The Cambodian American Resource Agency (CARA) was founded in 1998 by a group of Cambodian-American professionals and community members who had a deep interest in the uniting the local Khmer community. The mission of CARA is to help initiate and provide support for community-based events involving the Khmer community in order to increase recognition and raise awareness of the Khmer culture. CARA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and its programs are funded in part by a number of renewable grants.

CARA, as an organization has had a very active and involved presence within the Cambodian-American community. The involvement of the group has spanned a wide variety of community-based programs that include the Khmer Dance Class, the Khmer Language School, Khmer Wedding Tradition, Active Listening and numerous other workshops that help to promote cultural awareness among the local community members. Other workshops that are planned for the future and target the younger generation include Khmer Culture for Today's Youth and College Awareness. Since it’s founding, CARA took a number of leadership roles in organizing the annual Khmer New Year Celebration. CARA brings together organizations throughout the county of Santa Clara to help plan and carry out a number of celebrations.

CARA is an umbrella organization consisting of board members representing local community groups and organizations. Currently, the board of directors includes six individuals with various professional and academic backgrounds. All board members, including officers are volunteers and do not receive any material or monetary compensation. The make-up of CARA’s board is quite diverse, ranging from young professionals handling a full-time job and active family life, to retired professionals who continue to contribute to the community. All chose to set aside time and commit resources from their busy schedules to help give back to the community in their own individual capacity.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
• Mr. Phillip Lim, • Mr. Perom Uch, • Ms. Davy Chea, • Mr. Chanthoeun To, • Mrs. Leslie Kim, • Mrs. Deva Ok

   CARA's Officers

Phillip Lim
President

My name is Phillip Lim. I was born in Kompong Cham, Cambodia in 1966. I survived the Khmer Rouge regime through the 1970’s and emigrated from Cambodia to the United States in 1981. It has been a long journey since then.

So let me fast-forward my story to the present day. I have been living in the Bay Area since 1991 and have been volunteering for the local Cambodian community off and on since 1992. I have been with the CARA organization since 1999 and enjoy working with a group of talented and warm hearted people.

Professionally, I currently work for a Silicon Valley high tech company as an engineer. I enjoy working in this field and have built it as a career for the past 17 years. This is my life in a breath. If you like to know more about me, please send me an email to
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Perom Uch
Vice President

Perom Uch was born a Srok Puok, Khet Siemreap (Angkor Watt). Mr. Uch has been a part of CARA since August 1999. His main goal is to "UNIFY THE KHMER COMMUNITIES” by working with an organization like CARA, which has many dedicated and talented Khmers with different expertise working in different fields.

Mr. Uch holds a degree in Electronics Technology from Devry Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois(1984). He has worked for Equatorial Communications, Digital Microwave, Loral/ROLM Mil-Spec Computers, On-Stream/3 Com, and Lantern Communications. He was also an Engineering Lab Manager for a Major networking company.

In the past, he has worked as a case manager, a mental health counselor at Travelers & Immigrants Aid, Chicago, Illinois (1980-1984). In Cambodia, Mr. Uch acquired a Bachelors degree in General History from the Humanity Sciences University and a teaching credential from the Pedagogy School of Teaching. He was also a Khmer Navy Officer 18th Promotion. Contact Info

Chanthoeun To
Secretary

Mr. To has been involved in the community with a goal of promoting and preserving the Khmer culture and promoting interactions and understanding among people of Khmer heritage and those who bear interest in Cambodia and/or her culture and people. He has been a member of CARA since 2000.

Mr. To was a co-founder and former President of Cambodian Students of Aloha (CSAloha). He studied in the former Soviet Union, then received his BBA in MIS from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He received the "Tokai Presidential Award for exemplifying the spirit of the Tokai University Educational System with his leadership in campus activities".

Mr. To is an entrepreneur, and presently a software engineer working for Internet company in the Bay Area.
Contact::

Davy Chea
Treasurer

Ms. Chea joined CARA in August of 1999. She has also been a part of the dance troupe as a volunteer dancer. She comes from a long history of community service taking after her father who worked with Watt San Jose until 1998. She was the former President, former Vice President, and former Treasurer of the Independence High School Cambodian Club. She was rewarded with, "CARA Award" for her outstanding work in the community.

She graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in accounting and finance. She worked at Camp Fire Boys and Girls Club, a non-profit organization between 1997-2000, while attending college. Upon graduation, she worked for McCutchen Doyle in accounts payable and billing. She is now with Hoge, Fenton, Jones, & Appel as a Collections Specialist.
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   FORMER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Officiers, Coordinators- Since 1998

• Mr. Rithy Hang
• Ms. Usha Welaratna
• Thana Kong
• Mr. Sambath Sim
• Mr. Sarit Bay
• Mr. Kent Khauv
• Mr. Sam Keo
• Mr. Darith Khay
• Ms. Chamroeun Yean
• Mr. Savouth Chea
• Mr. Kaine Lim
• Ms. Nalin Sar,
• Mr. Nithya Nine
• Mr. Robert Lor
• Mr. Kelvin So