Our Programs
The programs at OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates have one goal: to progress toward our mission of advancing the the sociopolitical and holistic wellbeing of all Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). To this end, our programs include advocacy trainings for high school and college students, professional development programs including a formal mentoring program and the AAPI Womxn’s Initiative, our internship program, and the Gold Mountain Scholarship.
LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY
APA Y-ADVOCATE
APA Y-Advocate is a half-day interactive training for high school youth to cultivate the next generation of leaders. Attendees will engage in activities that will help them develop leadership skills, discuss the importance of advocacy, and investigate concepts surrounding AAPI issues.
APIA-U: LEADERSHIP
APIA-U: Leadership is an interactive college leadership training program that assembles students from each region of the United States 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.
JACL/OCA LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
The JACL/OCA Leadership Summit is an annual intensive civil rights and advocacy seminar is designed to train 15 OCA and 15 JACL members in foundational and advanced advocacy strategies. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from members of Congress, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Administration officials, government agencies, as well as partner organizations in the Washington, D.C. social justice community.
ADVOCATES IN ACTION
In response to the increased rise in 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.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Our professional and leadership development programs are designed to engage, uplift, and empower aspiring Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders. By providing opportunities for mentorship, networking, and leadership development, we hope to give future AAPI leaders the resources and space to reach their highest potential.
MAPP: MENTORING ASIAN PACIFIC PROFESSIONALS
The MAAP program aims to cultivate the next generation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) professional leaders through mentoring, skills building, and networking. The program pairs young professionals and college students with experienced mentors. The program provides the foundation for an effective and valuable mentoring relationship, as well as guided group mentoring sessions designed to help participants achieve their highest professional and personal goals.
INTERNSHIPS
The OCA Internship Program is one of OCA's signature student leadership development programs. Celebrating its 30th year in 2019, the OCA Internship Program seeks to cultivate future leadership for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by providing opportunities to work in the public sector and learn about issues affecting AAPIs. Based in the nation's capital, interns will learn to build relationships, meet with legislative officials, and engage in leadership development workshops.
INTERNAL INTERNSHIP
The OCA Internal Internship is usually offered every fall and spring semester. Interns are placed in-house at OCA National to support its various departments, including Chapter Membership, Communications, Development, Policy, and Programs.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The OCA Summer Internship Program is offered every summer for ten weeks, in which interns are placed at various external organizations based in Washington, D.C., including nonprofits, federal agencies, congressional offices, corporations, and OCA National. Interns also participate in weekly OCA programming, experience leadership and professional development workshops, advocate issues on The Hill, and support OCA’s annual National Convention.
SCHOLARSHIPS
OCA-UPS GOLD MOUNTAIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
The OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship for Graduating High School Seniors awards $2,000 to high school seniors who are the first in their family to attend an institution of higher education.
OCA-UPS GOLD MOUNTAIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR RISING COLLEGE SENIORS
The OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship for Rising College Seniors awards $2,500 to college students who are rising seniors for the upcoming Fall Term. To be eligible, students must be enrolled as undergraduates, starting their senior year during the upcoming Fall term, and be the first in their immediate family to attend college.
JOE AND LOANNE CHIU SCHOLARSHIP
First-generation college students face unique barriers in their pursuit of higher education. The Joe and Loanne Chiu Scholarship provides $5,000 to first-generation undergraduate students who are entering their first year of undergrad to help them overcome these challenges and thrive in college.
S.Y. & S.F. FUNG PUBLIC SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
It is important for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to be represented at all levels of government, to be involved in the political process, advocacy, and public service, in order to meet our communities’ needs and make our voices heard. The S.Y. & S.F. Fung Public Service Scholarship Fund aims to support this work by awarding financial aid to students pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration and who intend to pursue a career in public service.