Can you imagine leaving your home country because you didn't have enough food for your family, then walking for 3 days and 3 nights to a neighboring country with the family in the hope of being able to feed them? That's what Sambo experienced in 1980 having left Cambodia and then went to Thailand, moving from camp to camp. Her mother passed away at one of the camps. Her journey eventually led her to the Philippines then to the U.S. She and her husband Vansong have a touching story, and they share some of it here with us as Links #30 and #31 in the Catalyst Giving Chain. Watch them here!
News
News, events, and articles for the Catalyst Network of Communities.
Meet Leakhena
Leakhena is a mother and child care provider in Long Beach and loves the freedom of making her own schedule. She's a good friend of Rita (Link #28) and as Link #29 in the Catalyst Giving Chain, Leakhena received some groceries from us. Check out some of her story here!
Meet Rita
This is Rita. She is a fashion designer and researcher and is passionate about creating more jobs in Cambodia in the fashion industry - not just low-level production but also creating fashion design. As Link #28 in the Catalyst Giving Chain, she's got a great message! Get to know her a little bit through her video here:
Applications Now Available for 3 Meals Documentary
Catalyst has partnered with The Center Long Beach for our new project 3 Meals - a project that brings together individuals who are characteristically different from each other to spend a full day of sharing stories while sharing three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
The project begins with the 3 Meals Campaign: "Sexual Orientation" bringing together 5 individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, and asexual to spend an entire day together to become better known and to better understand each other without debate, defense, or desire to convert perspectives.
We will be creating a documentary film on their Meal experience and their back stories and we are looking for participants. We're now accepting applications from anyone interested in being considered. The deadline to submit applications is Saturday, July 26, 2014.
For more information or to apply, go to our 3 Meals project page here.
Meet Vouchmeng
"Meng" is a wonderful woman who is passionate about preserving Cambodian culture and especially wedding traditions. As Link #27 on the Catalyst Giving Chain, she received a hand-made Cambodian outfit that she can add to her collection. As a refugee, she traveled from Cambodia to Thailand, and eventually made her way to the U.S. and landing in Long Beach where she settled, went to school, and built her career of serving others. Watch what she has to say in the video below!
Meet Socheat
The next participant in the Catalyst Giving Chain is Socheat. He established the Mietophoum National Library and Cultural Center (aka the Mietophoum - Khmer Spirit Center) located in Cambodia Town at 2338 E. Anaheim Street, Suite 102, Long Beach, CA 90804. His heart is to preserve Cambodian culture, history, literature, and music while educating people about his culture. As Link #26, he received $50 worth of books to add to their extensive library! Check out his brief video here.
Watch more videos at the Catalyst Giving Chain project page here.
Meet Caydee
This is Caydee. She's passionate about anthropology and religious studies because it says so much about the human experience. She's also very passionate about the Cambodian community and culture. Hear more about her and watch how she's participating as Link #25 in the Catalyst Giving Chain!
Watch more videos at the Catalyst Giving Chain project page here.
Meet Jane
This is Jane. She's a young college student at Cal State University, Long Beach. As Link #24 in the Catalyst Giving Chain, she shares her story of what it was like to look after her younger sisters when her mom got sick and had to live in Mexico until she recovered. Check out her brief story here!
Meet Brandon
Brandon is a cool guy with a passion for acting and movies. He currently goes to Cal State University, Long Beach majoring in Film. He wants to use acting as a way to encourage others. In this video, he talks about what it was like for him as a kid being shy and bullied and how his friends played a key role in helping him to come out of his shell. Shara (Link #22) chose Brandon (Link #23) as the next participant in the project and so we got him some t-shirts at Target. Check him out! #gocatalyst #givingchain #InspireEmpathy
Meet Shara
This is Shara. She grew up in Texas and now lives in North Long Beach. Sunshine (link #21) is her neighbor and so chose Shara to be the next participant in the Catalyst Giving Chain. Check out her video here! #gocatalyst #givingchain#InspireEmpathy
Meet Sunshine
This week's video for the Catalyst Giving Chain is Sunshine. She is Link #21 and she talks about some of the acting she has done, the books she has written, and her thoughts about empathy, giving, and receiving.
Meet Keith
As Link #20 on the Catalyst Giving Chain, Keith shares about his life recovering from drugs and alcohol and how he's used those experiences to help others. Watch his video here and please like, comment, and share it!
#gocatalyst #givingchain #InspireEmpathy
Meet Daryl
This week's video for Link #19 on the Catalyst Giving Chain is of Daryl. He's got a genuine passion for serving those who are homeless and anyone who seems to be in need. Check him out!
We didn't have a sponsor for this participant which means we won't be able to sustain the project for much longer without your generous support. Can you help by making a donation so that we can continue doing this project? Anything and everything helps! Thanks! You can make a tax-deductible donation here: http://www.gocatalyst.org/donate/
Meet Conrad
This week's video of the Catalyst Giving Chain is Conrad. He is Link #18 on the project and here he talks about being a student, working in a hospital, and shares his thoughts about empathy. Check out what he received from us because Shelly thought of him!
#gocatalyst #givingchain #InspireEmpathy
Meet Shelly
Here's this week's video for the Catalyst Giving Chain. Watch and get to know a little bit about Shelly's heart for serving the homeless here in Long Beach. Thanks to Earl Harville for sponsoring this week's "Give" to make it possible for Shelly and her ministry. #gocatalyst #givingchain #InspireEmpathy