Upcoming Events

OCA 4-Chapters Annual Picnic Sunday, October 4, 2026 – 11AM – 3PM OCA-NJ is this year’s Host Chapter All ages are welcomed!! General Admission – $10 Per Person Free Admission for OCA Members in Good Standing Registration... Read More | Share it now!

OCA 4-Chapters Annual Picnic
Sunday, October 4, 2026 - 11AM - 3PM
OCA-NJ is this year's Host Chapter
All ages are welcomed!!
General Admission - $10 Per Person
Free Admission for
OCA Members in Good Standing
Registration includes admission to Train Ride & Carousel
Registration is required by 9/23

 

Please click "Read More" for important details!

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Now Available: 2026 Holiday Ball Sponsorship & Journal Ad Packages

The OCA New Jersey Chapter is proud to announce that sponsorship packages and Dinner Journal ad space are officially open for our upcoming 2026 Holiday Ball! Partnering with OCA-NJ offers your business or family a meaningful way to gain visibility while supporting vital advocacy, youth scholarships, and community programming for the AANHPI community across New Jersey.

Secure your package today:
Purchase Sponsorship Packages & Ads Online 

Critical Deadlines:
* Sponsorship & Ad Booking: October 30, 2026
* Artwork Submission: November 3, 2026

Printable Forms & Guidelines

If you prefer a printable version or need to share these forms with your team, download them directly here or click on the respective images below:

Download: Dinner Journal Ad Price List & Order Form (PDF)

Artwork Submission Instructions:
After purchasing your package online, please email: ads@oca-nj.org for artwork submission instructions.
Venue Details: The 2026 gala takes place at The Grand at 38 Lackawanna Avenue, Totowa, NJ 07512 on December 5, 2026.

In And Around Town

The public commemoration of Pvt. Danny Chen’s death will take place on Sat., October 3rd at the street sign, Pvt. Danny Chen Way, at 11:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. You are also welcome to attend the commemoration and give brief remarks (no more... Read More | Share it now!

The public commemoration of Pvt. Danny Chen's death will take place on Sat., October 3rd at the street sign, Pvt. Danny Chen Way, at 11:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. You are also welcome to attend the commemoration and give brief remarks (no more than 2 minutes please). The exhibit will be open to the public beginning on Sat., October 3rd (immediately following the commemoration at Pvt. Danny Chen Way) through Sat., October 10th, from noon-5 p.m. Please see below exhibit flyer and commemoration flyer.

Please RSVP to Liz OuYang, Member of the Committee To Keep Private Danny Chen's Legacy Alive by September 30th, lizouyang@gmail.com if you will be attending the private reception and viewing on Friday, October 2nd and/or the public commemoration on Saturday, October 3rd.  

AADL Marching in Philadelphia, PA, on July 3, 2026

By Henry Lee

Despite the last-minute 250TH SALUTE TO INDEPENDENCE PARADE cancellation due to the heatwave reaching 103 degrees, the performance team of the Asian American Dragon & Lion Dance Association was reassigned to perform outside Independence Hall. The public audience was surprised to see the Patriot Dragon accompanied by a pair of Patriot  Lions. The crowd was very supportive and appreciative.  

Thank you, the OCA-NJ Board members and the whole chapter, for the support to make our performance a reality.

Center for Asian Health's Wellness Day 2026 Recap

Article by Jenny Lee

OCA-NJ Chapter was proud to participate as a community partner with a table at Wellness Day 2026, held on Sunday, June 7th at the RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center in Livingston, NJ.

This year’s event welcomed an estimated 325 attendees and provided over 430 health screenings, highlighting the continued importance of accessible preventive care and health education in our communities.

Read more

AAPI New Jersey's 6th Annual Lantern Festival for Justice and Unity

Article by Wendy Chin 

On May 30, AAPI New Jersey's 6th Annual Lantern Festival for Justice and Unity at Edgemont Park in Montclair brought together thousands of people from all walks of life to celebrate our AAPI community and share a vision for a more just, inclusive, and welcoming future.

Click "Read More" to see photo gallery

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The 5th Annual NYC AAPI Heritage Month Parade

Article by Henry Lee

The 5th Annual AAPI Heritage Parade in New York City on May 17th, 2026, was filled with sunshine and smiling faces. The event is organized by Stephen Tin of the Better Chinatown Society, who also brings us the Lunar New Year Parade and firecracker ceremony in NYC’s Chinatown each year.


Click "Read More" to see our Photo Gallery

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OCA-NJ 25th Annual AAPI Heritage and Scholarship Luncheon

Article by Wendy Chin 

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the OCA-NJ AAPI Heritage and Scholarship Luncheon. The OCA-NJ Scholarship Program was established by former OCA-NJ President Virginia Ng to support college-bound high school seniors of Asian descent residing in New Jersey. Virginia's compassion and dedication to OCA's mission of advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans continue to inspire this important initiative.

Click "Read More" to see our Photo Gallery

Photos courtesy of Barbara Kee-Chen

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OCA-NJ Celebrates Year of the Fire Horse
Saturday, February 21, 2026

By Wendy Chin
Photos courtesy of Helen Yu, Jenny Lee & Wendy Chin
Click Read More to see Photo Gallery

OCA-NJ welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse at our annual Lunar New Year Banquet, with Edison Mayor Sam Joshi serving as our Honorary Guest. His longstanding advocacy, public service, and leadership have made a meaningful impact on the lives of Edison residents, particularly in a community as diverse as ours, where nearly half of the population identifies as Asian American.

Read more

 

 


OCA-NJ 2025 HOLIDAY BALL @ THE GRAND, TOTOWA, NJ
Photos by Joe Nunez Studio
www.joenunezphoto.com

Click "Read More" to view Holiday Ball Slideshow

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Monday, November 24, 2025 ~  Rutgers University Livingston Student Center

Rutgers Asian Student Council Hosts Inaugural Political and Professional Development Event - By Wendy Chin

The Rutgers Asian Student Council (ASC) successfully hosted its first-ever political and professional development event, drawing more than 85 students for an evening of dialogue, learning, and empowerment within the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community.

Read more

Lights, Camera, Action! Rutgers HKSA Temple Street Event Delivers

A Night to Remember - By Jenny Lee

The Busch Multi-Purpose Room was alive with the vibrant energy of Hong Kong on Saturday, November 15, as the Rutgers Hong Kong Student Association (HKSA) presented its highly anticipated Temple Street Event. The night lived up to its billing, offering attendees an immersive experience that expertly blended cultural festivities with exciting entertainment. From the moment you walked in, the aroma of delicious Hong Kong street food filled the air, setting the stage for an evening packed with captivating performances, engaging games, and unique local vendors.

It was truly a night to remember. Guests had the opportunity to shop from local small businesses and artists and try their luck at a variety of HK-themed game stations. Beyond the cultural immersion, the event offered plenty of opportunities for fun and fortune. A highlight for many attendees was the chance to win delightful raffle prizes. My granddaughter won the cutest stuffed animal & my nephew and I were among four lucky winners to win a gaming bag each! The sheer joy in the room was contagious, proving the organizers had truly mastered the art of engaging their guests. The success of the evening takes on an even greater significance when considering the cause it supported. A portion of the evening’s proceeds directly benefited our chapter, the OCA-NJ Chapter! As the volunteer treasurer for the OCA-NJ Chapter, the impact of these funds is personally understood to be meaningful and impactful, supporting programs like our annual scholarship awards for NJ high school students as well as funding our various advocacy efforts such as promoting social justice.

 

Members Appreciation Luncheon & General Election
Sunday, November 16, 2025

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

November is our annual OCA-NJ Membership Appreciation Luncheon and General Election—and it also marks Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates continue to rise within the Asian American community.

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2025 Center for Asian Health: Chinese Wellness Day

Photos courtesy of the Center for Asian Health, John O'Boyle & Derek Lee

June 8, 2025 - This year marks the 8th annual Chinese Wellness Day hosted by the Center for Asian Health. Held at the RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Center in Livingston, NJ, the Chinese Wellness Day aims to provide health education, screenings, and resources to the Chinese community. It also emphasizes preventative care and a holistic approach to well-being in the Chinese community. There were physician presentations, a meet the physicians session, and free health screenings. Many health professionals, medical companies and organizations supported this event by sponsoring vendors' tables at the event. This year’s event was a huge success with an estimated 350 people in attendance and over 500 health screenings performed, thus emphasizing this vital community outreach effort. 

Click "Read More" to view our photo gallery

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OCA-NJ E-Newsletter

August 2019 Edition ~ Volume 2, Number 2 Sheryl Chin, Editor (Click “Pop Out” arrow in upper right corner to read with hyperlink functions.)     April 2019 Edition ~ Volume 2, Number 1 Sheryl Chin, Editor (Click... Read More | Share it now!

August 2019 Edition ~ Volume 2, Number 2

Sheryl Chin, Editor

(Click "Pop Out" arrow in upper right corner to read with hyperlink functions.)

Download (PDF, 1.27MB)

 

 

April 2019 Edition ~ Volume 2, Number 1

Sheryl Chin, Editor

(Click "Pop Out" arrow in upper right corner to read with hyperlink functions.)

Download (PDF, 2.67MB)

 

 

OCA-NJ Past Events

FILM SCREENING FAR EAST, DEEP SOUTH Saturday, March 27, 2021 Followed by a discussion with The Film’s Producers THE OCA SUMMIT VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE JULY 29 – AUGUST 2, 2020 https://ocasummit.dryfta.com/ Click HERE to see the... Read More | Share it now!

FILM SCREENING
FAR EAST, DEEP SOUTH

Saturday, March 27, 2021
Followed by a discussion with The Film's Producers

THE OCA SUMMIT VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
JULY 29 - AUGUST 2, 2020
https://ocasummit.dryfta.com/

Click HERE to see the 5-Day Program Schedule

THE OCA SUMMIT VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE

July 31-August 2, 2020

https://ocasummit.dryfta.com/

Resilient Communities is a virtual two-day summit of plenaries, workshops, and entertainment for Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and allies across the country. The summit will consist of advocacy training and issue-based workshops on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted AAPI communities.

  • Community memberswill be able to discuss anti-Asian discrimination and hate incidents, civic engagement during a pandemic, impact on small businesses, mental health, and more.
  • Students will have the chance to explore financial literacy, career building, and college readiness this season.
  • Working professionalswill be able to hear from mentors and peers on the changes in corporate spaces and building inclusivity.

Workshops are free and open to the public, but  RSVP/Registration is required.

 

APIAVOTE PRESIDENTIAL TOWN HALL

June 27, 2020

https://www.apiavote.org/townhall

The Presidential Town Hall will be the largest convergence of over 5,000+ Asian American and Pacific Islander professionals and community leaders in the nation. We will be organizing virtually and it will be held in the afternoon of June 27, 2020. This is a historic moment because, as a collective group, this will be the largest opportunity for the presidential candidates to participate and address our communities' needs for the General Election. This will also allow our communities to unite our voices in political engagement this year and into the future.

 

NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

June 22-25, 2020 featuring workshops in 4 Tracks

Agenda - https://www.apiavote.org/summit2020-agenda

Detailed Workshop Descriptions - https://www.apiavote.org/summit2020

 

Track 1: CALL TO ACTION

This series of workshops focuses on organizing around issue priorities of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.  Learn about the recommended policies we want to hold candidates and elected officials accountable. Many of the issues are highlighted in the NCAPA 2020 Policy Platform, and many of these sessions are are being organized by members of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans.   These 1 hour sessions are scheduled to start at 5 PM and 7:00 PM EST every evening from June 22-25, 2020

Track 2: ENGAGE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

On Sunday, June 28, APIAVote will host individual convenings for 20 states and regions throughout the day in the afternoon.  This will allow participants to join their local area and learn about the nonpartisan plans and infrastructure that currently exists. This space will focus on how organizations and individuals can coordinate together to expand the capacity of voter engagement activities for this summer and fall.

Register to choose a specific region/state of your choice.

Track 3: ORGANIZING INSTITUTE

This track will focus on providing individuals and organizations the skills they need to effectively organize and implement nonpartisan voter engagement programs.  We kick-off this track with a briefing highlighting what we know about the AAPI electorate through the latest research and survey results.  Workshops will focus on National Voter Registration Day and Early Vote campaigns, how to reach first time or limited English proficient voters, digital organizing, engaging effectively on social media and much more.  These 1 to 1.5 hour sessions are scheduled to start at 5 PM and 7:00 PM EST every evening from June 29 - July 2.

Track 4: MOBILIZING YOUNG AAPIS

This track will focus specifically on Young AAPIs

 

 

19th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage
Virtual Celebration
Saturday, June 20, 2020

This Event has ENDED

Presented By
MILTON FONG, former NY/NJ
Port Authority Police Officer
COCHI HO, 21 year veteran of the FBI
Open to students entering High School through College
*Warning: Some mature content will be discussed, parental discretion is advised.
Saturday, March 7, 2019, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Afterwards, join us for A Special OCA-NJ Service Project:
Crochet Circle, 1pm-3pm
For more info, click HERE to see full flyer.
* Ongoing Toiletry Drive "Item Drop Off" accepted at this event.

 Come and Celebrate the Year of the Rat
with OCA-NJ Chapter! 
 Saturday February 8, 2020 at 5:30PM
Noodle Wong Restaurant
Parsippany, NJ

OCA-NJ Chapter Annual Holiday Ball
Saturday, December 7, 2019 @
The Bethwood, Totowa, NJ

We now accept online payments via PayPal & Major Credit Cards
Click HERE to be directed to our PayPal Payment Page OR
Look for the "PAY HERE FOR OCA-NJ EVENTS & PROGRAMS" Banner
located on the right sidebar of our home page.

Click HERE to print Event Flyer

OCA-New Jersey Chapter, the Chinese Student's Association of Stevens Institute of Technology & Chinese Heritage Institute
PRESENT
OCA-NJ Members Appreciation Luncheon, 150th Golden Spike Anniversary Film & Guest Speaker  Program
Featuring Russell Low, Author of "Three Coins"
Saturday, October 19, 2019
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
.

Click HERE to print or view event flyer for full details!

Public Commemoration of the 8th Anniversary of Pvt. Danny Chen's Death - Wed, Oct 2, 2019

PUBLIC COMMEMORATION OF THE 8TH ANNIVERSARY OF PVT. DANNY CHEN’S DEATH ~ WED, OCT 2, 2019, 11AM, CORNER OF CANAL & ELIZABETH ST., CHINATOWN. PANEL DISCUSSION @ MOCA ON THURS, OCT 3, 6:30PM. ADMISSION FEE $15.00. PLEASE CIRCULATE FLYER WIDELY TO FRIENDS & FAMILY AND POST LINK OF THE PANEL DISCUSSION AT MOCA ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE. View & Share this Facebook Page Link on your social media page.

TWEET on Oct 2: Tomorrow marks the 8th Anniversary of the death of Private Danny Chen. Danny had no idea military hazing and racism would take his life. Don’t forget his story. #dontforgetdanny

FCC & OCA 4-Chapters Annual Summer Family Picnic ~ Sept 8
FCC is our HOST this year!
Click HERE to see Picnic Flyer for more info!!

OCA-NJ 18th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Luncheon in honor of OCA-NJ Chapter Essay Scholarship Winners!
click HERE to view our Luncheon Flyer 

 

Sponsored by:
* FCCNY
* OCAdvocates Long Island Chapter
* OCAdvocates New Jersey
* OCAdvocates New York
* OCAdvocates Westchester/Hudson Valley
Co-Sponsored by The Pace University Global Psych Center

We hope to see you there!!

Click HERE or above image to view flyer
PERSONAL SAFETY AND AWARENESS ON CAMPUS 
AND IN CROWDED PUBLIC PLACES
Open to students entering High School through College
*Warning: Some mature content will be discussed, parental discretion is advised.
Presented By
MILTON FONG, former NY/NJ, Port Authority Police Officer
COCHI HO, 21 year veteran of the FBI

Celebrate The Year of the Boar with OCA-NJ Chapter!
2019 Lunar New Year Dinner & Celebration -
Saturday, February 16, 2019, 5:30 PM   

2018 OCA-NJ Annual Holiday Ball       

This year marks OCA-NJ Chapter’s 40th Anniversary!!
Come celebrate with us on Saturday, December 1, 2018 @
The Bethwood

Great turnout at our
MEMBERS APPRECIATION LUNCHEON & FILM FESTIVAL
IN CELEBRATION OF OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Sat, October 20, 2018 - 12:00 Noon

GENERAL MEETING:
Election of New Board Members
LUNCH AND FILM FESTIVAL
"Finding Samuel Lowe" 

Photos courtesy of Henry Lee & Laura Lee

Click to view or print our EVENT FLYER


"ADVOCACY, YOU & SKYROCKETING DRUGS PRICES"
Saturday, JULY 13, 2019
Guest Speaker
India Hayes Larrier - Associate State Director, Advocacy AARP NEW JERSEY
Click HERE or image below to see official flyer.

 

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