Join the Lotus Campaign

Khmer Maine’s Annual Capacity-Building Campaign

About Our Annual Lotus Campaign

The lotus is an important symbol for Cambodians. Its story of growth reflects that of the Cambodian people both in our country of origin and in our new home here in Maine. Like the lotus, which can grow in the muddiest and murkiest of waters yet still produce beauty, Cambodian Mainers have endured great pain and suffering, yet we show resolve for a better life for our children and grandchildren.

Khmer Maine (formerly known as Cambodian Community Association of Maine) is here to help our community do just that.

Here’s a snapshot of what we hope to achieve next year through a combination of grants and individual donations: 

Provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed support to help Cambodian seniors live their golden years in good health.

  • Develop and launch a program to support Cambodian seniors by connecting them with public health resources that focus on trauma-informed practices to deal with chronic health issues such as trauma, mental illness, high blood pressure and hypertension, food and nutrition, and overall physical health.

Support Cambodian adults to help them integrate and be able to fully participate in Maine’s economy and civic life.

  • Collaborate with partners and existing resources to provide Cambodian adults with language acquisition, financial literacy education, and access to citizenship and small business loans.

  • Launch a Get Out The Vote effort for the 2022 midterm elections and register +100 Cambodian Mainers to vote. 

Inspire Cambodian youth to embrace their American and Cambodian identities and to retain the Khmer language and significant cultural practices and traditions.

  • Support high school seniors with capstones that help them learn more about their Cambodian heritage.

  • Scale up our youth engagement pilot program that connects youth to the Khmer temple in Buxton, ME.

  • Provide youth with opportunities to connect to Maine land and water, to learn from and engage with Indigenous peoples, and to connect these experiences with the importance of water, land, and life in Cambodian culture and Buddhism.

We’re deeply proud of the work we’ve done together this past year, and we hope these three exciting updates inspire you to support Maine’s Cambodian community with a tax-deductible year-end gift. 

Thank you,

Khmer Maine