PROGRAMS
Events
OCA Greater Tucson hosts workshops and celebrations throughout the year which includes leadership training, voter registration, issues education, mental health education, cultural education, situational training to mitigate anti-Asian violence, curriculum training to teachers grades 5-12, and Prepare to Care workshops for caregivers of elderly loved ones.
OCA National has dedicated itself to advancing the social and political well-being of Asian-Americans and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) for half a century, changing thousands of lives along the way. The mission is carried out through programs that promote civic engagement, establish AANHPI curriculum in every state school system, educate on safe management of anti-Asian violence, provide leadership training for youth, address bullying and mental health, and encourage respect for AANHPI culture and history. To commemorate this milestone, OCA Greater Tucson hosted a 50th anniversary gala at the Viscount Suites and Conference Center on June 10th. Advocates and partners eHotPot, League of Women Voters Greater Tucson, Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, and YWCA of Southern Arizona gathered to support OCA and celebrate in an evening of cultural entertainment.
The silent auction featured luxury items, a weekend at the Albuquerque Sheraton, fine jewelry, and practical home goods and toys. All proceeds are applied to youth leadership programs, scholarships, Get Out The Vote, Prepare to Care for seniors, and COVID update programs. Award winning Mariachi Aztlán from Pueblo high school welcomed the guests and during the silent auction. Chapter President Leslie Moe-Kaiser welcomed guests. Tregg White, Vice President & General Manager KGUN9, served as emcee. Ms. Manisha Bewtra, Planning, Mobility, and Development Advisor to Mayor Regina Romero provided remarks on the Mayor's program for improving the lives of the underrepresented. OCA National President, Linda Ng, was keynote, sharing her experience with OCA and the growth in advocacy issues and programming since 1973.
The formal opening of the gala was marked by Chinese Lion Dance from Tucson Chinese Cultural Center. Throughout the evening entertainment was provided by Siva Maia Polynesian Dancers, followed by Chinese folk songs and New York Broadway tunes on piano, then Duochinoiserie, a duo of a classical guitarist and traditional Chinese guzheng musician. We are delighted to share OCA's national and local programming and look forward to collaborating and supporting other community efforts that enhance the well-being of the community.
more event photos available on the "gala photos page"
Bystander
Intervention Training
Opportunities
The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association offers free bystander intervention training each month. The training includes information such as:
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what harassment and "casual" racism look like in public
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how different ideas of race in America created the perpetual foreigner
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the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act
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how to intervene as a bystander while prioritizing personal and victim safety
For more information, visit the link below...
50th Anniversary Gala
BREAKING THE SILENCE
MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
Date
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Location
AARP Tucson Info Center Office
6700 North Oracle #331
Tucson, AZ 85704
About
Breaking the Silence is a free workshop which provides support for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) parents of school age children up through college, and for families anticipating caring for elderly loved ones or are already providing care either at home or in a senior living facility. RSVP to Leslie at: Lmoe_920@icloud.com. Please indicate whether you wish the vegetarian lunch. Fifteen seats remaining. Thanks to our sponsors, Raytheon ASPIRES and AARP!
Agenda
9:30 - 10:00
Bagels ’n Schmear, and Welcome.
Speaker: Leslie Moe-Kaiser, President OCA Greater Tucson. WAVES Certified Mental Health First Aid.
10:00 - 10:50
Breaking the Silence: Recognizing Depression in and Supporting Your Child.
Speaker: Justin Freitag, TUSD Counselor. Justin is a 22-year veteran at TUSD with grief and trauma counseling at Tucson Medical Center.
10:50 - 11:00
Break
11:00 - 11:50
Discussion, Resources, Q&A.
Speakers: Justin Freitag and Allen Miller, UA ’23, family experience, audience.
11:50 - 12:30
Asian Lunch and FCC family grant opportunity.
12:30 - 2:00
Prepare to Care and Coping Skills for the Caregiver.
AARP and David Young, long-distance care experience.
2:00 - 2:10
Relaxation activities announcement.
Speaker: Leslie Moe-Kaiser