OUR ORGANIZATION

UCF TEAM

Raksan Kasem-Houy, President
David Childs, Int. Executive Director
Saroeum Yim, Health Case Manager
Gregory Holz, Program Coordinator
Vanny Prasongsy, Support Staff

Our History

Established in 2000, United Cambodian Families represents the efforts of a broad cross section of Cambodian leaders and community. In 1999, community leaders attended the PICO Annual National Leadership Training at Louisiana, sponsored by PACT for Stockton, with the intention of laying the foundation for an organization serving Cambodians and other underserved populations within San Joaquin County. In early 2000, our Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was formed.

In August of 2000, this effort served its purpose to voice concerns and took action on the issue of the attempted eviction of over 70 Cambodians and Laotian families from the Tyrolian Village apartments. The group became stronger with capacity building support from the James Irvines Foundation through APSARA.

The first election for our governing Board was held at APSARA on December 14, 2001. In June 2002, UCF applied for a 501(c)(3) non-profit status. On October 10, 2003 UCF officially became a non-profit organization.

In 2004, UCF received a grant from the Vanguard Public Foundation for internal capacity building and development of a 3-year strategic plan. Faithfully carrying out its mission, UCF sought and received grants in 2005 and 2006 to promote our communities health by providing "Healthy Fish" education for those who may be at-risk for exposure to mercury and other contaminants through consumption of fish caught in local waterways.

In 2005/2006, UCF received a grant from the First Five of San Joaquin funded through the Community Partnership for Families for the UCF Family Success Team case management program. This program continued through 2008 and served over 400 families, helping each and every family according to individual needs, challenges and strengths.

In 2008, UCF built on this effort by launching the Success for Health program, funded by Sierra Health Foundation and Health Plan of San Joaquin, providing health-related case management to low-income families and health education workshops to promote healthy food choices, safe food preparation, and exercise.

2009, We are now continuing to promote health and environmental stewardship in our community through the Delta Fish Project, funded by UC Davis through a grant from the Ford Foundation. Realizing the urgent need for programs that get youths engaged in positive activities after school, UCF is now collaborating with Stockton Unified School District, El Concilio to provide after-school cultural and enrichment programs at Stagg High School. UCF received funds through the YMCA that advocate program association with Franklin, Edison and Cesar Chavez high schools in the city of Stockton.