OCCTAC NEWS

Preschool group photographed by Jessica. Dear Friends! It is the time of year when we think about all the wonderful things that have happened for us this year and we want to take the time to say "THANK YOU! GRACIAS!" Our center would not be possible without all the hard work and dedication of all our staff and faculty, the assistance from our helpful volunteers, the generosity of our donors and the support of our community friends. Most of all we thank our students and their families for their unwavering support, enthusiasm and friendship. It means so much to us to see the children thrive! We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ana

Dear Friends! This coming Thursday you can have a delicious Baja style dinner and help OCCTAC at the same time! Rubio's at Main and Town & Country in Orange, right off the 5 freeway, will donate part of your dinner bill to our center. Just click the flyer above, print it out and bring it into Rubio's, anytime between 3PM and 9PM. We wish you a happy Baja style meal and Thank You for helping us!

Dear OCCTAC Friends! I am so happy to share with all of you that OCCTAC was selected for a donation from United Way! We are getting new computers from United Way and IBM thanks to Dr. Juan Carlos Araque! This is such a wonderful donation for OCCTAC and our families. Our students will have better computers for their high tech classes (graphic arts) and the parents will have access for the computer/technology classes that are made available through the Santa Ana College. Thank you Dr. Juan Carlos Araque and United Way for choosing our agency for this wonderful gift!!!! With sincere appreciation and respect, Ana Check out United Way at www.unitedwayoc.org

Dear Friends! We are thrilled to share this article from Yasmin Rincon on Yahoo Noticias. Gracias a Yasmin Rincon! Una puertorriqueña ofrece soluciones a familias con problemas a través del arte 10 de noviembre de 2008, 01:15 PM Autor: Yasmin Rincon Santa Ana (California), 10 nov (EFE).- El Centro Terapéutico de las Artes para Niños (OCCTAC) ha cambiado la vida de miles en el condado de Orange gracias a la iniciativa de Ana Jiménez-Hami, una puertorriqueña graduada en psicología y musicoterapia. Esta organización, sin fines de lucro, fue fundada hace 8 años por Jiménez-Hami, quien decidió dejar su trabajo como profesora universitaria para dedicarse a atender a niños y jóvenes con necesidades especiales. "Cuando hablamos de necesidades especiales es todo, pueden ser niños con autismo, o un niño que ha sido abusado, que tenga algún tipo de problema emocional o algún problema severo de conducta", dijo en entrevista con Efe

Dear Staff, Interns, Volunteers and Friends of OCCTAC, I want to thank you with all my heart. Everyone's effort and participation in creating our community altar was a tremendous success. It really looked beautiful and many folks stopped to look and photograph our amazing and large altar at Noche de Altares on Saturday Nov 1st. One woman told me that our altar was her favorite one, even Jackie from Calacas said that our altar was the most unique. Yeah!!! Many hours of creative work and your dedication made for a very special night. Hat's off to all who were able to help. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I. Love, Kathryn Forrest OCCTAC Visual Arts Director

Come and join us this Sunday! Kathryn Forrest will conduct the OCCTAC Patchwork Art Workshop of the Patchwork Holiday Show. We will only use recycled materials to create art. For more information, call (714) 547 5468 or The Road Less Travelled at (714) 836-8727. Patchwork Holiday Show this Sunday! Join us this Sunday for the 3rd installment of Patchwork-Orange County's premier indie arts & crafts fair. Over 75 local artists will be selling handmade goods including house wares, clothing, art, letterpress stationary, toys, jewelry and more. In addition, Patchwork will also have: * Food booths from Memphis Cafe, The Gypsy Den and The Crosby * kids crafting section by Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center * Music sponsored by Evocal & KUCI * button & bag-making from Harveys Original Seatbelt Bags * crafts from American Apparel A wonderful way to support your local economy while preserving the handmade tradition and having a great time! Sunday, November 9th f