OCA-OC Newsletter - Week of April 27th
Hello Everyone,
I hope everyone is having a great week. OCA would like to share some
exciting news. The Senate has passed the Veterans Benefits Enhancement
Act of 2007. OCA would like to thank everyone who contacted their
senator or helped to pass this alert on! For those of you who haven’t
heard about this issue, here is a brief summary: The Filipino World War
II Veterans Act seeks to support Filipino veterans who served under US
command during World War II. This bill just passed in the Senate with no
amendments and will go to the House. During World War II, over 200,000
Filipinos were drafted into US service, but have been denied full
veteran status and have been stripped of the honor and recognition of
their service that they deserve. Currently, Filipino veterans do not
receive disability pension, death pension, educational benefits,
homebuying assistance and many other veteran benefits.
OCA-OC has many exciting events coming up such as the Asian Pacific Film
Festival where we are co-presenting a film, the APIA Vote Presidential
Town Hall where OCA-OC is a community partner and our Friends and Family
Day at the Huntington Library Chinese Garden. We are truly looking
forward to having you join us at any or all of these events. Please
scroll down for more info on all of our events as well as community
events, volunteer opportunities,..etc.
As a kind reminder to our members, OCA-OC officers are here to help you
so feel free to contact us anytime. I am easily accessible through
e-mail at yaolee at gmail.com
hearing from you regarding any topic: from our website and newsletters
to suggestions you may have for our organization to how you can get more
involved with OCA-OC. We are always looking for energetic individuals to
help achieve our mission in empowering the Asian American voice in the
Orange County and national community. The information found on this
newsletter can also be found on our website here
OCA National News
OCA MONITORS NATIONAL DEBATE ON OLYMPICS IN CHINA FOR IMPACT ON RACE
RELATIONS IN AMERICA
WASHINGTON DC - OCA, a national social justice organization with over
80 chapters and college affiliates across the country, is concerned
about the impact on race relations in the United States caused by the
use of negative language and racial stereotypes in the ongoing debate on
the Olympics in China.
As an organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and
economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States, OCA
strongly supports free speech, dialogue and engagement. These are the
cornerstones of American democracy.
However, in promoting dialogue, we believe our public officials, media
representatives, and community leaders need to be aware that the
language used in this debate has a direct impact on race relations in
the United States. Whether it is bullying on the playground, hurtful
behavior in the workplace, or more serious bias-related violence,
racialized rhetoric can have a very negative impact on the daily lives
of all Americans.
We restate that OCA does not take a position on the politics of any
foreign country, but instead focuses on the welfare and civil rights of
Asian Pacific Americans. We also actively promote the need for
thoughtful discussions and respectful language from all parties as we
engage in this and other important dialogues. OCA will be closely
monitoring the communications of all parties to ensure that this
national debate does not descend into negative racial stereotypes or
wedge politics.
Upcoming OCA-OC Events
Registration
For more information, email contact at oca-oc.org
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OCA-OC Co-Sponsors
APIA Vote Presidential Town Hall
When: May 17th, 2008
Where: Bren Events Center
University of California, Irvine
100 Bren Event Ctr Dr
Irvine, CA 92612
(W Peltason Dr & Mesa Rd)
With the support of various national Asian American and Pacific Islander
(AAPI) organizations, we will be expecting 2000 community leaders,
elected officials, voters, and students representing this diverse
community from across the country to participate at the first National
Presidential Town Hall hosted by our Asian American and Pacific Islander
community
Join us for this historic event and learn about the candidates before
voting in the general election in November, 2008.
Invitations to each campaign were received and APIA Vote is working with
the campaigns to schedule each candidate’s appearance.
Visit the Presidential Town Hall
to prepare for your trip to Irvine, CA. Registration is live - be sure
to sign up today!.
Registration Live
a ticket for Town Hall. Media registration is also available online.
Town Hall Agenda on Website
complete agenda of events including the National CAPACD conference,
Voicing Our Votes forum, Power of Our Vote Luncheon and more.
Flights Through Southwest
Airline of the APIAVote Presidential Town Hall. Remember to book your
airline tickets soon!
Hotel Deals for Town Hall
get a special rate of $119 a night for Doubles/Single Queen rooms if you
book by May 9th. This includes free breakfast, free internet, a shuttle
to John Wayne Airport and UC Irvine.
4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, CA Tel: 949-833-0570
Can’t Make It to Irvine?
watch party! Live streaming available to a computer near you. Simply
e-mail us at RSVP at apiavote.org and we will help you set up your living
room Town Hall.
Ask Before You Vote
candidates your question via video. To submit your question for the
candidates, send a link to your video to rsvp at apiavote.org.
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Friends and Family Day at the Huntington Library’s Chinese Garden
June 21, 2008
1:00pm
1151 Oxford Rd
San Marino, CA 91108
Please join OCA’s Greater Los Angeles Chapter and Orange County Chapter
at our Friends and Family Day at the Huntington Library’s Chinese
Garden.
Visit the Huntington Library and Chinese Garden at your own pace and
join us for some tea and light fare at the Freshwater Pavilion. Given
the discounted Admission Fee offered to our group, space is limited.
Click here
Admission
Adult $15
Children (ages 6-11) $6
Children under 5 Free
For question, please contact us at: contact at oca-oc.org
Upcoming Community Events
Refugee Day 2008
When: May 3rd, 2008; 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Le-Jao Center
14120 All American Way
Westminster, CA 92683
Cost: Free
Refugee Forum of Orange County would like to extend an invitation to
join them at the Refugee Day celebration. This year’s event will be
co-sponsored and hosted by Coastline Community College. The event is
free and open to all.
The Refugee Forum is a membership organization composed of
representatives from agencies and groups that work with refugees in
Orange County. The purpose of the Refugee Forum of Orange County is to
assist in the successful resettlement of refugees in Orange County, and
to enable them to obtain the resources necessary to become
self-supporting and contributing members of society. Through
coordination, planning, advocacy and outreach, the Refugee Forum works
to assure the most efficient use of available resources to accomplish
the purpose of the organization.
The tentative agenda for Refugee Day consists of recognitions of
individuals and organizations that have contributed to the county’s
refugee community, speakers, entertainment, and, of course, sumptuous
ethnic foods. Also included in the day’s event is a “resource fair,”
allowing organizations to provide service-related information to the
attendees.
The Refugee Forum of Orange County hopes you will attend this special
event and support the activities of the Forum through your
participation. Thank you!
If you or your organization would like to take part in the resource
fair, please contact nnguyen at apalc.org, or 714-530-9155, on or before
April 18, 2008.
Members of the Refugee Forum of Orange County include the Asian Pacific
American Legal Center, the Red Sea Social Services, Inc., CSP Orange
County Human Trafficking Task Force, Catholic Charities of Orange
County, the Cambodian Family, Saint Anselm’s Cross-Cultural Community
Center, UCI Library Southeast Asian Archive, American Red Cross,
CalOptima,World Relief, Orange County Social Services Agency, Orange
County Health Care Agency, East African Community of Orange County,
California State University, Fullerton, and the State of California
Employment Development Department, as well as representation from local
elected officials.
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UC Irvine Symphony Orchestra:
Violin Spectacular!
presented by UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts
When: May 3rd, 2008; 8:00 PM
Where: Irvine Barclay Theatre
4242 Campus Dr
Irvine, CA 92612
Cost: $12 general; $10 senior; $8 student
The University of California, Irvine is holding its’ first annual
benefit for UC Irvine Symphony Orchestra. The purpose of this benefit
is to provide scholarship support for the student members of UC Irvine
Orchestra. Jean Aldrich, the founding First Lady of UC Irvine will be
attending as the honorary chair.
The program will include the following:
- Dimitry Shostakovich - Festive Overture
- Tan Dun - Violin Concerto - Cho-Liang Lin, soloist
- Pietro Mascagni - Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
- Mozart - Violin Concerto No. 4 in G Major - Cho-Liang Lin, soloist
Opportunities available for sponsorship:
Principal Sponsor: $10,000
Sponsors: $1,000 - $5,000
Special VIP ticket: $100
Sponsors are invited to the following private events:
Master Class with Cho-Liang Lin
Reception after the Master Class
Post Concert Reception in Jade Room
For information on becoming a sponsor, please contact Melissa Hernandez
at melissh at uci.edu
For more information on this event, please visit the Irvine Barclay
Theatre website
For more information on the UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts,
please visit their website at http://www.arts.uci.edu/
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“The Paradoxes Of Race, Law And Inequality In The United States”
A Conference To Be Held At The University Of California, Irvine
Dates: May 2-3, 2008
Friday: 9:30a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Humanities Instructional Building, Room 135
Topics:
- How Do Legal Discourses About Race Reproduce Racial Inequality?
- How have racialized inequalities in the United States been reinforced
or exacerbated in recent decades?
- How do discursive shifts in crime policy and the unprecedented
expansion of imprisonment since the 1960s affect investments in
racialized forms of governance?
- How have institutionalized inequalities been sharpened even as few
admit to being racist?
- What are the global impacts of American racial policies and
practices?
Organized by the Law & Society Review and the UCI Center in Law, Society
and Culture
Co-sponsored by the Department of Criminology, Law and Society, the
Department of Sociology, the School of Humanities, the School of Social
Ecology, the School of Social Sciences, the UCI Office of Research, and
the Law and Society Association
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND A LIST OF SPEAKERS GO TO
http://socialecology.uci.edu/node/1831
Job Opportunity
Bilingual Legal Assistant
AGENCY DESCRIPTION: The Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern
California (APALC) was established in 1983 with broad-based support and
has become the leading organization in the region dedicated to providing
the diverse Asian American and Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander (NHPI)
community with multilingual, culturally sensitive legal services,
education, and civil rights support. APALC’s Legal Services Project
focuses on the legal needs of indigent monolingual immigrant communities
with services that include counseling, education, and legal assistance
primarily in the areas of family law, domestic violence, and
immigration, with services also provided in employment, housing,
consumer rights, government benefits, and other poverty law areas.
POSITION SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Bilingual Legal Assistant position is
a full time, immediate position, and open until filled. This staff
member
is part of the Legal Services Project and is responsible for providing
administrative and legal support to attorneys in assisting APALC
clients.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Support project grant deliverables with client case and
demographic reporting on client database
* Coordinate trainings and education presentations with APALC
staff and community partners
* Assist attorneys in coordinating and providing services at legal
services clinics
* Coordinate volunteer law clerks and pro bono attorneys for case
assignment
* Assist in client services, including intakes and client
interviews under Staff Attorney supervision
* Provide interpretation and translation for attorneys and clients
* Prepare court forms, legal documents and correspondences
* Develop working knowledge of poverty law, with focus on family
law and domestic violence-related immigration
REQUIREMENTS:
* Good oral, written, and interpersonal skills including
professionalism and flexibility
* Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work both
independently and under supervision
* Good computer and word processing skills
* Dedication to serving Asian and other minority communities and a
sincere commitment to working on behalf of the indigent immigrant
community
* Bilingual fluency preferably in Korean, Vietnamese and/or
Spanish
* Possession of valid driver’s license, access to an automobile,
insurance, and willingness to drive to off-site locations
* Prior project coordination, administrative, and /or supervisory
experience strongly preferred
COMPENSATION: $15.00-$16.50 per hour, depending on experience +
bilingual stipend. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and
retirement.
Parking provided.
TO APPLY: Send or fax cover letter, resume, and references to APALC,
Attn.: General Legal Services Project Director, 1145 Wilshire Blvd.,
2nd Flr., Los Angeles, CA 90017. (213) 977-7595 fax. No phone calls.
Volunteer Opportunity
Asian American Voter Project
Nine community groups are joining together to increase voting
participation in the Asian American community. Our goal is to call over
12,000 voters and encourage them to vote in the June 3, 2008 Primary
Election. This project is a non-partisan effort that community groups
are doing to help our community. We are looking for paid volunteers who
can commit to 4 or 5 phone banking shifts. This is a good opportunity
for anyone looking for a way to get involved with this year’s elections,
and also make some money.
How can you be a voter mobilization volunteer?
1. From May 8 until June 3, come to our phone bank center in downtown
Los Angeles (located at APALC’s office).
2. We need people who can commit to several volunteer shifts; you can
come once a week.
3. Weeknight phone banking hours are from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. Saturday
hours are from 10 AM to 12:30 PM, and Sunday hours are from 2 PM to 4:30
PM.
4. We need volunteers who can speak: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean,
Tagalog, Vietnamese, Japanese, Khmer, Hindi, Urdu or other South Asian
languages.
5. We will train you on how to make phone calls to voters.
6. Be able to travel to APALC’s office in downtown Los Angeles.
What do you get by volunteering for phone banking?
1. Help our community to have a stronger political voice.
2. Stipends: $20 for 1st shift; $25 for 2nd shift; $30 for 3rd shift;
$35 for 4th shift; $40 for 5th shift.
3. Phone banking volunteers also receive food.
For more information, please contact Diana Jou at APALC - 213-241-0232
ext 232 or djou at apalc.org
Additional Information
Asian Business Association of Orange County (ABAOC)
Asian Heritage Month Celebration ~ Call for Nominations!
ABAOC celebrates Asian Pacific Heritage Month and honors community
leaders and role models. Nominations for community leaders and role
models are now being accepted. Click here for nomination form
howard.chan at abaoc.org
or questions.
Application deadline - April 30th.
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Innovative APIA Youth Vote Grant
Are you an 18-25 year old youth with an innovative idea on how you would
mobilize your Asian and Pacific Islander American community to vote?
Well here is your chance!
Create a voter education and mobilization project that will get your
APIA community to vote for the June 3rd Elections - and receive one of
six $1,000 grants from OCAPICA’s Project API Vote to do it.
Project ideas:
* Tabling at ethnic markets
* Class raps/dorm storming w/ Easy Voter Guides
* APIA ‘Why I’ll Vote’ community survey
* Create a viral video
* Develop a TV public service announcement
* Create an in-language voter song for ethnic radio play
* APIA Voter education forum
* Get out the vote door hangers in APIA neighborhoods
* In-language posters for ethnic businesses
* Guerilla theatre
* T-shirt campaign
* Bhangra the Vote/Luau the Vote Parties
… and much more! The innovation is up to you!
What Do I Have to Do?
If you are a youth leader, apply for the grant today! Project must be
affiliated with a campus or community organization for the funds to be
dispersed to. This would be a great fundraising opportunity for your
organization!
Project idea must be:
* Non-partisan and support no candidate or ballot initiative
* Educate and mobilize the Asian and Pacific Islander community of
Orange, Riverside, or San Bernardino community
* Have a bilingual component, preferably in Chinese, Korean,
Vietnamese, Samoan, Hindi, or Tagalog
* INNOVATIVE! Only you know what will best mobilize your peers to
vote!
In turn, we ask that you support OCAPICA’s larger Project APIA Vote by:
* recruiting bilingual volunteers to our bilingual phone bank
* Attending Project APIA Vote press events
* Distributing Project APIA Vote education materials into the
community
.
To apply, submit the following to Tanzila Ahmed, Policy Manager at
tahmed at ocapica.org:
* One 500 word proposal
* One weekly work plan leading up to June 3rd
* One budget of how the $1,000 grant will be spent
Developed by the Orange Country Asian and Pacific Islander Community
Alliance (OCAPICA) for Project API Vote. OCAPICA is a non-partisan
501c3 organization. Materials are created with support from The James
Irvine Foundation.
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OCA-OC
Embracing the Hopes and Aspirations of Asian Pacific Americans
Founded in 1973, the OCA is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit,
non-partisan advocacy organization dedicated to securing the rights of
Asian Pacific Americans through initiatives at all levels of the
government. Visit www.oca-oc.org
information.
Contact Info: contact at oca-oc.org or 13710 Alderton Lane, Cerritos, CA
90703
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