← Special Projects Energy Efficiency Initiative In the Fall of 2022, CMAA started a new energy efficiency initiative working with the City of Lowell, the Community First Partnership (Mass Save), Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and UMass Lowell’s RIST Institute for Sustainability and Energy. Our partnership with Mass Save brings energy savings benefits to all residents, landlords, renters, and small businesses. Mass Save provides eligible households with cost savings on their home energy consumption. A second component of our Initiative is to recruit and train energy ambassadors within the Cambodian community. Energy ambassadors help promote energy usage savings through social diffusion activities, such as educating residents about available energy savings programs and sharing their energy savings experiences with their network of friends. The energy ambassadors meet once a month to update their activities and receive support from the CMAA project team. Energy ambassadors and participants in the project earn incentives through their active participation. Monthly Ambassador Meetings will take place every last Saturday of the month from 10-11:30AM at the CMAA Office. Please check back often as dates are subject to change. Upcoming meetings: June 29, 2024 July 27, 2024 August 31, 2024 For more information, please contact: Sreang Heng (speaks English and Khmer) Special Projects Manager E-Mail: sheng@cmaalowell.org Direct Line: (351) 500-6475 Office Extension: (978) 454-6200 x1020 If you feel your home or small business is too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer and you want to help your community go green, these programs can help. Join us and your neighbors to save energy and money. Together we can make our homes and businesses more comfortable. Together we can further our community's commitment to equity and sustainability. You may be eligible for: 75-100% off approved insulation upgrades 100% off for rental units and moderate income households No-cost air sealing Discounts on high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment and appliances No-cost energy-saving products Programmable thermostats, high-efficiency faucet aerators and shower heads, and advanced power strips If you or your tenants qualify as low-income, you may be eligible for additional benefits through your Community Action Program (CAP) agency. There are also benefits for 5+ unit buildings. Learn more by contacting our Special Projects Manager, Sreang Heng. You may also get your energy assessment by visiting masssave.com/lowell . Click below to visit a translated website in your preferred language: English ភាសាខ្មែរ Español Português

< Back Rainforest Action Initiative This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

First Time Home Buyer Training Our First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) classes are offered in partnership with the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership’s Project Genesis (MVHP). CMAA supports the outreach, recruiting, and translation in Khmer Language for classes held on location at our office. MVHP provides the instructors, speakers and handouts. We are proud to make these classes accessible to a significant segment of the Lowell community that is unable to participate in other Home Buyer classes due to the language barrier. For more training classes, please visit MVHP's website. View Upcoming Classes at CMAA. First Time Home Buyer Training (FTHB) in Khmer Language Home ownership is one of the most powerful asset building strategies for families. Purchasing a home is a complex transaction that requires much planning and preparation, including building good credit, saving for a down payment, working with a realtor to find a home that meets the family’s needs, negotiating a purchase price, applying for loans and evaluating competing loan offers, closing the loan, and then maintaining the home and family finances. Our First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) classes are offered in partnership with the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership’s Project Genesis (MVHP) . We provide the outreach and recruiting, provides translation, and the classes are offered in Khmer Language at CMAA’s offices on weekends. MVHP provides the instructors, speakers and handouts. These classes are the only classes offered for Khmer-speakers in Lowell. We make those classes accessible to a significant segment of the Lowell community that is unable to complete the English-language classes. For more training classes, please visit MVHP's website . Government down payment assistance programs exist to help low/moderate income buyers. These programs require potential beneficiaries to attend and complete a homebuyer education program. Training Overview The following topics are covered: Overview of the Home Buying Process Mortgage Application Process Down Payment Assistance Programs Legal Aspects of Purchasing Home Inspections Household Budgeting Building Good Credit Insurance Requirements Multi-Unit Housing Options Responsible Home Ownership Looking for more training classes? For more training classes, please visit MVPH's website . For more information, please visit our office or contact us at (978) 454-6200. Featured Gallery

Earn your master’s degree tuition-free from Merrimack College through a Graduate Fellowship at CMAA! Fellowships < Back Fellowships Earn your master’s degree tuition-free from Merrimack College through a Graduate Fellowship at CMAA! Learn more at merrimack.edu/ce-fellowships . The Community Engagement Fellow is responsible for assisting Community Engagement Coordinator to provide community education on civic engagement as well as other relevant community education for CMAA. Fellows can expect to: Conduct outreach to Cambodian Community to recruit members for community education on civic engagement, conduct focus groups, key informant interviews to solicit input from the community in developing community education programs. Collaborate with various community partners as well as Lowell Vote Coalition in enrolling community members to register to vote and educate community about the importance of civic participation as a US Citizen. Engage CMAA program participants in the education and focus groups. Work collaboratively with CMAA staff to develop ideas for involving the community in the work of the CMAA. For more information, please contact us at: (978) 454-6200 info@cmaalowell.org Previous Next

← Staff Thysan Sam Civic Engagement Coordinator Department(s): Civic Engagement Program E-Mail: tsam@cmaalowell.org Office Extension: (978) 454-6200 Direct Line: Since resettling in Lowell, MA, in 1989 from refugee camps, Thysan has dedicated his life to advocating for social change. His career spans roles as a community organizer, case manager, social worker, and clergy, all rooted in a passion for making a difference. He holds a degree in counseling and has spent the past seven years supporting substance abuse and mental health recovery. At CMAA, Thysan continues his journey to create a positive impact and strengthen the community.

← Staff Rena Theum Community Outreach & Events Coordinator Department(s): E-Mail: rtheum@cmaalowell.org Office Extension: (978) 454-6200 Direct Line: Rena’s journey in community work began in her teen years at CMAA, and she has remained deeply connected to Lowell ever since. She spent 12 years as the Community Liaison for the Lowell Police Department, where she built strong relationships and coordinated events such as National Night Out, Back to School initiatives, and the Water Festival. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with neighborhood groups and nonprofits to plan meaningful programs that bring people together. As CMAA’s Special Events Coordinator, Rena is excited to return to where it all began. She looks forward to using her passion for networking and community engagement to create impactful events that strengthen connections and celebrate the vibrant spirit of Lowell.

← Staff Jennifer Soun (CAC) (Consultant) MassHealth Certified Applicant Counselor Department(s): Wrap Around Community Services (WACS) E-Mail: jsoun@cmaalowell.org Office Extension: (978) 454-6200 Direct Line: n/a

LEADS • JBanh Consulting ← Board of Directors Joseph Banh Director Founder and Sr. Consultant at JBanh Consulting and Director of Network Programming at LEADS

Lowell Housing Authority ← Board of Directors Tha Chhan Vice President Executive Director Lowell Housing Authority

← Interns Sonika Ketyarath Administrative Assistant Intern Sonika, originally from the vibrant country of Cambodia, is a dedicated Chemistry Student with a strong commitment to her academic endeavors and a passion for education. She combines intellectual curiosity with practical application in her studies, constantly seeking to deepen her understanding of the chemical world and its societal implications. Outside the classroom, Sonika is a natural leader who excels at taking on challenges and fostering positive change. She is actively involved in organizing educational initiatives, mentoring peers, and leading student organizations, always striving to inspire others to reach their full potential. With her unwavering dedication and enthusiasm, Sonika is set to make a significant impact in both the field of chemistry and the communities she serves.

← Interns DeeAnnie Chey Communications/Marketing Intern DeeAnnie Chey originally from Rhode Island, lives in Florida studying psychology along with a concentration in mental health, neuroscience, and aging. She is an ambitious student who seizes every opportunity she comes across and turns it into a learning experience, becoming a better version of herself each day. With various leadership, volunteer, and research experiences, she is excited to use her skills to help empower our community by promoting education, resources, and culture. She will be helping us with creating engaging media content, E-Newsletter, etc., to highlight the importance of organizations like CMAA within the Lowell community.

← Interns Erika Pen Communications/Marketing Intern Erika Pen (She/They) is a Cambodian-Chinese American born and raised in Lowell Massachusetts. They are a senior at Salem State University where they are studying psychology with minors in women’s studies and social work. She'll be returning to Salem State University in the fall to pursue the Higher Education in Student Affairs, Master's in Education. Her future goals lies in serving the AANHPI community through community outreach, advocacy, and social justice. In her free time, you can find them reading, spending time with loved ones, napping, and of course, getting bubble tea. Erika will be working with us in planning and organizing CMAA events such as the up-coming Khmer New Year, Annual Meeting, and others.