People always say that getting started is the hardest part of accomplishing a certain task or finishing a project. This is a sentiment I am all too familiar with, and it also applied to my feelings about beginning a new endeavor this summer, the CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA). I was extremely nervous to embark on this new adventure, with feelings of anxiety and a bit of fear in meeting the CAUSE staff, the other CLA interns, and the team at my host office placement.
One of the first discussions we shared as a cohort was what community means to us. As many reflected, we heard others share how a community may arise from a group with shared characteristics or experiences or a unit of people who share common values or interests. For me, community involves a sense of mutual care for one another through values of reciprocity, kinship, and care. This is something I sought to seek and build within our cohort to truly experience and feel a sense of community.
CLA interns defining the term community
Throughout the week, we participated in various professional development and educational workshops and listened to several community speakers, including James Choi, Charlie Woo, Nancy Yap, Jason Pereira (JP), Farrah Su, Calvin Chang, and others. Despite their diverse backgrounds, fields of work, and experiences, they all shared a deep love and care for the communities they serve. James discussed his role as a business owner in Little Tokyo and his efforts to host events that bring people together and support local businesses. Jason Pereira, at the Pacific Islands' Ethnic Art Museum, shared his passion for creating art that tells his family's stories and reflects his Samoan heritage. These individuals, whether collecting data, crafting communications campaigns, or creating art, are driven by a profound dedication to the well-being of their communities.
Director Richard Calvin Chang of UCLA’s NHPI Data Policy Lab presents on the importance of data disaggregation
As the week progressed, I reflected on my own love for the various communities I belong to, hoping to find a similar sense of connection at CLA—and to my delight, I did. The group quickly bonded, sharing meals, engaging in deep conversations, and laughing at jokes. At PIEAM, we had fun creating printed T-shirts, and our two-night stay at Cal State Long Beach was filled with late-night talks in the lounges, shared meals, and a live screening of the Presidential Debate. It felt like the shortest yet longest week of my life, as if I had known this group for three months, and the end of the week came too soon.
Intern Sydney Pike and Robinson Lee discuss their communication styles
Overall, in reflecting on this week, I can truly say that typically the start is always the hardest part, but not for this group. Building and experiencing community with CAUSE and CLA was almost instantaneous. This group is truly made up of amazing leaders who are passionate and ever filled with fun and care for each other. In searching for and needing a sense of community, I found it with this group, and I can’t wait for the rest of the summer to learn, feel, and care more.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of CAUSE or the CAUSE network.
Written by Sydney Pike, Leadership Academy 2024 Intern.
The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) for students is a nine-week, paid, internship program that prepares college undergraduates to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander community on their campuses and beyond.