OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national membership driven organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, touching tens of thousands of individuals each year through its extensive network of over 100 chapters, affiliates, and partners from around the country. In addition, the organization strives to foster development, leadership, and engagement through its various programs.
OCA Programs
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APA Y-Advocate
- Launched Fall 2012 semester, APA Youth-Advocate is a State Farm funded, half-day interactive training focused on equipping our youth with skills to enhance their personal lives as well as providing them a stronger platform before going to college.
- OCA internship alums will facilitate this training and the program will be brought to local OCA Chapters.
- Students will participate in a highly interactive program that will lead to responsible habits in personal financial management, career planning, and leadership-driven community engagement.
- Students will get a practical training on resume preparation and basic knowledge of good financial habits.
- Students will engage in robust leadership discussions about the implications of individual behavior on the community.
- Launched Fall 2012 semester, APA Youth-Advocate is a State Farm funded, half-day interactive training focused on equipping our youth with skills to enhance their personal lives as well as providing them a stronger platform before going to college.
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APIA U: Leadership Training
- The interactive college leadership training program involves hands-on exercises, small group discussions, and presentations led by two qualified APIA facilitators. The one day training assembles students from each region and focuses on self-awareness, team-building, and direct action organizing. Participants will be asked to challenge themselves, share their experiences, and develop leadership tools in order to effectively serve as catalysts for change.
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Internships
- Applications open every season. Check the website for more information. Below is a list of potential internships available.
- Government - Learn about federal policy making through a hands-on experience at a federal agency
- Congressional - Gain experience with the lobbying, lawmakers, and the legislative process
- Corporate - Cultivate the skills that are necessary for success to make it in this industry
- OCA National Center - Work within OCA's advocacy home and help us serve the broader AAPI community
- Nonprofit - Engage with our community partners and help them serve their constituencies
- Applications open every season. Check the website for more information. Below is a list of potential internships available.
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Scholarships
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OCA-AXA Achievementsm Scholarship
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Since its inception, 84 OCA-AXA Achievementsm scholarships have been awarded to APA students who have entered their first year of college. In 2013, ten scholarships in the amount of $2,000 were awarded to APA students who demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to community service.
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Eligibility
- * APAs who are entering their first year of college in the Fall 2014
- * Must demonstrate academic achievement, leadership ability and community service
- * Must be permanent resident or U.S. Citizen
- * Must have a minimum cumulative GPA 3.00 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
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OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship
- Since 1999, OCA has partnered with the UPS Foundation to fund the OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship. The title of this scholarship program describes how many Asian Immigrants looked upon America as a mountain of golden opportunities for themselves and their families. Awardees of the scholarship seek dreams of higher education, which are not only the dreams of the students but also of their parents and extended family. Since its initiation, the OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship has provided 164 scholarships to APA students who are the first in their family to attend an institution of higher education. This year, 15 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 were awarded.
- In addition to the scholarships offered through the OCA Scholarship Program, many of the OCA chapters also provide scholarships to local students. Contact your local chapter to find out more!
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Eligibility
- * APAs who are the first person in their immediate family to attend college
- * APAs who are entering their first year of college in the Fall 2014
- * Must demonstrate financial need
- * Must be a permanent resident or U.S. citizen
- * Must have a minimum cumulative GPA 3.00 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
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B3: Build, Breakthrough & Believe
- Launched in 2009, B3: Build, Breakthrough & Believe is a professional and leadership development program for aspiring Asian Pacific American (APA) professionals interested in taking their personal and professional goals to the next level through leadership development and networking.
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Mentoring Asian American Professionals (MAAP)
- The OCA MAAP program, with the generous sponsorship of UPS, will cultivate the next generation of Asian American professional leaders through mentoring, skills building, and networking. The program pairs Asian American professionals with experienced leaders in their field. As part of the mentoring process, participants will create a personal strategic plan allowing them to identify ways to achieve their professional as well as personal goals.
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JACL/OCA Leadership Summit
- The JACL (Japanese American Citizenship League)/OCA Leadership Summit is an intensive three day civil rights and advocacy seminar in Washington, DC that introduces Asian Pacific American (APA) leaders, advocates, and students to foundational and advanced advocacy strategies. It also provides 12 OCA and 12 JACL members an opportunity to meet members of Congress, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Administration Officials, Government Agencies, as well as APA social justice leaders in Washington, DC.
