Goodbye Siem Reap, Hello Bangkok

From mama pigs by the outhouse to skyscrapers, mega malls and an extensive subway system, I was not fully prepared for the culture shock I would feel transitioning from Cambodia to Thailand. And just when I had learned a few phrases in Khmer, I need to forget them all and try to learn some Thai. Sawasdee kha! 

To wrap Cambodia, thanks to all the work the teams did after we left, we were able to finish both houses and latrines and have blessing ceremonies that got the families off to a good start. Not only will their houses better protect them from the rain, they are solar powered so they have light and a fan inside. Cooking will happen downstairs and there is also a water filtration system. It's quite a change for both families. 

Saturday, the team went to Angkor Wat. It's not just the temple you've seen in all the photos, it's a complex of over 72 major temples. We started outside the gate to watch the sunrise then began our tour at the main temple before taking a break back at our hotel and visiting two more - including Ta Prohm, which many will recognize as the Tomb Raider temple. It was a wonderful way to wrap up my time in Cambodia. 

Now in Bangkok I have been navigating the subway system semi successfully and yesterday I went on a whirlwind tour of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. All stunning in their own ways. The Grand Palace houses the Emerald Buddha, which is very cool but photos aren't allowed. Wat Pho is where the famous reclining Buddha is. He is 150 feet long - that's half a football field! Amazing. And Wat Arun is another spectacular structure covered in people wearing rented traditional Thai outfits and having their photos taken. 

After all that I met my friend Matt for dinner and he showed me around his neighborhood. We met at work 27 years ago and after promising I would visit him in Thailand, I finally made it. 

Today I walked around a less touristy, more hipster neighborhood and I'm getting ready for a food tour of Chinatown. Then it's off to Chiang Mai. What a whirlwind.

As always, the photos are showing up most recent to oldest in a giant stack below. The first picture is a bit of a spoiler alert for the subway sign I took on the Bangkok train when I first arrived but still worth including!

Feel Good Friday - Volunteer Building Cambodia

With my volunteer trip to Cambodia coming up and 2026 being the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, I'm excited to spotlight Volunteer Building Cambodia this week.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Volunteer Building Cambodia (VBC) aims to improve the living conditions of families in need in rural areas by providing them with wells, toilets, and safe, dry housing. You can find details about this work and their partnership with the JJoy Foundation in my post from December. Today I want to highlight VBC's education programs.

In rural Cambodia, inadequate education and lack of skills mean many people remain jobless or struggle with unskilled labor, resulting in limited opportunities for families to break the cycle of poverty. VBC established the Volunteer Building Cambodia Community Centre (VBCCC) in 2017 to provide a crucial step on that ladder out of poverty.

Located about 25 kilometers outside Siem Reap in Bakong village, VBCCC teaches English language and computer skills to children and teenagers who have limited or no access to these classes at their own schools. These programs complement the local Khmer curriculum and open doors for young people looking for job opportunities as well as students planning to attend universities that use English language textbooks and require digital literacy. Through their English classes, VBCCC also provides education on hygiene and sanitation, the environment, and other important subjects.

VBCCC has had a big impact in the community. With only four full-time teachers, the school serves around 200 students every day and more than 50% of them are girls! In addition, VBC has plans to create a vocational training facility starting with basic building skills to help adults in surrounding villages gain greater opportunities to find work and better provide for their families.

If you'd like to support Volunteer Building Cambodia, there are many ways to do so. You can make a donation, join a volunteer trip to build homes or teach at the Community Centre, and amplify their message on social media. Follow VBC on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and share their stories of hope and opportunity with your network. I'll be sharing photos and stories from my trip on my Hey Miss K blog so stay tuned! 

Feel Good Friday - Housing Works

December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, making this the perfect time to spotlight Housing Works.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of Housing Works is "to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts."

Born from the AIDS activism of four ACT UP members—Keith Cylar, Charles King, Eric Sawyer, and Virginia Shubert—Housing Works emerged during a time when tens of thousands of New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS were facing homelessness and had nowhere to turn. These founders believed that stable housing was the key to helping HIV-positive people live healthy lives and prevent further spread of the virus.

Since 1990, Housing Works has served more than 30,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Their comprehensive services include supportive housing (over 800 units), healthcare through five health centers across the city, mental health and substance use treatment, nutritional counseling, legal assistance, and their Ready For Work program—an eight-week workforce development initiative that provides job training and guarantees employment opportunities for graduates.

What sets Housing Works apart is their pioneering social enterprise model. To sustain their mission while reducing dependence on grants, they operate nine acclaimed thrift shops throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, the beloved Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in SoHo, and even opened New York State's first legal recreational cannabis dispensary in 2022. Every purchase at these businesses directly funds their lifesaving services.

Their advocacy work is equally powerful. With offices in New York City, Albany, Washington D.C., Haiti, and Puerto Rico, Housing Works fights tirelessly for legislation ensuring all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, and protection from discrimination.

If you'd like to support Housing Works, there are many ways to do so. You can volunteer at their bookstore, thrift shops, or special events like their annual Design on a Dime benefit. Consider donating items to their thrift shops or bookstore, making a financial contribution, shopping at their retail locations or online store, and amplifying their message on social media. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay connected with their work.

Feel Good Friday - JJoy Foundation

In February, I'll be heading to Cambodia with the JJoy Foundation for my 9th volunteer house building trip, which inspired me to spotlight their incredible work this week.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the mission of JJoy Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in underserved communities around the world through education, health, and housing programs.

JJoy's work spans multiple areas: they provide educational support and scholarships, deliver health and wellness programs, and build housing for families in need. My volunteer work in February will focus on their housing initiatives in Cambodia, where they partner with Volunteer Building Cambodia, a locally-run organization that's been improving living conditions for families in rural Cambodia for the past 11 years. Together, they build sturdy, traditional Khmer-style homes and latrines for families living in inadequate housing.

In rural Cambodia, 85% of families lack adequate sanitation and 35% don't have access to safe water. Dilapidated homes require constant repairs, stealing time and resources families need to focus on education, health, and livelihoods. When JJoy builds a secure home with proper sanitation, children have a safe place to study and sleep, parents can invest time in income-generating work, and the entire family gains dignity and stability.

The organization's volunteer-powered model brings people from around the world to work alongside local builders, creating not just homes but connections across cultures. These aren't just construction projects—they're foundations for better futures. Since JJoy began, volunteers have completed 104 project that have benefited more than 2,000 people!

If you'd like to support JJoy Foundation, there are many ways to do so. You can make a donation through my personal fundraising page (my goal is to raise $1,000 by December 17th), or amplify their message on social media. Follow JJoy on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel. I'll also be sharing photos and stories from my trip on my Hey Miss K blog—stay tuned!

Feel Good Friday - Cesar Chavez Foundation

Today we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and the work of Cesar Chavez by highlighting the Cesar Chavez Foundation.

Created by Cesar Chavez in 1966 and headquartered in Keene, California, the mission of the Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) is “to carry on Cesar’s life’s work of uplifting the lives of Latinos and working families by inspiring and transforming communities through social enterprises that address essential human, cultural and community needs.”

Cesar Chavez was a labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farmworkers Association which later became the United Farm Workers labor union. His motto, “¡Si se puede!” (“Yes, it can be done!”), guided him through his work as a community organizer and champion of social change, the environment and consumer rights. 

CCF is a self-sustainable fund. They raise money through various social enterprises that are then used to provide services to target underserved communities. Their current areas of focus include housing and economic development, education, multimedia communications, and preserving Cesar’s legacy. 

The Housing and Economic Development Fund builds and manages high-quality, service-enhanced, affordable housing for working families and seniors across California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. That includes over 5,000 multifamily units and more than 300 single family homes. The Education Fund supports after school and summer school programs as well as develops culturally relevant curricula for teachers to use. More than 110,000 students have been served through these programs.

Radio Campesina is the flagship program of Chavez Media. It’s one of 14 digital radio stations CCF operates across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia and it reaches over 1.5 million listeners! Most of the programs are broadcast in both Spanish and English. 

Since they began, CCF has invested more than $860 million in underserved communities. What a wonderful way to continue the legacy of Cesar Chavez. His life and work is also being preserved at the National Chavez Center in La Paz estate in Keene, California, which you can visit seven days a week.

If you’d like to support CCF and the work they do, there are some unique ways to get involved. You can request a speaker to come speak at your next event or shop for merch to show your support. You can also raise awareness of this organization on social media. Follow the Cesar Chavez Foundation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to their YouTube channel. ¡Si se puede!

Feel Good Friday - Little Tokyo Service Center

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month so let’s celebrate by learning about Little Tokyo Service Center.

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) began as a multipurpose social service center “aimed to provide linguistically and culturally sensitive social services to the Little Tokyo community and the broader Japanese American community in Southern California.” 

As they explain in this brochure, “before World War II, there were over 40 historical Japantowns in California alone. Today, LA’s Little Tokyo is one of just four remaining in the entire U.S.” That’s why LTSC is working to ensure this neighborhood remains a vibrant cultural center in Southern California. To do so, they work in six major areas.

Strengthening Little Tokyo promotes a vibrant and diverse neighborhood with community projects and events, support for small businesses and real estate development such as a new multipurpose sports facility and community center. Afterschool programs, bilingual case management and financial workshops are examples of the Nurturing Families programs. Care management, caregiver support, and organized social activities are some of the ways LTSC is Helping Seniors.

For the last 30 years, LTSC has been Building Affordable Housing for low income residents in Little Tokyo. They also operate as a one-stop service center Assisting People In Need with issues such as domestic violence services, transitional housing and multilingual care management. Finally, the Small Business Program provides consulting sessions and networking opportunities for small business owners in Little Tokyo.

Every year, Little Tokyo Service Center helps thousands of people. The way you can help LTSC is by volunteering, making a donation or shopping for groceries. As always, you can also amplify their work by following LTSC on Facebook and Instagram and subscribing to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - UnidosUS

Cinco de Mayo is coming up and while it celebrates Mexico’s victory in the Battle of Puebla, it’s also a good reason to learn more about today’s organization, UnidosUS.

Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., UnidosUS is the largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. Their mission is “to build a stronger America by creating opportunities for the Latino community.”

As they state on their website, 64 million Latinos live in the United States and they contribute $3.6 trillion to the U.S. economy. UnidosUS uses a combination of expert research, advocacy, programs and a national network of nearly 300 community-based Affiliate organizations to challenge the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos in the United States.

Key focus areas include civil rights and immigration, education, health, housing & financial empowerment, racial equity, voting & political empowerment, and workforce development. Examples of what that looks like in action are college-readiness programs, a training program for housing counselors, supporting policies that prioritize the integration of immigrants and their path to citizenship, job training and voter registration drives. You can view details on all issues on the website.

In 2023, the most recent impact report available, UnidosUS awarded $17.3 million in grants to Affiliates to support their programs and invested $4 million in the HOME initiative which aims to create four million Hispanic homeowners by 2030. Advocacy efforts enabled 2.7 million women and their children to gain access to food and 500,000 people had their Medicaid coverage restored after it was wrongfully terminated.

In addition to all of this, UnidosUS has an extensive collection of research on the Hispanic community in their Publication Library and they also provide information and resources on immigrants rights and what to do if you’re stopped by ICE, getting health care coverage and applying for U.S. citizenship.

If you’d like to help UnidosUS build, stronger communities and a stronger America you can make a donation and amplify their work on social media. Follow UnidosUS on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - California Community Foundation

Another week and fires are still burning around Los Angeles so again we’re going to highlight an organization providing support to the impacted communities. Today, it’s the California Community Foundation.

Established in 1915 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the mission of the California Community Foundation (CCF) is “to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles’ communities.” They do this through fundraising and awarding grants to organizations that provide “long-term, comprehensive solutions that address the vital issues concerning quality of life in Los Angeles County.”

Let’s start with the wildfires. This falls under CCF’s focus area on community resilience and empowering communities to adapt and thrive in the face of climate change. In response to the current wildfires, CCF created a Wildfire Recovery Fund. As of January 17th, they have raised over $30 million from a cross-section of donors, including major corporations, foundations, and more than 27,000 individual donors. Over $15 million in grants has already been awarded to nearly 130 nonprofit organizations and future donations will help people in the region recover and rebuild.

Other areas of focus for CCF include housing and homelessness, education, health, immigration, arts and culture, and civic engagement. Examples of what the funding provides includes: low-interest loans and grants to create and preserve affordable housing, making art accessible for all, healthcare and health education for economically disadvantaged residents in greater South Los Angeles, creating more equity and inclusion so immigrants and their families can thrive, and education initiatives for students from underserved communities.

In the last fiscal year, CCF gave out more than 9,837 in grants, which totaled just over $440 million. Since 2004, they have given more than $3.9 billion in grants, which has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives across Los Angeles County.

If you’d like to help the California Community Foundation respond to the wildfires or otherwise help strengthen Los Angeles communities, you can. Make a donation and spread the word on social media. Like the CCF Facebook page and follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Feel Good Friday - Family Promise

Winter weather can be challenging, especially for those who are experiencing homelessness. That’s the inspiration to highlight Family Promise, an organization working to end family homelessness across the United States.

Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, Family Promise “prevents and ends homelessness for families with children and helps them achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.” 

Family Promise is the largest nonprofit addressing family homelessness in the nation and there is a great need for their services. According to information shared in videos and posts in 2023, 42.9 million households spent more than 30% of their income on housing costs and 21.5 million spent more than 50% of their income on housing. In addition, 3 million children in the United States experience homelessness every year. 

Family Promise has 200 Affiliates in 43 states, staffed by over 180,000 volunteers. Together they run a variety of shelter, prevention, and stabilization programs such as the examples below.

Prevention and diversion programs aim to keep families out of shelters by providing services such as temporary hotel stays, landlord mediation or rental assistance. Emergency shelter is offered on a rotational model which means mobilizing volunteers to help house families in community space. Stabilization programs focus on tenancy training, financial capability and other educational initiatives. Housing programs include master leasing, transitional in place programming, and housing choice vouchers. Finally, when needed local communities organize to provide services such as food pantries, furniture donation and holiday gift drives.

The results from using this holistic approach are impressive. 63,000 families were served in 2023 and over 80% of families in the Family Promise shelter program exit into stable housing.

If you’d like to get involved, look for an affiliate in your community and volunteer. You can also make a monetary donation and help amplify their work by spreading the word on social media. Follow Family Promise on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Feel Good Friday - Harvest Home

In many cities around the United States, figuring out how to care for, and house, the homeless is a challenging issue. One group that often gets overlooked in these discussions is pregnant women. That’s where Harvest Home comes in.

Harvest Home began in 1985 when a woman in Santa Monica, California opened her home to a pregnant young woman who was living on the streets. Since then, Harvest Home has grown into a residential program that “transforms the lives of homeless pregnant women and their children by providing housing, support, and programs that equip women to become great mothers.”

It’s estimated that every year in Los Angeles, 5,000 women are homeless at some point during their pregnancy. Despite these numbers, there are less than 70 shelter beds available in the city for women who are pregnant and in crisis. Harvest Home recognized these women would benefit from specialized interventions and created programs with these needs in mind.

It starts with a 30-60 day stay in the Venice Home. Here pregnant women participate in case management, therapy and programming to assess their short-term needs and set plans for lasting independence. In this short video women explain the impact of having their own room and participating in the program.

Next is the Pico Home, where participants can stay for up to 6 months after giving birth. While here, pregnant women and new moms participate in case management, therapy and educational classes on topics such as child care, financial literacy, and mental and physical health. The goal is for the women to establish long term stability and transition out of homelessness. The final step is joining the Alumnae Program. As alumnae of Harvest Home, women are eligible for ongoing case management, support and access to resources such as diapers.

The impact Harvest Home is having is impressive. They serve up to 70 women and families in their residential program each year, for a total of over 540 since they began. Of these program participants, 90% transition into stable housing, 95% are active in the alumnae program, and 100% of the women maintain custody of their children.

If you’d like to support Harvest Home and the work they do with pregnant women there are many ways to do so. Those of you living in the Los Angeles area can volunteer your time. All of us can donate items or money and spread the word on social media. Follow Harvest Home on Facebook and on Instagram.