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CERI’s focus on holistic healing through community groups, therapy, and celebrations had become a common practice–a far cry from refugee and immigrant experiences forty years ago when Khmer refugees were resettled in impoverished, high-crime neighborhoods. The general assumption is to believe that survivors of war and genocide are now established and thriving in the United States, but this is contrary to reality. Isolated, unable to trust, and traumatized, many survivors silence their voices publicly and privately. Furthermore, very few organizations are available to directly support unhealed wounds that continue to impact future generations of survivors directly. This is why we work across generations at CERI, providing individual counseling and support groups to over 200 Southeast Asian youths, adults, and elders each week, along with case management for public benefits, medical care, direct aid, and resource referral. We are also committed to strengthening our youth services. Our Youth Program Team doubled in size this year and engaged over 50 youths in art and poetry, social and environmental justice, climate education, intergenerational learning, focus groups, youth leadership, and academic support.
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