about oca-gla

OCA - Greater Los Angeles (OCA-GLA) is the local chapter of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APA) in the United States. OCA-GLA has fostered the active participation of APAs in both civic and national matters, striving to instill a sense of social responsibility in the APA community through leadership opportunities and community empowerment activities. From its inception in 1991, OCA-GLA has made an impact in the greater LA area through community service, advocacy and organizing, education, and leadership development.

OCA-Greater Los Angeles Chapter is one of over 80 chapters around the U.S. that make up the OCA family. Key founding and chartered members include: Adeline Yoong, Chris Cheung, John Chiang, Terence Lai, David Lang, Allan Chou, Marissa Castro, Audrey Noda, Lily Lee, and Martie Quan. The Greater Los Angeles Area is home to the largest population of Asian Pacific Americans in the country. OCA-Greater Los Angeles Chapter addresses local, state, and national issues that affect our communities.

About OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates

Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. OCA is dedicated to securing the rights of Asian Pacific American citizens and permanent residents through legislative and policy initiatives at all levels of the government. OCA aims to embrace the hopes and aspirations of the nearly 2 million citizens and residents of Chinese ancestry in the United States as well as to better the lives of over 17.3 million Asian Americans across the country. 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 80 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 base 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. Please visit the OCA National (www.ocanational.org) site to find more information about OCA and the issues we are working on.