Organization
United Cambodian Association of Minnesota
The United Cambodian Association of Minnesota (UCAM) is a nonprofit mutual assistance association for Cambodian families in Minnesota, formed in 1993.[1] It offers social services, refugee resettlement support, adult day care, bilingual immigration help and cultural programs to Cambodians and other new Americans.[1][2] UCAM describes itself as the only human service organization in Minnesota devoted to the social service and other needs of Cambodian immigrants and refugees.[1]
History
UCAM was formed in January 1993, when the Khmer Association of Minnesota and the Refugee and Immigrant Resource Center merged into a single mutual assistance association.[1] The association credits the merger with ending duplicated services and competition for funding between the two groups.[1] Some directories have listed UCAM under the name Cambodian American Association of Minnesota. Its adult day program opened on October 16, 2014.[1]
Programs
UCAM's mission is to promote health, social, economic and educational opportunities for Cambodians and other new Americans in Minnesota. Its work falls into five areas: elders, families, youth, health and legal services.[1] The association says this work helps clients reach long-term economic independence and a place in American society while keeping their Cambodian heritage.[1]
Adult day program
The adult day program is a community-based group program for Cambodian elders with functional impairments. Each participant follows an individual care plan, built from an assessment, with the aim of keeping or improving the ability to care for oneself.[3] The day includes culturally sensitive recreation, therapeutic and social activities, group discussion, storytelling, arts, crafts and music, and supervised, structured exercise.[3] The program also provides translation, case management, transportation arrangements, chronic disease management and help with activities of daily living. Health education includes diabetes and nutrition classes. Participants receive nutritionally balanced, culturally appropriate morning and noon meals and an afternoon snack.[3] The program's center is in Inver Grove Heights.
The service may be given in person or remotely, in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties.[3] It may be covered through Medical Assistance home and community-based waivers, the Alternative Care Program, Veterans Administration TRICARE or long-term care insurance, and it may also be paid for privately.[1]
Legal and immigration help
UCAM gives bilingual and bicultural legal and immigration help to low-income refugees and immigrants living in Minnesota. This includes help with green cards, citizenship applications, family reunification and public benefits applications.[2] Its advocates work to make sure individuals and groups receive the benefits and services for which they are eligible. The service is free to eligible clients, covers the Twin Cities metropolitan area and serves mainly Cambodian, Hmong and other Southeast Asian clients.[2]
Families, youth and culture
Families receive help with access to healthcare, social assistance and community development programs.[1] For Cambodian youth, UCAM offers scholarships, mentorship programs and educational workshops. Cultural events, language classes and arts programs carry Cambodian heritage forward.[1] UCAM also runs a congregate meal site that serves free or low-cost meals to people in need.[4]
Community
Cambodians hold a voting majority on UCAM's board of directors, and the board chair is Cambodian. The association states that about 80 percent of its staff, including the executive director, is Cambodian.[1] UCAM counts more than 350 volunteers who give over 10,000 hours of service each year. They work as English and citizenship tutors, Khmer arts and language instructors, organizers of cultural celebrations, companions to seniors and mentors.[1]
Leadership (2026)
Staff and board members listed by the association in 2026.[1]
- Yorn Yan, President and CEO
- Sapaula Mao, Center Director
- Mony Pen, Senior Program Administrator
- Samang Chan, board member
- Chetha Sar, board member
- Serey Uk, board member
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 United Cambodian Association of Minnesota, official site
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 MN.gov resource directory, United Cambodian Association of Minnesota (UCAM), legal and immigration assistance
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 MN.gov resource directory, United Cambodian Association of Minnesota (UCAM), Adult Day Services (updated November 26, 2025)
- ↑ MN.gov resource directory, Asian Community listings