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The Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia strives to assist a growing population, but Cong Son wishes the help was closer to home.
Son, of the 1400 block of South Fifth Street, must carpool or travel by bus to reach the association’s North Philly office. There, he receives help with paying heating and electric bills, obtaining legal services and attaining his U.S. citizenship.
"There’s a lot of things I wasn’t aware of, so the association has helped in terms of information," said Son, 49, who spoke through a translator.
While appreciative of the staff’s help, Son is not a fan of the commute to their Philadelphia office. Getting there is always "very difficult," he said.
Responding to the suggestions of many Cambodians in the area, the association will open its new South Center, 2416-2418 S. Seventh St., Dec. 9. The staff will enlighten attendees about the new facility while serving traditional Cambodian refreshments.
The new office intends to fulfill the association’s goal of serving the local Cambodian population while preserving the group’s culture.
"We know there are a lot of Cambodians in South Philly and we know that they need help," said Cindy Suy, association executive director. "They are constantly asking us for the services there. It’s hard for them to travel to North Philly to get the services, especially the elderly. It’s been so many years that we knew that we need to have a site there because there is a need there."
Suy said nearly 18,000 Cambodians live in the city, with roughly half of them residing in South Philly. The heaviest concentration is on South Seventh Street, from Oregon to Washington avenues.
The centrally located center can better serve this group right in their own community, said Suy, of the 2400 block of South Fifth Street.
"The building is perfect in terms of location," she said.
BEFORE BOARDING A bus to work some four years ago, Suy eyeballed a for-sale sign in front of a row house converted into a church. She immediately told the association’s board members.
The association soon snagged the building and, for two years, housed an after-school program in it. However, the building posed a safety hazard and the program was relocated to John H. Taggart Elementary, 400 W. Porter St.
The initial cost to renovate the building and acquire additional supplies for programs was $500,000, Suy said. Over the next two years, the association secured grants through the Nonprofit Finance Fund and the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Fund-raising also brought in $10,000. Acquiring $300,000, the association was unable to refurbish the entire building as originally planned. Its transformation will now occur in three phases. Contractors began overhauling the first floor, dubbed Phase I, in August, where staff will reinstate the after-school program. Besides seeking homework help, children also will learn about the Cambodian culture, said Samol Heng, association president.
Parents of Cambodian students "want to send their kids to the program," he said. "They can’t help the kids on their own. [Some of them] don’t read, don’t know the math."
Phase II includes the conversion of the second floor into office space. Once Phase III is complete, the building’s basement will hold classic Cambodian and folk dance classes, as well as house a computer lab, Suy said.
"We will continue to do funding and looking for funding sources to renovate the second floor and basement," she said.
Staffing the facility is another issue, but Suy said residents seeking help will get it.
"Once the door opens, people will come in and ask for help and we have to know how to accommodate that until we get additional funding," she said.
Some of her ideas include dividing her staff between the two offices or placing a staff member at the South Center on certain days.
Suy hopes the center will continue spurring positive changes throughout the community, where 80 percent of Cambodians now own homes.
"We do have a lot of plans in working with community members," she said. "It’s a business area and it’s growing. The real estate [market] is high there right now. We see less abandoned buildings. It’s a very stable community."
Already taking an active role in the neighborhood, the South Center will host a workshop Dec. 19 to inform residents about Philadelphia Gas Works’ utility assistance programs.
Despite a few setbacks, Suy and her bilingual staff know residents will embrace the new facility.
"We’ve been in existence for more than 25 years and they know our agency," she said. "We have that trusting relationship."
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The grand-opening ceremony for the South Center is 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9.
For more information on the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, the new South Center, or how to make a donation, call 215-324-4070 or visit www.cagp.org.
