Cambodian student organizations from UCI, UCLA, CSUF, and Chapman to help one another in our missions. Many of these organizations are members of the Khmer Student Coalition, a coalition of Cambodian student organizations across the state.

Family Heads and Workshop Leaders Training at The Cambodian Family.

In the past, our support has included a variety of activities such as: providing workshops, giving presentations, teaching dance, sponsoring events, and providing advice and resources. In return, student organizations have provided us support through volunteering for events such as high school conferences, developing media and promotional video, raising funds and supplies for our youth program, and providing higher education opportunities such as college campus tours, financial aid workshops, and on campus sleepovers. (Learn More about What We Do)

Students from the Khmer Student Coalition Conference 2011 at UCLA take a break for a picture.

Last year, we upped the ante and volunteered to co-host the 2011 Khmer Student Coalition Conference (KSCC) with United Khmer Student at UCLA. This marked the first time ever that a community organization partnered with a student organization to host KSCC. The theme, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for,” was a success, bringing close to 200 students and professionals from all over California to engage in workshops and conversations about identity, history, and culture. Read more here.

Through a nomination and voting process, KSCC 2012 is making its way to Cal State Fullerton’s Cambodian Student Association, this coming October 20-21st. (See below for more information.) The conference, entitled “Lotus Legacy: Revive and Flourish,” will bring workshops on culture, policy, social issues, and leadership. This year, The Cambodian Family will participate once again and support the student orgs by providing a workshop in the social issues section. Executive Director and Youth Program Director, Sundaram Rama and Phalen Lim, will be teaming up to present a workshop on the state of Mental Health and affects of PTSD in the Cambodian community. With our many years of experience in working with the community and collaborating with many organizations, we feel that sharing the information we’ve gathered with the younger generation is crucial.

Our support for student organizations and events like KSCC is only a small step in our bigger vision to move the community forward. However, with that small step, our communities are working closer than ever before and collaborating more than we ever used to.

Khmer Student Coalition Conference 2012
“Lotus Legacy: Revive and Flourish”
Hosted by the Cambodian Student Association of California State University, Fullerton
Saturday, October 20, 2012 – Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Lotus Flower descends from the murky water with its un-withering stem patiently waiting for the lotus petals to transform its beautiful transcendent state.

The murky water symbolizes the hardships, difficulties, and challenges of life. The stem represents the resilience that we as individuals can endure, the structure to succeed, and strength to overcome adversities. When the petals unfold, it represents enlightenment and the potential to rise, revive and flourish in all obstacles.

You are the heir to the Lotus Legacy. Revive and flourish!

Come and unlock the mysteries of the Lotus Legacy. Understand what is hidden beneath the murky water and learn how its stem leads to the transformation into your fullest potential.

More Info: http://2012kscc.eventbrite.com/