OCCTAC NEWS

Read it online: http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2014/06/latin_american_harp_festival_benefit_concert_santa_ana.php

See it live on hoylosangeles.com:http://hoylosangeles.com/news/2014/jun/19/mexicanos-paraguayos-y-colombianos-participaran-en/

Or read it online:    http://www.ocregister.com/articles/festival-622648-maestros-harp.html We hope to see you next week!

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Ana Jimenez-Hami's father, Freddy, never let her forget about the importance of helping those who weren't as fortunate as she. "He'd always say, 'You have to learn to give back to others in need,' " recalls Jimenez-Hami, 52, who now lives in Irvine, Calif. Two decades ago, when her father, mother and 13 others were murdered by gunmen during a robbery at Freddy's jewelry store, Jimenez-Hami's life was turned upside down. Searching for some way to make sense of her devastating loss, she thought back to her father's words and they inspired her to create the Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center, which uses the arts – be it painting, music or dance – to transform the lives of low-income children in crime-ravaged Santa Ana, Calif. "When he died, his words about 'giving back to others' were the very first thing that came to my mind," she says. And she put the words into action:

Dear Amigos! We are calling on you to join our first Marathon Charity Run. Don't worry! If you are not up to running 26 miles you can simply join our CrowdRise Team and help spread the word and help us raise donations. Fundraising Websites - Crowdrise And then of course, if you like to run, have your friends and family sponsor every step you take for us! Joining the team only takes a minute! Just click the link on "Click Here" above. The rest just takes a minute! Please go to  http://www.crowdrise.com/OCCTAC/fundraiser/orangecountychildren  and donate and join and share! Thank you!

Dear Amigos! We are very happy and grateful to be awarded a $5000 grant by the Zonta Club of Newport Harbor. We will apply the funds in accordance with the Zonta Club's mission to advance the status of women and girls in the Orange County community. Dr. Ana will be attending the Zonta Grants Dinner Program tonight. Thank you to everyone at the Zonta Club for their support of our Center's mission!

Dear Amigos, We feel loved! We were recently contacted by Arturo and Susan Echarte, founders and leaders of Acoustic for a Change who enquired whether we could use donated instruments. Of course we can! We always need instruments. Arturo and Susan gifted us with a beautiful piano, a Fender guitar, and an amplifier for our music programs. Please check out their website! Arturo and Susan Echarte have enriched the lives of so many youth in our communities by donating instruments, providing music lessons for underprivileged youth, live entertainment for charity events, and so much more! We are truly grateful to Arturo and Susan for coming by, taking a tour of the center and becoming a huge part of the OCCTAC family! What a sweet Valentine surprise! Wishing you all Much Love!

We are very proud to share the great news that our Founder and President, Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami, has been honored as an Everyday Hero by Everyday Heroes and Orange County Register. Please see here the story from Orange County Register: Everyday Heroes sponsor Fladeboe Automotive Group presented the Fladeboe Hero of the Year award, with President and CEO  Denice Fladeboe  giving the award to  Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami . As founder and executive director of Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center, Jimenez-Hami serves at-risk and special-needs children by providing music and arts programs. Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami (center) holds up her Fladeboe Hero of the Year honor presented by Fladeboe Automotive Group CEO Denice Fladeboe (at left) at the Jan. 28 Everyday Heroes Awards gala alongside Register reporter Samantha Dunn (at right). Jimenez-Hami, who came from a humble background, is powered by the strong belief of her parents in the importance of a good education and giving back