Mekong NYC

Mekong NYC is a grassroots community organizing and cultural institution dedicated to improving the quality of life for the Southeast Asian community in the Bronx and throughout New York City. Established in 2012 by community organizers and cultural workers, the organization serves Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Laotian refugees and their descendants, building collective power across generations.

The agency combines direct social support with systemic advocacy to address the historical trauma and systemic inequities experienced by Southeast Asian refugees. In community organizing, the organization leads campaigns against unjust deportations, predatory gentrification, and healthcare neglect, mobilizing tenants and families to secure language-accessible municipal services. The organization provides direct case management, assisting non-English-speaking elders and families with public benefits navigation, Medicaid enrollment, housing preservation, and legal referrals.

Youth leadership and intergenerational cultural preservation are vital pillars of the organization's work. Through the Southeast Asian Youth program, young organizers learn community history, political education, and social justice activism, bridging intergenerational divides with elder refugees. Cultural programs feature traditional arts workshops, community healing circles, and seasonal cultural celebrations like the Khmer New Year. Community members can connect with organizers by visiting the University Avenue center in the Bronx. Supporters can get involved by volunteering for event translation, joining public rallies, or making financial donations.