GLWIB Member Profile
Rasy An
Vice President
Pailin City Enterprises
Foreclosure Prevention Coordinator
The Home Preservation Center (CBA)
Phone: (978)970-0600, Ext 1
Website: http://www.coalitionforabetteracre.org
Rasy attended Lowell High School and worked at his family’s business Pailin Market. He went onto Daniel Webster College where he received his Associate’s degree in Marketing and his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Rasy then went onto receive a MBA at Rivier College in 1997, all while working for the family business. Since then Pailin Market has become Pailin City Enterprises, which consists of Pailin City, restaurant and function hall, Pailin Jewelry store, and Pailin Music, all in one plaza.
After receiving his MBA, Rasy went to work for Fleet Bank in Lowell. It was with Fleet Bank where Rasy discovered his passion for working with people in the community. Rasy began doing outreach to the Asian community in Lowell helping bridge the gap for those in the Asian community to understand, trust, and utilize the banking system in the US.
After Fleet Bank, Pailin City Enterprises expanded, adding Pailin Jewelry. Rasy worked to receive his Diamond Grading Certificate and became a certified jeweler. Once Pailin Jewelry was off the ground, Rasy worked for Helzberg Diamonds as an Assistant Manager. Rasy was doing well for himself, he was married with two children and was, in his own words “living the American dream”.
“But something was missing. I wanted to be in the community,” Rasy said. “I wanted to work with people, to help people to have better lives, just as I was given an opportunity for a better life.” It was during this time, where he made his choice. Rasy made the switch from the private to the non profit sector, and became the Foreclosure Prevention Coordinator for the Coalition for a Better Acre’s Home Preservation Center in 2008.
Rasy joined the GLWIB in 2009 as a representative of Pailin City Enterprise but also to be active in all facets of the community. He is also a member of the GLWIBs Emerging Sectors Committee. Additionally, Rasy is a board member of both the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and Friends Without Borders.
Company/Organization Description:
The story of Pailin City Enterprises begins with a small market in a Lower Highlands neighborhood. The business then expanded to include Pailin City, a restaurant and banquet hall, and Pailin Music. Rasy was instrumental in the development of his family’s business. He had the great opportunity to work in these businesses while attending college and graduate school. He became a successful businessman all while helping his family prosper.
Rasy continues to work closely with his family at Pailin City Enterprises along with his duties at the CBA’s Home Preservation Center in Lowell. The Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) is a membership based community development corporation dedicated to resident empowerment and sustainable community revitalization for current and future residents of Lowell. The CBA in partnership with CTI, founded the Home Preservation Center in 2008 to help homeowners experiencing difficulty meeting their mortgage payments. The staff at the Center provides group foreclosure education workshops, one-on-one foreclosure prevention counseling, budget counseling, and access to other resources in the community.
Rasy says, “Our goal is to help them help themselves. By believing in them and fighting for them, we can empower them to take control of their lives again.” He continues “They’re in crisis and feel they have nowhere else to turn. We work hard for them and set them on the right path, but they’re the one who will determine whether they succeed.” The Center is a purveyor of the mission of the CBA.
Through his outreach and marketing for the Center, Rasy found himself more and more involved with the Southeast Asian community. Rasy is seen as a trusted and respected leader helping residents navigate through the complex American system of health, finances, government, and education. With this, Rasy created a new program called “Khmer Connections”. Khmer Connections helps to build a bridge between the CBA and the Southeast Asian community, encouraging residents to learn about and become more active in the community.
For more information, please visit the Home Preservation Center page on CBA’s website.