Location:  Grand Hyatt New York

Convention Co-Chairs

David Fung, June Jee, Vicki Shu Smolin

OCA-NY will be hosting the 2011 OCA National Convention!  The last time the National Convention was held in NYC was 1993!  We are currently in the planning stages, but will soon need all the help we can get!  If you are interested in serving on the gala committee or just volunteering during the convention, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Hello OCA-NY Dragons, members and friends,

We hope you're all doing well.

Lets have fun and bring back the championship back to OCA-NY!

We are recruiting for members for our 2011 OCA-NY Dragon Boat teams.

We will be starting our practice sessions each and every Saturday beginning June 18, 2011 NOON @ Flushing Corona Meadows Park in Flushing, Queens.

Proposed practice session schedule ( approx. 2 hours):

• Meet in front of the boathouse in the parking lot
• Team announcements
• Warm up exercises
• Dragon boat ahoy ( Paddling in the water for about 50 minutes)
• Warm down

For location of practice session as well as Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, please check the website: www.hkdbf-ny.org 

For those of you are in good physical shape, please keep it up. If you have not been keeping up, please start NOW by building up your aerobic endurance exercises including jogging or biking( prefer min. of 30 minutes) as well as strengthening exercises such as Push-up, sit-ups, weight lifting,etc. If you need assistance in building up your endurance, please email us.

Note: Participating fee is $30 each OCA member. Members will receive one specially designed polo/tee shirt, refreshment during practice sessions and barbecue/drinks during 2 day competition. If you need a ride to practice session, please let us know and we'll try to arrange car pool, if possible.

If you know anyone who is interested in joining our team, please forward this email to them.
Should you have any questions, please e-mail us, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thanks and looking forward to meeting you all soon.

Michael Wu  and Chi Loek
Co-Captains

2011 OCA-NY 5^th Annual Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project:
“Do You K(no)w Me?”

$1500 in prize money.
Get your artwork featured in a museum.
Stop hate and hate crimes through art.

The Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project is a city-wide art contest for New York City high school students to combat hate crimes. OCA-NY is leading this project in partnership with Chinatown Youth Initiatives (CYI), South Asian Youth Action! (SAYA!), the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center), and Teens for Racial and Ethnic Awakening (TREA).

After a summer of training on hate crimes and art as advocacy, 12 high school interns selected by OCA-NY’s partner organizations will be the sole judges of all art submissions.

The theme for the 5^th Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project is, “Do You K(no)w Me?” Too often, perpetrators refuse to know the victims as individual people, and instead, commit violent acts based on their hatred towards a person’s race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age and/or disability. This year, our interns encourage New York City youth to move away from saying “no” to “knowing” and to expand their worlds through art and help us understand one another as complex selves.

Attend this event on Facebook and share the link with all your friends!

All artwork will be due by 12:00PM Noon on July 29^th, in one of the designated drop-off sites. There will be an opening ceremony for the Hate Crimes Prevention Project art exhibition on Monday, August 1^st, from 6-9 PM at the Museum of Chinese in Americas (MoCA) at 215 Centre Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Winners will be announced at the opening. To be eligible for the contest, you must be present for the exhibition opening. Stay tuned for updates on special guests attending the exhibition opening.

Questions? contact Joseph Lin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In the flyer below, see the document for the rules for submission, eligibility requirements, the artwork submission form and a list of drop-off centers.

ANNUAL SUMMER FAMILY PICNIC

Hosted this year by OCA-New York Chapter

Come join OCA and FCC families for a day of fun - a great way to stay connected and meet other families in your area.

All families welcome!

VAN SAUN COUNTY PARK – PAVILION C *

*  located near the Carousel.  Park in Area 3 and cross the road to Pavilion C

(look for balloons or OCA and FCC signs, which mark our area)

216 FOREST AVENUE, PARAMUS, NJ 07652

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

11:00am – 4:00 pm

(rain or shine – we have a covered pavilion)

BRING A DISH (with serving utensil) TO SHARE WITH 8 PEOPLE

OCA & FCC WILL PROVIDE HAMBURGERS & VEGGIEBURGERS, HOTDOGS, DRINKS,

WATERMELON AND PAPER GOODS 

All attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for our local food pantry.

Please support this service project by bringing one item per person.

CRAFTS TABLE, GAMES, BASEBALL/SOCCER FIELDS, TENNIS COURTS,

CAROUSEL, PLAYGROUND, PONY RIDES, TRAIN RIDE & WONDERFUL ZOO

For Children: Clown will make a guest appearance from 12 noon – 3 pm (free face painting, too)

Please feel free to bring folding chairs, mahjong or scrabble games, soccer balls, etc.

Questions: call Yu Sing Yee at (917) 518-8568

EVENT IS FREE, BUT ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED - please E-mail ysy3749@aol com with your name, number of adults and age &  number of children by September 10th, so we can plan for adequate food and supplies.

Also, please indicate if you can help for one hour to make our picnic a success and include your phone number. We need volunteers to help with the craft table, games, as well as setting up and cleaning up.

Please click below for event flyer

FROM GW BRIDGE:

Take Route 4 west, exit at FOREST AVENUE (get in right lane after McDonalds to exit; the former Forum Diner will be on your left).  Make right turn and travel FOREST AVENUE North.  Drive 2 blocks, the entrance to Van Saun Park, especially the sign, that time of year is always obstructed by brush that grew all summer long. Look for a dead end street named Justin Court; the entrance to the park is immediately after. .  Enter Park, proceed to fork in road and bear LEFT.  Park in Lot “3” which will be on to your left.  You will be across the road from Pavilion “C”.  Look for balloons or OCA and FCC signs.

FROM TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE:

Take 87/287 West to Garden State Parkway South, Exit 165 towards Oradell (going over Parkway, heading East).  At Second light, make a right turn onto FOREST AVENUE.  After 2 lights, make a left turn onto Spring Valley Road.  Follow Spring Valley Road to Continental Ave, and make a right turn.  Entrance for park will be on the right.  Enter park and pass Carousel to Parking Lot “3”.  You will be across the road from Pavilion “C”.  Look for balloons or OCA and FCC signs.

**  Warning:  Please do not make a U turn ANYWHERE in the Van Saun Park area.  Park Police have given out traffic tickets. **

Come to OCA-New York

 Annual General Membership Meeting

and Board Elections

Saturday December 10th, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

Confucius Plaza Community Room

33 Bowery, Chinatown, Manhattan 

Featuring special guests:

U.S. Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez

City Councilwoman Margaret Chin

Regarding Private Danny Chen’s case

Private Danny Chen, who was found dead on October 3, 2011 at his army base in Afghanistan after being hazed by his fellow army soldiers.  OCA-NY is the lead community organization advocating for justice for Danny Chen.  OCA-NY is also seeking answers from the army on what affirmative steps they are taking to integrate, support, and protect its soldiers living at the bases, particularly minority soldiers.

Family Members will speak and read excerpts from letters he sent his family from army training.

There will also be a brief power point presentation on redistricting. 2010 Census shows Asian American population in New York City is close to a million.  These numbers make it possible for more state and assembly districts to be drawn containing large APA communities with shared interests.

Lunch will be served.

Free for OCA-NY members, $5 for non-members

RSVP by December 5th to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please march with us to demand justice for Private Danny Chen on Thursday, December 15th at 6:00 p.m.

Over 30 organizations have co-sponsored this event with OCA-NY. To the sound of drums, we will march from the Army recruitment center on Chambers Street to Columbus Park, Chinatown for a candlelight vigil. (Please see flyer for more details).

TO: OCA-NY Members and Supporters 

Save the Dates!! To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, you, your family and friends are welcome to dance, walk or fly with OCA-NY in the Lunar New Year Parades in Chinatown, Manhattan on Sunday, January 29th and Flushing Queens on Saturday, February 4th.  Snow, rain or shine, this very festive and time honored tradition will go on!!  You can come dressed as you are or come decked out in Dragon costume.

Dress warm and in layers. We'll bring candy to pass to the crowd-you're welcome to also bring something for others to chew too!!  The event is free, but we need a head count.  To sign up, please contact the leaders below:

2012 Manhattan Lunar New Year Parade-Sunday, January 29th

OCA-NY contact:  Esther Yang, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Tel. (917) 369-0032

2012 Flushing Lunar New Year Parade-Saturday, February 4th

OCA-NY contact:  Chi Loek, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Tel. (917) 697-2842

Meeting time and location:  to be determined,(parade organizers are still planning) most likely 11:00 a.m. or noon-

Contact Esther to receive updated info, look for the OCA-NY banner and RED Balloon

Meeting time and location: 10:00 a.m., 39th Avenue and Union St. (opposite 109 Police Precinct-look for the OCA-NY banner

(Parade starts at 11:00 a.m.)

Thank you.  We look forward to seeing you on January 29th and February 4th!!  Happy Lunar New Year!!

Chinatown Restaurant Week:  March 9 – 18, 2012

OCA-NY is proud to be supporting Chinatown Restaurant Week, which will take place from March 9 – 18, 2012!  Organizer and Chinatown resident, Julie Huang, decided to coordinate this event to get “NYC to fall in love with Chinatown again.”

Local foodies, food enthusiasts and visitors to NYC will be able to enjoy three course, prix-fixe dinner menus for $18.88, which will include appetizer, entrée and dessert.   For details of this exciting event, including the list of participating, please visit www.chinatownrestaurantweek.com

Come home to Chinatown!

Birthday Salute for Pvt. Danny Chen

Hosted by OCA-NY

Thursday, May 24^th

Pace University HS

100 Hester St

7:30 PM

To purchase tickets, click here

Adults:$25.00 Students $10.00

Questions? Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Raffle Prizes: HD LCD TV, Wii Fit, 5-day Cruise, Starbucks gift cards, Blacklava T-shirts, + more!!

Please click here for more information about the performers.

Performers include: Amy Chen, Banny Chen, Binari Drummers, Corky Lee, Jason Chu, Jason Kao Hwang, Kris Lew, Magnetic North, Project Agent Orange, Taiyo Na, Yalini Dream

Co‐sponsors: Asian American/Asian Research Institute, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance‐NY, Chinatown Partnership, Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans, East Coast Asian American Student Union, FCCNY, Gin Sun Hall Benevolent Association, Korean Americans for Political Advancement, NYU A/P/A Institute, OCA‐Westchester/Hudson Valley, OCA‐Long Island, OCA-New Jersey, United East Athletic Association

This activity is not sponsored or endorced by The New York City Department of Education or The City of New York

Please click for flyer:

Dear OCA-NY members and supporters:

On behalf of the Board of OCA-NY, it is our pleasure to invite you to OCA-NY’s 36th Anniversary Community Service and Leadership Awards Gala, to be held at Grand Harmony Restaurant, 98 Mott Street, Manhattan Chinatown on Friday, September 28^th. The Gala will attract hundreds to celebrate OCA-NY’s achievements as a premier volunteer-based civil rights organization.  Please click here for information on sponsorships, placing an ad in the journal, and buying tickets.   This past year, highlights of our achievement include:

• OCA-NY’s widely publicized campaign for justice for Private Danny Chen, a 19 year old Chinese American soldier found dead in Afghanistan after being physically and emotionally mistreated by his fellow superiors, including being subjected to racial taunting and humiliation.  Our campaign for a transparent investigation has led to 8 superiors being charged and to the Army’s decision to hold the trials in the U.S.  We will be monitoring the trials in Fort Bragg, North Carolina this summer and fall.

• OCA-NY became a founding member of ACCORD, a coalition of Asian American organizations for redistricting and democracy. Reflecting the growth of Asian Americans in the 2010 Census, our collective efforts led to the creation of the first majority Asian American U.S. Senate District and two additional Asian American Assembly Districts in New York.  OCA-NY also assisted over 125 people at its citizenship trainings in Flushing and Elmhurst.

• OCA-NY’s Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project is now embarking on its 6^th successful year.  This year, we are partnering with Chinatown Youth Initiatives, Good Old Lower East Side, New York State Youth Leadership Council, and Sadie Nash Leadership Project.

• OCA-NY was the host city for the 2011 OCA National Convention that attracted more than 700 attendees from eighty chapters and affiliates across the country.  OCA-NY received the Chapter of the Year First Place Award, along with the award for advocacy, community development, and economic development.

We will also be recognizing the significant achievements and contributions of individuals and organizations that reflect OCA-NY’s vision of leadership and service to our community and to society.  This year’s honorees include:

Retired General Antonio Taguba, the 2^nd naturalized Filipino American to be promoted to General in the Army and author of the infamous report on abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

The New York Community Trust, the oldest and largest private foundation in the country.

Jacky Tik Wong, reporter, Singtao newspaper, the first to break the news of Pvt. Danny Chen’s case in the Chinese media.

Jennifer Gonnerman, Contributing Editor, The New York Magazine.

Please join us on Friday, September 28^th to celebrate our accomplishments as a community and as OCA-NY continues to play a vital role in the political, economic, and cultural fabric of our city and the nation.

Please click on the images below for the contribution form and flyer:

BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN NOW!!!

WHY??

• To vote in the 2012 Presidential Elections
• To keep your family united and safe from deportation. Since 9/11 more people of all ages with a green card are being deported
  every day.
• To travel with a U.S. Passport
• To apply for jobs with the federal government


Citizenship Drive:

Learn WHY it is important to become a US citizen NOW!

Free assistance from lawyers and qualified professionals to review your citizenship application!

Sunday June 18th, 2011
12:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Location: St. James Episcopal Church
84-07 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY
R Train to Elmhurst Ave. stop

Please click here for full flyer. (In Chinese, Spanish, Korean) 

BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN NOW!!!

WHY??

• To vote in the 2012 Presidential Elections
• To keep your family united and safe from deportation. Since 9/11 more people of all ages with a green card are being deported
  every day.
• To travel with a U.S. Passport
• To apply for jobs with the federal government


Citizenship Drive:

Learn WHY it is important to become a US citizen NOW!

Free assistance from lawyers and qualified professionals to review your citizenship application!

Please click here for full flyer.

OCA-NY DRAGONS WILL DEFEND ITS WINNING REGULAR MIXED II TITLE

20th ANNUAL HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL in NEW YORK

DATE:       Saturday, December 11, 2010

TIME:         11am – 2pm

PLACE:     Museum of Chinese in the Americas; 215 Centre Street; NYC

Light refreshments will be served.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

The Honorable Denny Chin

“My Path to the Bench, and My Life as a Judge, Including Cases Like Megan’s Law, The Million Youth March and Bernard Madoff”

Judge Denny Chin is the first Asian American appointed to the US District Court in New York and the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

In addition to the Board Elections and Judge Chin’s keynote address, we would like to hear from you what you would like OCA-NY to do in 2011, in addition to what OCA-NY has already planned, including details of the OCA National Convention from August 4 – 7, which OCA-NY will host.

If you are a current member and have not received a ballot for the elections, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will send one to you.  

Seating is limited. Please RSVP by December 7, 2010 to Elizabeth R. OuYang at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We look forward to seeing you!

Vicki Shu

Chair, OCA-NY Election Committee

OCA-NY will be the Community Sponsor of Michelle Krusiec’s “Made in Taiwan” on Saturday, August 14 at 2pm!

“Made In Taiwan” will run during at the 14th annual New York International Fringe Festival FringeNYC. Written and performed by Krusiec (Saving Face, ABC FAMILY's "The Secret Life of The American Teenager") and directed by Andy Belser (Artistic Director of the Juniata Theatre in PA, and The Gravity Project), “Made In Taiwan” will play five performances, August 14th - 24th, at The New School for Drama Theater (151 Bank Street. OCA-NY

“Made in Taiwan” is a family comedy that pits a young daughter against her mother. A woman who resorts to any action (including pimping her daughter out for fresh fish) in the name of education. The mother, pragmatic, foul-mouthed and world-weary, is determined to uncover the identity of her husband's mistress. The daughter, a young innocent, makes the mistake of announcing that Dad's mistress doesn't exist. Tragedy ensues in this David and Goliath story set in suburbia.

Tickets are only $10 and will include a group photo with Michelle following the show. OCA-NY currently has reserved 20 tickets. Please reserve your tickets early, as the theater seats only 120 people and we may need to increase our pool of tickets.

Please contact Vicki Shu Smolin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to reserve your tickets.

For more information about “Made in Taiwan,” visit www.maidintaiwanshow.com.

• Have the information and tools they need to stay well from breast cancer or find the disease early when it’s easiest to treat
• Have a place to turn for help 24/7 if they are faced with breast cancer
• Benefit from the progress being made toward finding breast cancer’s causes and cures.
• Get access to lifesaving mammograms and treatment

Saturday, Nov. 13th, 2010

OCA-NY Health Conference

"Empower Youth with Healthy Choices”

• Free for ALL high school students

• Interactive workshops on nutrition and fitness

• Raffle prizes include: Wii Fit, kitchen appliances, gift certificates, cookbooks and more !

• For more information contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• In collaboration with OCA-National sponsored by Walmart.

Please click for details

Please join OCA-NY on Friday, September 24, 2010 as we celebrate our 34th Anniversary!

To purchase tickets or be a gala sponsor, please click here.

Our honorees this year include:

MinKwon Center for Civic Action
Pi Family Foundation
Vicki Shu Smolin, Immediate Past President, OCA-NY

The gala will be held at:

East Manor Restaurant
79-19 Albion Avenue
Elmhurst, New York

Please contact OCA-NY at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Please click on image below for more details:

Each year, OCA-NY coordinates the Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project, which seeks to empower youth to understand what is a hate crime and work to prevent them through art.

For 2010, OCA-NY will hold a Hate Crimes Prevention Basketball & Handball Tournament and Art Contest.  Please attend an information session on July 23 at the Grand Street Settlement at 80 Pitt Street from 6 - 8pm.  The Tournament and Art Contest will take place on August 6 and  will be open to boys and girls ages 13 - 19.

UP TO $1500 IN CASH PRIZES FOR THE TOP FIVE WINNING ART SUBMISSIONS AND TROPHIES, TICKETS TO A LIBERTY GAME AND MORE FOR THE WINNERS OF THE BASKETBALL AND HANDBALL TOURNAMENT.

Please see below for rules and necessary forms:

- Art Contest Submission Form

- Tournament Rules & Entry Form

- Adult (age 18+) Waiver Form

- Minor (under 18) Waver Form

To view what OCA-NY did in 2009, click on the below image: