The MAYE Center

MAYE operates a unique, culturally appropriate Center primarily women and children. MAYE uses the elements of meditation, agriculture, yoga and education as the springboard for developing sustainable community organizing around social justice issues. From environmental justice, social equity around health to equal representation. Within the last 6 years we continue to partner with local urban farms such as Long Beach Fresh for policy change, build food forest to fight against food insecurity during the pandemic; we've partnered with 4 organizations to fight gentrification and empowering African American, Latino, and Cambodian residents. We founded Equity For Cambodians initiative, primary lead by survivors of the Khmer Rouge Genocide. In 2019 this initiative ended Gerrymandering in the City of Long Beach by taking the power of redistricting from City Council and give the power to the people for drawing council districts that preserve communities of color and minority communities. This program has amended the City of Long Beach Charter under the new Measure DDD. Furthermore, The MAYE Center published 2 books, by Alex J. Norman, an emeritus Professor of UCLA in Social Welfare with the Executive Director, Laura Som, "A Guide to Self-Healing" and Dr. Alex J Norman and Civil Rights attorney Marc Coleman published "The Longest Journey: Transforming Trauma into Activism" to share best practices from The MAYE Center's programs with other organizations in Long Beach.

Testimonials

"The MAYE Center treated me like a family. I've lost most of my family during the Genocide. I'm a senior and I had no hope. But the MAYE Center believed in me, nurtured my potential, and gave me value. I'm a community organizer now. This is my new birth to really living a life to its fullest". -Kim Seng ( member of the Equity for Cambodians Initiatives)

"I'm suffering from PTSD. Decades after the Genocide, my PSTD have gotten worse. I've lost all my skills and afraid of connecting with society. I have no means to make an income. I was lost in darkness. When I am at the MAYE Center, Laura Som being a survivor herself helped me navigate through this darkness. It is, as if she can step into my shoes, she helps me clear one mental blockage at a time. I am always happy when I'm at the Center. I love gardening and I feel the love from nature-like I'm at my homeland. I see hope and potential in myself. I'm so grateful to have found the MAYE Center. I passed my citizenship exam, I have confidence. I learned English and how to connect with my community again. I owe everything to The MAYE Center."-Mom You