Apply to be an OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholar!

• OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates invests heavily in the success of aspiring Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, whether it be through programs, hands-on internships, or thousands of dollars’ worth of scholarships. That's why we’re excited to announce that applications for the Gold Mountain Scholarship, our signature award program generously funded by the UPS Foundation, are now open through April 1, 2022.
• Eligibility: AAPI students are the first in their families to attend institutions of higher learning may be eligible for awards of up to $2,500 that can be used to cover tuition and school expenses. In partnership with UPS, OCA National Center has distributed hundreds of scholarship opportunities over the past two decades.
• Our roots: The title of the OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship program calls back to a time when many Asian immigrants looked upon America as a mountain of golden opportunities. Awardees seek dreams of higher education, which are not only the dreams of the students but also of their parents and extended family.

👉 15 high school seniors starting college this fall will receive $2,000 awards. Learn more.

👉 4 undergraduate college students starting their senior year will receive $2,500 awards. Learn more.

WHO CAN APPLY?

❤️ Applicants must be first-gen and identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI).

🔎 Applicants do not need to be a U.S. citizen. DACA students or undocumented students must have a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

💼 Applicants must not be a child or dependent of an OCA National staff member, OCA Executive Council member, or OCA Business Advisory Council member.

🤔 Questions? Please contact OCA's Associate Manager of Programs Kent Tong.

Last Chance: Get Discounted Tickets to the Virtual Women of Color Conference!

OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates and the Center for Asian Pacific American Women are pleased to invite you to our third annual Women’s Conference on March 10-12, 2022. This virtual event, with the theme “Women Rise: Seize the Opportunity,” aims to empower, unite, and support women of color everywhere—especially as the pandemic continues to impact our lives.

Stay updated: Speaker and workshop information is being released here, and we're providing discounted tickets for the entire month of February in celebration of Lunar New Year! 👉 Claim your seat now.

Host a Citizenship Workshop!

Is your chapter interested in hosting citizenship workshops and helping eligible immigrants with the naturalization process? Join OCA National Center and OCA-Greater Houston on February 25 at 8 PM ET, where we'll discuss how you can get started with hosting virtual citizenship application workshops in your community! 

• Why you should care: These workshops bring professionals and trained volunteers together to assist Lawful Permeant Residents in completing the Application for Naturalization (N-400) and are essential tools for efficiently and effectively providing naturalization assistance to large numbers of people.
• Get involved: If you would like to join us virtually on the 25th, fill out this short form. Please email questions to OCA's Associate Manager of Policy & Advocacy Michael Nguyen.

In Focus: OCA’s St. Louis' Youth Scholarship Winners

✍️ Missouri high school students Sarayu Kalwa and Ann Tong were among those who received scholarships from the OCA-St. Louis chapter in 2021. The two shared thoughts about on the rise in anti-Asian violence, their own experiences, and plans after graduation. Responses have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Q: Violent crimes against AAPI persons and property increased dramatically during the last two pandemic years. What are the challenges and opportunities this presents for America and the aspirations of your generation?

🗣️ Tong: America’s history is littered with numerous occasions of unfair treatment of AAPI people. Information, followed by understanding, is the key to create a community where everyone is of the same mind and accord. Education doesn’t just include those outside of the AAPI community; educating the ones within is also important, because knowing this history allows everyone to be on the same page. 

Our generation will become the next advocates. By representing the AAPI community throughout the world in various areas, we will bring awareness to the ignorant and misinformed. To let the world know our story, we first must know our own story and the history behind it.

🗣️ Kalwa: As a woman of South Asian descent, I dodged many of the Asian hate crimes, but I was still able to be aware of what was happening around me. [The spike in violence has spurred Asian Americans] to create a strong and tight community as they are all facing the problem together and will try to resolve it as a united group of people.

Q: What are your next steps after graduation?

Tong is undecided on which university to attend, but would like to “try out new hobbies,” make new friends, and join clubs based on interests and her identity.

Kalwa plans to study business and will continue to play club tennis in college. She is not 100% committed to Indiana University, but it remains her top choice.

AFTER YANG: Premiering March 4

Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Justin H. Min star in Kogonada’s soulful sci-fi drama, AFTER YANG. The A24 film premieres in theaters and on Showtime March 4. 🎥 Watch the trailer and learn more.

February 22: Connecting Our Communities

Next Tuesday, OCA National Center, ALLvanza, and the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council will host an engaging conversation around how vulnerable communities can connect via the $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program, which will replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit that currently helps to provide access to high-speed internet or wireless services to eligible households. 👉 Register now.

March 18: Greater Seattle's Golden Circle Awards

Save the date for OCA-Greater Seattle's biggest event of the year, our Golden Circle Awards and Lunar New Year Celebration! We will honor Trang Tu, AAPI Against Hate, and Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) for their incredible contributions to the AAPI community at the Joy Palace Restaurant between 6-8 PM.

👉 Registration is not yet open, but you can subscribe here for updates.