Sakieth (Sako) Long
Streetworker
Fluent in English and Khmer, Sako is a native of Cambodia who came to America at the age four. His family first settled in Revere, Massachusetts, later moving to Lowell. While growing up in Lowell, Sako became involved with the Southeast Asian gangs. His involvement with the gangs led him to serve four years in prison. During his incarceration he made a promise to himself to help out the Southeast Asian community, especially the teens that are labeled as “at-risk” in Lowell.

The first week out of prison he volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lowell. Two weeks later he was hired as a part-time staff to help coordinate an after school program called the A.D.A.M. Project (Awareness and Development of Adolescent Males). He is also co-founder and vice-president of a grassroots volunteer-led community organization called Family Unity of Lowell that focuses on helping the Southeast Asian community by assisting in translation, citizenship, voting registration, deportation advocacy, gang intervention to build a stronger community.

Through funding from the Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell in 2002, Sako was hired to be a Streetworker at UTEC (United Teen Equality Center), specializing in counseling services. He conducts regular home visits, meeting with parents to encourage them to participate in the counseling programs available. Sako also maintains many partnerships with community agencies such as Lowell’s Juvenile Courts and Probation, the Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, the Eliot Center, Department of Social Services, Lowell’s public high and middle schools, Concord Family Youth Services, and Lowell’s Community Health Center.

Sako continues to develop upon his personal experiences through professional trainings. He has completed the Comprehensive Outreach and Supervisory Training provided by CHEC (Community Health Education Center), as well as regular continuing education workshops at UTEC. Sako is also involved with planning and development of the Streetworker program on an on-going basis.