An Overview: The National Cambodian American Organization
Since the initial resettlement of refugees from Cambodia in 1975, the Cambodian American community has grown to over 250,000, with a presence in virtually all the major states in the US. The last three decades are marked by both notable achievements and persisting challenges. Cambodian Americans have made significant contributions to American political, economic, intellectual and cultural life. They are also among the most socially and economically vulnerable populations in the US. Despite both their achievements and their challenges, Cambodian Americans remain virtually invisible, especially to policy makers. Their issues and concerns are masked by the homogenizing rubric of the Asian American “model minority”. The National Cambodian American Organization (NCAO) was born out of this frustration with the persisting invisibility and voicelessness of our community. In July 2010, a group of dedicated Cambodian American leaders and advocates from the West Coast, East Coast, and Midwest came together in Chicago to seek a collective solution for promoting and maintaining a national Cambodian American voice. A national organization was formed.
As a non-profit national organization, NCAO aims to:
1. Serve as a central, coordinating body for the Cambodian American community, and a platform for articulating a national Cambodian American voice;
2. Advance public policy and awareness, research, and advocacy on critical issues pertinent to the Cambodian American community;
3. Provide assistance and support to the Cambodian American community in areas such as leadership and organizational development, and fundraising;
4. Build critical alliances and partnerships with Cambodian and non- Cambodian groups and organizations for the advancement of our community’s interests.
In the summer of 2016, the NCAO adopted the guiding principles of Promoting Khmer Identity, Pride and Unity to further strengthen its mission of advancing the interests, concerns, and well-being of Cambodians in the US through networking, collaboration, coordination, advocacy, and community mobilization around critical initiatives.
As a non-profit national organization, NCAO aims to:
1. Serve as a central, coordinating body for the Cambodian American community, and a platform for articulating a national Cambodian American voice;
2. Advance public policy and awareness, research, and advocacy on critical issues pertinent to the Cambodian American community;
3. Provide assistance and support to the Cambodian American community in areas such as leadership and organizational development, and fundraising;
4. Build critical alliances and partnerships with Cambodian and non- Cambodian groups and organizations for the advancement of our community’s interests.
In the summer of 2016, the NCAO adopted the guiding principles of Promoting Khmer Identity, Pride and Unity to further strengthen its mission of advancing the interests, concerns, and well-being of Cambodians in the US through networking, collaboration, coordination, advocacy, and community mobilization around critical initiatives.
TIMELINE:
Cambodian Network Council (CNC)
1988 to 2005
In the Absence of CNC, the NCAO was Born in 2010
The National Cambodian American Organization (NCAO) was established in July 2010 to continue the work of the Cambodian Network Council (CNC), which was established in 1988. The NCAO was incorporated on August 17, 2010 in the State of Illinois. This organization serves as the bridge between generations of Cambodian Americans across the United States to engage our community in civic and public participation. Together, we will foster leadership programs, organizational development , community empowerment, and be a collective voice for the voiceless.