OCCTAC News - April 2021
Thank you to Acoustic For A Change
& The Echarte Family
Every year OCCTAC is blessed to receive musical instrument donations from Acoustic for A Change, a National Instrument Donation Program, www.AcousticForChange.com, that collects, refurbishes and places musical instruments in the hands of underprivileged children or organizations that work with them. Recently, our dear friends Susan and Arturo Echarte, the founders of Acoustic For A Change, came to visit us and donated 2 cellos and 6 violins for our Prep Arts Academy!
We thank them for their kindness and generosity, as always.
Mil gracias, Arturo & Susan!
Thank You Teresa Saldivar &
Teresa's Jewelers!
OCCTAC is so excited to receive a generous donation for our EISOA senior adults this year, just in time for Mother’s Day! Teresa’s Jewelers is the jewel of Orange County and a vital part of Santa Ana’s thriving downtown for 36 years, and owner Teresa Saldivar and her family have a passion for the city’s senior adults. For over 12 years, Teresa and her customers, friends and family have generously donated jewelry, accessories and toiletries each year to give to senior adults in the community. This year, OCCTAC older adults will be receiving special gift bags from Teresa’s Jewelers for Mother’s Day! Mil gracias Teresa and friends!
College Success for OCCTAC
High School Student Enrolled In Our
Youth Employment Program
We are excited to share that one of our high school senior students enrolled in our Youth Employment Program has recently been accepted to several universities in Sothern California, including Chapman University, Pepperdine, UC San Diego, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, and Cal Poly Pomona! Since Salma Martinez joined the OCCTAC Youth Employment Program, she was assigned a Case Manger that worked closely with her to receive tutoring with English, AP Government, as well as educational and career counseling. Salma Martinez’ main priority was to pass all her high school classes, graduate and enroll into college. Thanks to Salma Martinez' hard work she has been admitted to many universities that she applied to! The Youth Employment Program team and everyone at OCCTAC is very proud of Salma Martinez and look forward to hearing where her endeavors will take her next.
Spotlight On OCCTAC Arts
As we transition to a COVID-safe model of hybrid classes (a combination of virtual learning and limited-capacity in-person learning), OCCTAC Prep Arts Academy has been busy creating its newest multi-disciplined project, the music video “Oye Como Va!” The project features OCCTAC Prep Arts & Therapeutic Arts students and EISOA senior adults singing, dancing and playing instruments as well as editing and producing the video and audio. Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va” is part of our music video program titled “Music Across Cultures”, made possible in part through generous funding by the Artists In Schools and Youth Arts Action grants, in collaboration with the California Arts Council. Stay tuned for the premiere of our music video this summer!
April Events & Workshops at OCCTAC
NEW CONTEST FOR STUDENTS!
2nd Annual Aspiring Musician Challenge
Winners Announced May 29, 2021
Click here for official rules and link to upload submissions:
https://www.occtac.org/preparatory-arts-academy-music
Preparatory Arts Academy 2021
Classes for our amazing Preparatory Arts Academy are open for registration now! Studio Arts, Dance, Music, Media Arts and more! Call us or visit our website for more information on how your students can be part of the OCCTAC dream!
OCCTAC: 714.547.5468 https://www.occtac.org/after-school-arts-program
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
NEW PREP ARTS CLASSES
CURRENT CLASS SCHEDULE
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
OCCTAC’s Youth Employment Program is accepting applications! Santa Ana youth between the ages of 16-24 years old interested in gaining paid work experience, job training, and educational assistance are welcome to apply. For more information about the program and requirements please call the OCCTAC at (714)547-5468 and ask to speak with a Youth Employment Program staff member. Meetings are currently taking place by appointment only.
Become a Donor
Did you know that when you donate, you are improving your own health as well? A study by the University of Oregon found that donating activates the pleasure center in your brain. Voluntary donations are especially pleasurable and improve your happiness, joy, and contentment! OCCTAC is forever grateful to our Supporters and Community Partners! Their donations and support continue to help our Arts Center grow and bring opportunities to our families and community, and you can be part of this as well!
Please help OCCTAC by sharing our Social Media links, liking our page, sharing our events and donating to our center! Find out how by clicking on the link below:
Donate with Amazon Smile!
You can help OCCTAC today by donating money, choosing to donate on a recurring basis, or by designating “Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center” as your charity when purchasing through Amazon via their Amazon Smile program at www.smile.amazon.com. Here are the simple steps to designate OCCTAC as your charitable organization to receive a portion of the purchase price:
On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select “Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts” to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.
If you already use Amazon Smile for another charity, you can change your charity to "Orange County Therapeutic Arts" on your Amazon Smile home page.
We appreciate you and your continued support of OCCTAC’s mission to provide innovative, artistic, educational and therapeutic programs that inspire and transform children, at-risk youth, adults and their families to fulfill their highest potential.
