KAYA honors teen achievers

LYNN – A group of Cambodian teens were celebrated for their achievements and personal growth on Tuesday through the Khmer American Youth in Action (KAYA) program’s annual recognition ceremony.Designed to encourage teens to become community leaders and make positive choices through youth-driven events, more than 60 teens have taken part in the after-school program since it began in 2009.One of those teens is Tino Hem, a junior at Classical High, who joined KAYA last fall.”It’s helped me to stay off the streets,” he said. “I’m not involved in gangs, but they used to approach me after school and try to scare me, but I just walked away from all the drama.”Hem said a month after he was targeted by various gangs, he decided to join KAYA. Shortly after, he recruited his younger cousin.”KAYA got me a job at the Food Project and one day I hope to be a staff member here,” he said.School Committee member Maria Carrasco praised the program, saying it helps to unify the city’s youth.”The group is like a family with diversity, but we don’t see the colors or the races, we just see students,” she said. “It’s a like a rainbow?.and I like that.”At the event, certificates were awarded to those who went above and beyond participation, including 17-year-old Hem, who received the 180 degrees award, given to an individual who has shown strength in making positive personal changes. Since joining KAYA, Hem said the program has helped to open up new avenues for him, including choosing a future career.”I want to be a lawyer,” he said with a smile.The program, which is led by Harry Schnur, is a collaboration between the Lynn Community Health Center, North Shore Medical Center and PartnersHealthCare, Greater Lynn YMCA, Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, Catholic Charities North and Gordon College.Since its inception, the program has grown to include four distinct components – recreation, health and cultural education, tutoring, and study skills building and peer leadership development.”It’s designed for Cambodian youth, but is open to all youth,” Schnur said. “It’s a safe and comfortable place for teens to get involved in community service with a main premise for youth needing social change.”