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UPDATES
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2023 Annual Giving

OCA is commemorating its 50th anniversary and launching a fundraising campaign to secure $500,000 by the end of the year. A generous individual will match every dollar up to $50,000, so your contribution will have twice the impact. Don’t miss this chance to support OCA’s mission with a simple click! We appreciate your generosity and commitment.
** DONATE HERE ([link removed])
POLICY CORNER
Welcome to the Policy Corner of the Monthly Newsletter. For those of you who haven’t met me yet, my name is Eric Kim and I am the current Policy and Organizing Manager. Moving forward, this section will include important updates from the policy and communications team. Thank you for your work on the grounds and please do not hesitate to reach out to me about AANHPI issues or advocacy.

Highlights:
* 15 Sign Ons and letters of support since May 2023. Although the topics vary topics and issue areas that these Sign Ons and Letters of Support cover are mental health care, immigration reform, representation of AANHPI history in education, equitable access to telecommunications, extremism in the armed forces and requests to reform discriminatory surveillance laws.
* 1 public comment was submitted to the Senate Universal Service Fund Working Group. The public comment covered the kinds of reforms that the Universal Service Fund needed to serve a constantly diversifying country. In addition to calls for reforms we also urged the full funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program.
* 3 monthly policy and communications held (shout outs to OCA-DC, OCA-East Bay, OCA-GC, OCA San Diego and OCA-Tucson for attending so far)
* 2 Moving Underserved Communities Forward Series Panel Events on equitable access to spectrum and online privacy issues. (recorded stream available for viewing ** Online Privacy: Empowering Vulnerable Community ([link removed])
)
* Visits to the State Department, FBI and Department of Justice in addition to a Department of Labor for a community roundtable with acting Secretary Julie Su

PRESS RELEASES
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Frank Washington Appointed as New Chairman of OCA’s Business Advisory Council

As the new Chairman, Frank Washington will guide and support nearly 25 leading U.S. corporations in advancing the interests of the Asian American community.

** Read more here. ([link removed])

** ([link removed])

OCA Calls on Congress for Immediate Action for Young Americans

By declaring the DACA program unlawful, Judge Hanen jeopardizes the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including many AAPIs, and undermines the core American values of diversity, inclusion, and opportunity.

** Read more here. ([link removed])

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
** ([link removed])
Apply for ACP Fellow Position
In June, OCA received a ~$700k federal grant to do outreach for the ** Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ([link removed])
. This program is one of the ways we're addressing OCA's policy on ** "Bridging the Digital Divide" ([link removed])
. Over the next two years, we will implement 600 outreach activities/events, reach 800,000 people, and hold 200 ACP enrollment events.

OCA National is hiring part-time Community Advocates (also informally called "ACP fellows") to work within their local AANHPI community to reach historically underserved and low-income populations. Through this work, OCA National will
1. Support low-income AANPHI communities with access to technology and broadband
2. Build and increase community engagement through OCA chapters across the country
3. Increase local membership numbers and engagement

Community advocates are paid contractors by OCA National ($25/hour) and work closely with National staff. If anyone is interested in applying, ** please email our Community Outreach Coordinator, Christian Phomsouvanh (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Affordable%20Connectivity%20Program%20(ACP))
** ([link removed])

Help us update our OCA Intern Alumni Directory
We are requesting all OCA National internship program alumni to fill out the OCA Intern Alumni Directory Form to help us update our internal database so we can stay in touch with our intern alumni from the last 30+ years. ** Fill out the form ([link removed])
.

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
OCA - Greater Washington DC Chapter

OCA-Greater Washington, D.C., APA Advocates (OCA-DC) hosted an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) Studies Summit at Georgetown University on Sept 24. Students from over 15 high schools and universities attended the summit including American University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, UMD, Johns Hopkins University, William & Mary, NYU, UCLA, and many more. Led by OCA-DC education advocacy interns Linh Truong and Nelson Chen, this summit is a culmination of student-driven activism calling for AA & NH/PI studies in higher education. Various workshops featuring professors, community organizers, and student activists enriched the summit program and provided a day of advocacy training and leadership development. We are so proud of everyone involved with the planning process!
OCA - Las Vegas Chapter

In August 2023, OCA Las Vegas board members Brian Kieatiwong and Randy Huynh as well as Youth Leadership Committee Chair Armida Barretto met with high school leaders from various Asian Student Union (ASU) clubs across the Clark County school district. This effort to encourage involvement and collaboration between AAPI nonprofits and local youth is being spearheaded by OCA Las Vegas mentee Cevan Louie (cohort '23). As part of the chapter's ongoing mission to empower AAPI youth to find their voice and make an impact in the community, this was an opportunity to introduce these young leaders to OCA and promote initiatives and programs such as the annual Mentorship Program and Asian Night Market.
OCA - San Mateo Chapter

Over 210 elected officials and supporters attended OCA - San Mateo Chapter's national 50th Anniversary celebration and fundraising gala in South San Francisco on September 30, 2023, Saturday, Anni Chung, Gerrye Wong, and Karyl Katsumoto were honored for their lifetime contributions to uplifting the Asian American community in the Bay Area with the "Individuals Who Inspire" Award.
OCA - San Mateo chapter participated in Self Help for Elderly's Moon Festival in San Mateo Central Park on September 23, 2023. We had a booth for voter registration, outreach for the Affordable Connectivity Program, and book sales of Abigail Hing Wen's award winning book, Loveboat Reunion.
OCA - Wisconsin Chapter

Members enjoyed the Dragon Boat Festival held at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee. Everyone had a great time and the team placed 2nd in the Emerald Division.
OCA Wisconsin held the Annual Moon Festival Hot Pot at the Milwaukee Lakefront on Friday September 30th. Members brought their cooking stoves, ingredients and cooking skills. There was plenty of good food to share, lots of fun, and plenty of delicious mooncakes.

Member Tony Lam carves a scenic landscape on a watermelon for the Hot Pot.

CHAPTER EVENTS
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Asian Night Market by OCA - Las Vegas Chapter

OCA - Las Vegas is holding its 4th-annual Asian Night Market on Saturday, Oct. 14. It is the largest Las Vegas AAPI event of the year, showcasing over 50 AAPI restaurants and businesses who receive 100% net proceeds from ticket sales support. In addition to food, there will also be AAPI entertainers performing on stage, vendors providing important resources and services regarding their organizations, and carnival games supporting fundraising initiatives for local youth. Similar to previous years, thousands are expected to attend and join OCA Las Vegas for this one-night event celebrating AAPI culture and community. Learn more at ** asiannightmarketlv.com ([link removed])
.
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Oct0ber 15: Lecture on "China, the US, and Taiwan" by OCA - San Mateo
Long time SMOCA member Roger Dong will be presenting a lecture on the current geopolitical situation between China and Taiwan. As a retired Lt Colonel, USAF, and a China Specialist for the US government since 1972, he has spoken at various conferences on the topic of China/US relations, most recently at the American Legion National Convention. SMOCA is nonpartisan and desires to provide its members perspectives other than that of the mainstream media. The views expressed are to encourage critical thinking and do not necessarily reflect the policies of San Mateo OCA or the national office.

⏰ 3 pm - 4:00 pm PST
📍 Zoom (** REGISTER HERE ([link removed])
)
Questions: Contact ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

** ([link removed])

Oct0ber 17: Situational Awareness Training
OCA invites you to attend the next free “Situational Awareness Workshop” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION In response to the increased rise of Anti-Asian/American, xenophobic harassment, and anti-hate towards marginalized communities of color, OCA is providing educational and awareness tools to combat these types of systemic oppression. This workshop is a free, 1.5-hour, interactive training to teach people on how to be a confident and effective bystander against racism and discrimination. At the end of the training, each participant will have the tools to be able to intervene as a bystander whenever they see or experience harassment. Pre-registration is required through EveryAction. Please register in advance for all training. The training is 1.5 hour via Zoom. Once you register, a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting will be sent to you. The training is only offered in English. In addition, the training may not be ADA compliant at this time.

📍 Zoom (** REGISTER HERE ([link removed])
)

Oct0ber 21: Mental Health Education Workshop by OCA - Greater Tucson
OCA - Greater Tucson is presenting Mental Health Education Workshop on October 21, 2023. The two foci are identifying anxiety and depression in school age children, and caring for the caregiver of elderly loved ones. This is the first part of a year-long mental health wellness program that includes stress-relieving activities. The program is funded by a grant from the Presidents Circle Initiative, AARP, and Raytheon ASPIRES.

Where: AARP Offices (6700 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ Suit #331

RSVP to Leslie at ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Mental%20Health%20Education%20Workshop)
by October 13. Kindly indicate if you prefer a vegetarian entree.

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