OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates

Founded in 1973 as the OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) in the United States. OCA aims to embrace the hopes and aspirations of nearly 12 million APAs in the United States.

OCA's goals are:

• to advocate for social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment;
• to promote civic participation, education, and leadership;
• to advance coalitions and community building; and
• to foster cultural heritage.

To achieve these goals, OCA is engaged in organizing its 100 chapters and affiliates across the nation to develop both leadership and community involvement. OCA chapters and our organizational and college affiliates are establishing strong local programs in all parts of the country.

OCA's based in Washington, D.C. gives the national office an effective vantage point for monitoring legislation and policy issues affecting Asian Pacific Americans. In addition, OCA is able to build national support and to work in coalition with other national groups around issues affecting Asian Pacific Americans.

OCA takes no collective position on the politics of any foreign country, but instead focuses on the welfare and civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.