Before my Yaey and Tha even knew me, they began laying down a foundation with their calloused hands, broken English, and immense sacrifice in a country that was thousands of miles away from the only home they ever knew to give their children and future grandchildren a better life.
My grandparents are part of the Cambodian diaspora that fled their homeland to escape the brutal Khmer Rouge regime that brought war, famine, and genocide to the country. In 1983, they came to the United States with their four, soon-to-be five, children in pursuit of safety, security, and a chance at the American dream. I always say my story begins with my Yaey and Tha because without them, I wouldn’t be here today.
Luckily, my grandparents chose the best place to settle down (Bay Area, best area!!) where I was born and raised in San Francisco. My mom, a single mother after my father’s deportation when I was 5, embodied unwavering strength and taught me that I could do anything. Even if we slept in a walk-in closet together, she would paste adhesive glow-in-the-dark stars to our small ceiling and crafted a mini galaxy for us with a smile on her face. Even after working all day to provide for us, my mom always made sure that I knew these three things:
“You are smart, you are beautiful, and nothing is beyond your reach.”
My mom never let me forget my worth and what I had to offer the world. So when she was arrested when I was only 9 years old, I momentarily lost my only parental figure and biggest cheerleader all at once. I remember so clearly the timed phone calls, supervised visits, and clinging to the clothes she used to wear. Even though she wasn’t physically present, her affirmations stuck with me, and this practice continued to ground me throughout my summer. Especially during the hard days of my internship, I found myself drawn to these types of affirmations:
- I am deserving of all the good that comes my way
- I am constantly growing and learning
- I trust my choices and my journey
Coming to DC for a second time was truly an honor, and working as SEARAC’s Communications Intern was a dream come true. I have followed SEARAC’s Instagram since I was a sophomore in high school, so now being a rising junior in college and working for the very organization that played a role in inspiring me to be an advocate was surreal. During SEARAC’s Leadership and Advocacy Training (LAT) program, I had the opportunity to co-facilitate a workshop with Phun H, SEARAC Communications Manager, on the “Story of Self, Story of Us, Story of Now.” Delving into storytelling as not only an artform, but also as a tool for advocacy, equipped LAT participants to share their own lived experiences during their Capitol Hill visits.
Working for SEARAC during the 50th commemoration of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement and being in community with so many Southeast Asian leaders and advocates was empowering, to say the least. Even in times when things felt hopeless, I witnessed how the resilience of our parents, grandparents, and even ourselves fueled our passions and informed our missions. I saw how in the face of adversity, our communities are speaking up and advocating for what they believe in.
Seeing these leaders and advocates made me think of my grandparents and mom back home. Although they may not know what advocating on Capitol Hill looks like, they know what it means to forge dreams from nothing. My grandparents know how to weave together entire stories of our ancestors for their grandchildren who can only string together a few sentences in Khmer. My mom’s tongue is clever, creating art with her rhymes and cosmos with her hands. They are the ones who taught me the importance of storytelling and remembrance.
As my internship comes to a close, I leave with not only the strength of my family, but the push of an entire community of Southeast Asians who will continue the fight of bringing our stories to the forefront and to ensure the wellbeing of our communities.
Janessa Reyes(she/her) is an OCA National Intern and was placed at SEARAC for Summer 2025 as the Communications Intern. Now a Junior at UC Berkeley, Janessa will be studying and getting her degree in Asian American & Asian Diaspora Studies. In her free time, she loves watching Studio Ghibli films and thrifting.