Asian Social Justice Organization Teams Up With Census Week Of Action Campaign

Washington, DC – OCA, a national Asian Pacific American (APA) social justice organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates, is participating in the Census Week of Action, March 22-28. Census Day is only 8 days away and OCA encourages all members to fill out their 2010 Census forms before April 1.

The decennial Census count will directly shape how the United States is viewed for the next ten years, making it crucial for Asian Pacific Americans, as one of the fasting growing minority populations to be accurately counted. Census data will influence the allocation of over $400 billion in federal funding for our communities and determine the districting for political representation.

“OCA has been involved in Census work for the last 30 years and we are happy to work with our many chapters in helping to make the 2010 Census the most accurate count of our community yet,” said Ken Lee, OCA National President. “As a Census Information Center, OCA is committed to not only getting an accurate count, but also to help utilize the Census statistics to offer more support and resources to our underserved communities.”

Several OCA chapters, including the Greater Sacramento, San Mateo, Seattle, Detroit, Wisconsin, Georgia, New York, Eastern Virginia, and South Florida chapters have held successful Census events leading up to the Week of Action. Below are chapters holding events in the upcoming week:

OCA-Greater Los Angeles chapter is collaborating with the Asian Pacific American Bar Association to table in front of Empress Pavilion (988 North Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90012) on March 27 and 28, from 8:30AM-2:30PM. They will be reminding and helping people fill out their Census forms.
OCA-Orange County chapter is tabling in front of 85C Bakery (2700 Alton Pkwy, Ste. 123, Irvine, CA 92606) on March 27 from 10AM-2PM to encourage people to complete their Census form. A Census 2010 specialist will also be there to answer any questions.
OCA-Colorado chapter is partnering with other AAPI organizations in a community-focused event to actively encourage locals to complete and submit their Census forms.
OCA-Greater Houston chapter, in addition to the many Census events they have been holding, will also be answering questions about completing the Census forms on March 27 from 9AM-1PM at the Chinese Community Center (9800 Town Park, Rm 251, Houston, TX 77036).
OCA-St. Louis chapter’s “Fill in the 2010 Census” event will be held at the parking lot of the St.Louis Chinese American Newspaper Office (8041 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63130) on March 27 and 28, from 1-4 PM.
OCA-Columbus chapter is partnering with the Asian American Community Services center (4700 Reed Road, Columbus, OH 43220) and will have volunteers be available to help people fill in their Census forms during office hours 9AM-5PM from March 22-26.
OCA-Pittsburgh chapter is holding a "Fill out your Census form" party on March 28 with a Chinese school, the Tzu Chi Academy, where they will ask OCA members and parents to bring their Census forms to complete. On hand will be a local Census partnership specialist to answer questions.

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Washington, DC, OCA’s mission is to advance the social, political and economic well-being of APAs. Working with many national, regional, and local APA organizations through sub-grants from the Asian American Justice Center, OCA has been closely involved in outreach efforts and distribution of educational Census materials to hard-to-reach communities. OCA is also a part of the National Asian American Census Task Force (NAACTF), spearheaded by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. OCA has collaborated with NAACTF partners on a Census briefing for congressional staffers and co-sponsored several Census monitoring calls.

For more information on APAs and the Census, please visit FillinOurFuture.org, which includes a comprehensive calendar of events.

Lan Nguyen | Program Associate

202 223 5500 | lnguyen@ocanational.org