Kelowna, BC - Isolation has been a long-standing issue in the senior community. Even though today’s seniors are living longer and leading more active lives, too many still suffer from social isolation. OCCA Communities Association is proud to announce it has received funding from the ...Continue reading OCCA Receives Federal Support to Strengthen Community for Seniors
From castanet, Madison Reeve - Aug 24, 2025 / 8:52 pm | Story: 568188
Photo: United Way BC
Children participate in after-school activities as part of United Way BC’s expandi...Continue reading After-school support grows
Kelowna, BC — On Sunday, July 6, 2025, community members gathered at 1460 Inkar Road for a hands-on workshop to build free DIY air cleaners—simple, effective tools designed to improve indoor air quality by reducing exposure to wildfire smoke, allergens, and airborne pathogens. Participants not only learned about the risks ...Continue reading Community Comes Together to Build DIY Air Cleaners for Safer Indoor Air
Kelowna, BC – July 1, 2025
Kelowna, BC – The City of Kelowna is proud to unveil a special commemorative display at City Hall in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Kelowna Folkfes...Continue reading City Hall Display Celebrates 50 Years of Kelowna Folkfest
Kelowna, BC – On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the Eldorado Resort’s Manteo Waterfront Room filled with pride, emotion, and hope as the fourth cohort of OCCA’s Job Connect for Future (JCF) program graduated in front of family, friends, dignitaries, and community supporters.
Continue reading JCF Cohort 4 Graduation Marks a Powerful Milestone in OCCA’s 15-Year Journey
Are you OR your family members, friends still searching for the right job or thinking about making a career move? We’re excited to announce the launch of our Monthly JCF Expansion Workshop Series, starting this June! Please share this opportunity with them. Our first session will focus on essential topics to help you succeed in the Canadian workplace, inc...Continue reading JCF Expansion Workshops Begin This June
We’re delighted to have Adrian Marr and Charisse Daley join the OCCA Board of Directors. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and a genuine passion for community work into this role and will allow for the expansion of OCCA’s capacity and the continued delivery of our services.
Continue reading OCCA Builds Capacity and Welcomes Two New Board Members
KELOWNA, B.C. — The 2025 Asian Heritage Community Showcase, held on May 31, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Hall, was a celebration of culture, diversity, and community spirit. Over 300 attendees gathered for an evening filled with music, dance and to witness the diversity of cultures that make up the Okanagan. Hosted by the Okanagan Fi...Continue reading 2025 Asian Heritage Showcase Unites Community in a Night of Culture and Celebration
Kelowna, BC — May 3, 2025 — The OCCA Communities Association (OCCA) proudly hosted the 14th Annual Asian Heritage Month (AHM) Opening Forum at Metro Hub, Kelowna, launching a month-long celebration of Asian cultures, stories, and community building across the Central Okanagan. The event began wi...Continue reading Asian Heritage Month 2025 Launches in the Okanagan with Message of Unity and Active Allyship
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 29 at 6:30 PM
Continue reading Candle Vigil Organized by the Okanagan Filipino Canadian Society (OFC)
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the OCCA Communities Association hosted a Federal Election Vote Pop-Up and Town Hall Meeting at the Kelowna Downtown Library. The event welcomed approximately 80-100 community members throughout the afternoon, providing a valuable opportunity for res...Continue reading OCCA Successfully Hosted Federal Election Town Hall and Vote Pop-Up to Connect the Community with Local Candidates
Kelowna, BC – April 7, 2025 – The Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee is proud to present an inspiring cultural display at Kelowna City Hall in honor of the upcoming Asian Heritage Month, oContinue reading Asian Heritage Okanagan Committee Presents Cultural Display at Kelowna City Hall in Celebration of Asian Heritage Month
The OCCA Communities Association and the City of Kelowna proudly hosted the relocation ceremony for the Chinese Canadian Pioneers Commemorative Signage on March 24, 2025, at Kelowna City Park, honouring the history, contributions, and resilience of the Chinese Canadian...Continue reading Commemorative Signage Relocation Celebrates Chinese Canadian Legacy
OCCA representatives presented with the portrait of Kings Charles III at the Commonwealth Day Observance
The OCCA Communities Association is proud to celebrate the recognition of two ...Continue reading OCCA Honored with King Charles III Coronation Medal and Portrait Presentation
We are proud to celebrate Black History Month—a time to honour the rich heritage, resilience, and invaluable contributions of the Black community. This month is a reflection of the struggles, achievements, and ongoing progress of Black individuals who have shaped Canada into the diverse nation it is today and who have continuously fought for inclusivity. We stand c...Continue reading Celebrating Black History Month with OCCA Communities Association
The OCCA Communities Association is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the 2025 Spring Lantern Festival, held on February 9 at the Parkinson Recreation Centre. Celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake, this event attracted a diverse crowd of over 900 attendees showing up at different times in around five h...Continue reading OCCA’s Spring Lantern Festival Brings Community and Culture Together in 2025
In collaboration with the Chinese Freemasons, the OCCA Communities Association is presenting a unique historical display at Kelowna City Hall, featuring treasured family artifacts that showcase the courageous journey of immigration, hard work, and cultural celebration. Explore the rich history and resilience of the Chinese community in the Okanagan until the end of...Continue reading OCCA Chinese Heritage & History Showcase at Kelowna City Hall
The OCCA Communities Association is proud to announce the celebration of its Job Connect for Future (JCF) Cohort 3 graduation ceremony, marking a significant milestone in empowering immigrants and creating positive change in the Central Okanagan. The event was held on Saturday, November 16th, 2024 at Grizzli Winery in West Kelowna, and featured a day of inspiring s...Continue reading OCCA Celebrates Third JCF Graduation: Empowering Immigrants and Strengthening the Central Okanagan Community
The OCCA Communities Association successfully held its inaugural Town Hall Meeting on October 6, 2024, featuring all BC provincial election candidates, with over 100 attendees from various ethnic groups and age demographics. This event provided an important platform for residents to engage with local candidates and discuss ...Continue reading Successful OCCA Town Hall Meeting Engages Community with BC Provincial Election Candidates
The OCCA Communities Association is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of its Mid-Autumn Festival, held on September 14, 2024, at Grizzili Winery. With several hundred participants from across Central Okanagan, including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm, Peachland, and Lake Country, the event was a vibrant celebration of cultural dive...Continue reading OCCA’s Mid-Autumn Festival Draws Hundreds from Central Okanagan
Join us for a free in-person training session in Kelowna designed for community leaders and organization staff to boost voter participation in this fall’s elections. What can participants learn:
Kelowna, BC — May 2024
The Asian Heritage Month 2024 opening event hosted by OCCA Communities Association showcased diverse discussions led by Dr. Shirley Chau and captivating performances. Supported by ...Continue reading Asian Heritage Okanagan 2024 Opening Forum
Dear OCCA members and supporters, As February unfolds, we are honoured to join the nation in recognizing and celebrating Black History Month. This special occasion allows us to acknowledge the rich history, achievements, and contributions of the Black community that have profoundly shaped our society. The theme for Black History Month 2024 is...Continue reading Celebrating Black History Month: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”
2023 OCCA Newsletter has been released Click Newsletter 2023 to read.Continue reading OCCA News 2023
Covid-19 has been around for about a year and a half, and healthcare workers have been working non-stop. With the fourth wave, new Delta variants, and the thick smoke covering the region of bc, healthcare workers are feeling the strain more than ever. Through contacts with different nurses, the common issues have been personal fatigue and burnout, both physically a...Continue reading OCCA Supporting KGH Front Line Workers
2020 OCCA Newsletter has been released. Click Newsletter 2020 to read.Continue reading OCCA 2020 Newsletter
The OCCA launched Love and Help Activity on February 4th. We have helped shopping and necessary errands for many returned travelers in voluntary quarantines at home which benefit local communities in Covid19 epidemic prevention and reflected our sense of social responsibility. The elderly are at high-risk group in the Covid-19 pandemics. With financial assistanc...Continue reading OCCA Love and Help Activities
2017 OCCA Newsletter has been released Click here to read.Continue reading OCCA 2017 Newsletter
2018 OCCA Newsletter has been released Click here to read.Continue reading OCCA 2018 Newsletter
2019 OCCA Newsletter has been released Click here to read.Continue reading OCCA 2019 Newsletter
We respectfully acknowledge that the OCCA is operating on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
Please note that we will have a photographer on site during the events. If you prefer not to be featured in any photographs, kindly contact OCCA at info@occabc.ca.
