OCA-Greater Houston Programs

The 2021 Youth Advocacy Summit is a national, virtual convening of youth leaders ages 16-21 who want to make an impact in their communities.

We can change how the game is played and win the ultimate victory - our collective liberations! Whether this is your first time getting involved, or you're already engaged in your community, we need you!

Join us to gain the valuable knowledge and skills you'll need to take your organizing and advocacy to the next level. We're fighting for justice in our democracy, criminal and immigration legal systems, environment, and across all aspects of our lives!

Youth Advocacy Summit is an annual week-long youth leadership event hosted by Mi Familia Vota Education Fund and OCA-Greater Houston.

Houston-area youth (ages 15-18) are invited to join us and learn about real-world issues that impact our local communities throughout the week as they converse with key experts, develop their leadership and organizing skills, and engage with elected officials. Past youth summit participants have gone on to testify at city council, lead voter engagement campaigns at their school, speak at press conferences at the state capitol, and represent their community.

The skills taught at the annual summit are lifelong skills that empower participants to become Greater Houston's next generation of community, business, and advocacy leaders. We encourage Houston youth to apply and join the pipeline of future leaders who will impact the Greater Houston community!

Students of diverse backgrounds (including but not limited to gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, legal status and income level) are especially encouraged to apply.

APA Y-Advocate is an annual half a day training focused on the development of APA youth in our communities. OCA National Internship alums from Washington, DC facilitate this training.

Students develop leadership skills

Students explore self-identity issues

Students gain awareness of social justice issues

Students gain an understanding of why it is important to advocate and not be afraid to speak up for themselves and/or others

Become a College Affiliate

Join the OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates family by becoming an OCA-Greater Houston ("OCA-GH") College Affiliate today! Founded in 1979, OCA-GH has helped to protect the right of AAPIs to vote through the national APA Voter Exit Survey, suing the State of Texas for Voting Rights Act violations, advocating for language access/inclusion, economic empowerment, Census outreach/organizing, and assisting green card holders to apply for citizenship for the past decade with our community partners. We work to develop the leadership pipeline of informed and civically engaged youth through our leadership and organizing year round training program in partnership with MiFamilia Vota and run the Houston AAPI Film Festival to educate on issues and support the stories of AAPIs. We are part of the larger movement for racial, social, and economic justice.

Asian Americans are the fastest growing immigrant community and have a growing social responsibility. We ask you to join our movement and be part of growing a powerful Asian American organization that fights for equality for all. Become an OCA-GH College Affiliate today!

Our hope is that our College Affiliates can serve as a channel to learn more about the issues impacting our community members at the grassroots level. This local to national channel directly informs OCA’s national campaigns, policy agenda, and other projects. As an OCA-GH College Affiliate, you will have access to our national network of Asian and Pacific Islander folks, receive “affiliate only” merchandise, be invited to meetings and events, and make meaningful contributions to our organization’s work. We are only as strong as our members! For more information, please contact us at info@ocahouston.org.

To become an OCA-GH College Affiliate, you can fill out this online form.

Apply Now!

Affiliate Benefits

Why should my school be part of OCA’s College Affiliate network?

Shape the future for Asian American Pacific Islanders through Political Awareness & Civic and Social Participation

Get access to Education & Scholarship Opportunities

Networking – 100+ chapters & affiliates across the US and a National HQ in Washington D.C.

Make meaning contributions to OCA and the greater AAPI community

What do I get from OCA?

Notices on upcoming local and national events relevant to Asian Americans

Opportunities to meet with Asian American community and political leaders

Opportunities to network with Asian American professionals

Receive the OCA-Greater Houston and OCA National Center eNewsletters

Receive the National publication, IMAGE, keeping you current on the nationwide concerns of Chinese and Asian Americans

OCA’s interactive training on Situational Awareness, also known as Bystander Intervention. In response to the increased rise of Anti-Asian/American, xenophobic harassment, and anti-hate towards marginalized communities of color, OCA is providing educational and awareness tools to combat these types of systemic oppression.

Access to internship opportunities

A booth at our in-person festivals and events and be able to auction gifts at our GALA to help raise money for your organization

Student discount for our national convention and our professional development conference

Community Service hours

Organizing skills and trainings

Organize exclusive film screenings at your college that support AAPI artists and filmmakers

Discounts on our OCA merchandise

10% off dining at Shabu House restaurant in Houston Chinatown

What do we as College Affiliates have to do for OCA-GH?

Work with our College Affiliate programs associate year round

Help recruit students and volunteers for our civic engagement work. OCA-Greater Houston works year round to educate our community on the importance of voting and encouraging people to fulfill their civic duty by registering and voting.

Commit to doing one voter registration event per semester

Help promote OCA-GH events on social media

Organize one TEA Talks session per semester. OCA-GH’s TEA Talks brings together a diverse group of API’s and allies to educate and raise awareness about issues affecting the API community. Our vision for TEA Talks is to build an intentional community of API advocates, informed about issues that affect APAs both locally and nationally and grounded in strong relationships that enable effective action, powerful advocacy, and change for our communities. Examples of workshop topics include: Asian American Immigration History in the South, Housing policies that protect affordable housing for low-income tenants, Understanding Election Runoffs, etc.

Attend one (1) local OCA-chapter event OR one (1) additional OCA National event

Join us as we strive to enhance the lives of Asian Americans, immigrants, and people of color through education, advocacy, and organizing! Become a College Affiliate today!

College Affiliate Partners

Asian Desi Pacific Islander American Collective (ADPAC)

Mission Statement

ADPAC (Asian Desi Pacific Islander American Collective) is an organization that strives to serve, educate, empower and represent the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American community at the university.

We are one of six agencies under the Multicultural Engagement Center (MEC) located in SAC 1.102. We plan and host events like YBO: You Bring Out the Asian American in Me! We also have AALI (Asian American Leadership Institute), the Breakthrough Conference, and a spring internship program.

We do our part in providing resources for the Asian-American community on campus and in the Austin area.

UVSA South | The Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of the Southern Region

Mission Statement

The mission of UST VSA is to empower students with a propensity for leadership, education and preservation of the Vietnamese culture, stewardship of our communities, and self awareness with the intent of advocating for progress at the University of St. Thomas.

Vision Statement

The vision of UST VSA is to be a thriving organization that’s achieved inclusiveness and equality, to foster leaders that are stewards of our communities, and promote the awareness and preservation of the Vietnamese culture through: resources, education, social awareness and embracing diversity at the University of St. Thomas.

Students and Mentors Achieving Readiness Together (SMART) is a Saturday morning mentorship program for 4th-9th grade students to get an early start on developing strong leadership and communication skills. Students are assigned hands-on projects in topics such as public speaking, storytelling, and civic engagement.

Through the creation of their own personal narratives and engagement in current events, students will develop the initiative and skills to be future leaders in both their careers and their local communities.

Currently seeking high school, college, and post-grad volunteers to serve as mentors!

Please contact jason.guo@ocahouston.org if interested.

Saturdays | 9:30-11:30am | KIPP Connect Houston, 6700 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77074

1 or 2 Saturdays each month JA Company Thrive meetings 1pm—3pm

Sat. 2/11 | 12pm—4pm | JA Tradefair | Memorial City Mall