MISSION – បេសកកម្ម
The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Cambodian Americans and other minorities and economically disadvantaged persons in Lowell through educational, cultural, economic and social programs.
សមាគមខ្មែរប្តេជ្ញាចិត្តក្នុងការកែលំអគុណភាពជីវិតប្រជាជនខ្មែរអាមេរិកាំង និងជនជាតិភាគតិចដទៃទៀត ព្រមទាំងអ្នកដែលជួបការលំបាកផ្នែកសេដ្ឋកិច្ចនៅទីក្រុងឡូវែលអោយកាន់តែប្រសើរឡើងតាមរយៈកម្មវិធី អប់រំ វប្បធម៌ សេដ្ឋកិច្ច និងសង្គម។
Vision – ចក្ខុវិស័យ
Cambodian Americans, and other ethnic minority groups, are not only economically self-sufficient but are actively engaged leaders of their communities.
ប្រជាជនខ្មែរអាមេរិកាំង និងជនជាតិភាគតិចដទៃទៀត មិនត្រឹមតែមានភាពម្ចាស់ការលើខ្លួនឯងខាងផ្នែកសេដ្ឋកិច្ចប៉ុណ្ណោះទេ ថែមទាំងជាអ្នកដឹកនាំដែលចូលរួមយ៉ាងសកម្មនៅក្នុងសហគមន៍របស់ពួកគេ។
Our History
Beginning in the early 1980s, thousands of Cambodians fled war, genocide, and political persecution, with many resettling in Lowell and communities across the United States. Starting over in a new country brought significant challenges, including language barriers, limited resources, and unfamiliar systems and customs.
Recognizing the need for culturally and linguistically responsive support, the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA) was founded in 1984 to help Cambodian refugees and families in Greater Lowell navigate these challenges and build new lives.
From its early work providing language translation and helping families access food, housing, and other essential resources, CMAA has grown alongside the community. Over the years, our work has expanded to include education, youth programs, health and wellness initiatives, citizenship and ESL classes, community events, and other services that respond to the changing needs of those we serve.
Our Journey & Impact
More than four decades later, CMAA’s story is also the story of a community that has transformed adversity into opportunity. Families who arrived with few resources have built successful lives and contributed to the fabric of Greater Lowell and beyond—as educators, business owners, engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, and community and civic leaders.
Today, CMAA serves immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and families throughout Lowell and Greater Lowell, providing programs and services that help people overcome barriers, access opportunities, and build stronger futures. We work alongside community members and collaborate with nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and other partners to address emerging needs and strengthen the communities we serve.
Our impact goes beyond the number of people served or programs delivered. It can be seen in a family finding stable housing, a newcomer gaining confidence through English classes, a young person discovering new opportunities, or a community member finding a place where they feel welcomed and supported.
We are proud of how far our community has come—and of the role CMAA has played in that journey. As our community continues to grow and evolve, we remain committed to building on our legacy, expanding opportunities, and creating a stronger, more inclusive, and brighter future for generations to come.
Photo Credit: SIlver Fox Studios