by Russellie Bongolan
For years I have caught episodes of shows like Laguna Beach, The OC, and Real House Wives. In my heart of hearts, I do consider myself an Orange County girl having gone to high school and college there. Yet it was not until I started working in the community that I realized that these shows do not really tell the whole story of the place I called home for 8 years. The real Orange County is actually a pretty diverse mix of people from all different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. One such organization that sheds light on the bigger picture of The OC is the Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance, or OCAPICA for short. Their mission to empower Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) has allowed the community to define their lives, and in turn re-define the real OC.
Dedicated to comprehensive services, their programs focus on policy and advocacy, community health, mental health, education, and youth. As a part of the umbrella that is the AAPI community, the Pilipino community in Orange County has greatly benefited from several of their respected programs. Their policy programs promote civic engagement by promoting participation in the Census, being part of policy making committees, and voter registration - giving voice to our people through government. Their health programs give voice to health concerns particular to the community like cancer prevention. The mental health programs are especially important, as the services they provide are tailored to our cultural considerations.
Then there are the youth and education programs that have helped re-define and give voice to many Orange County AAPIs over the years. Through the SOAR After School program, AAPI youth who are from underserved and low-income families have been given opportunities for academic achievement and character building. Project Cal 24, Young Leading Women (YLW), and Brothas form Otha Mothas (BOM) give young people the chance to examine and re-tell their own stories, allowing them opportunities to express themselves. The youth participate in a variety of activities that range from helping to build homes with Habitat for Humanity to organizing art installments and social justice-focused fashion shows. OCAPICA shows that the OC is more than just a breeding ground for dramatic reality TV material. The real Orange County with its sunshine and beaches is a place where real people live. . . . real people with real problems, with real stories, and real character and real voices.
For more information on OCAPICA, check them out at www.ocapica.org or search for them on Facebook. As a youth, an intern, a volunteer, or young professional, find out about opportunities to join and make a difference!
