By Zackary Yen, 2025 CLA Intern
As I complete the first half of my CAUSE internship, I reflect on the growth I experienced this past summer. The most meaningful moments of my summer occurred at the end of the fifth week of my internship, when I had the privilege of visiting my State Capitol in Sacramento with my fellow cohort members.
The highlight of my trip was meeting State Senator Sasha Renee Perez. Having been in her district office for over a month, I have worked closely with my community to listen to the concerns and priorities of constituents in SD-25. When coming to Sacramento, I was able to witness the full arc of our state’s political process– where the voices of community members transform into legislation.
My time with the Senator at Sacramento has reaffirmed just how important our local level governance is. Right now is a time of uncertainty for the millions of immigrants–both nationally and in my own neighborhood. Just a month ago, federal immigration authorities detained six people in front of a bus stop on Orange Grove Boulevard, right in the heart of Senator Perez’s district.
During my time at the Capitol, I witnessed the Senator’s dedication to protecting her constituents, especially through her authorship of SB 805– a bill that would require law enforcement operating in California to display identification. Seeing my elected official work alongside hundreds of lawmakers and community leaders reminded me of the power of state-level governance—and the responsibility we all share to stay rooted in our communities.
As I continue through CAUSE Leadership Academy, I now carry the lessons I’ve learned from my time with Senator Perez, and I’m thinking deeply about how I can best serve my community. I am thankful for CAUSE for providing me with the opportunity to go to Sacramento to witness our legislative processes up close.