By Paolo Estrella, 2025 CLA Intern
This week has been nothing short of transformative. With the end of my internship in sight, my team and I are pushing through the final stretch with a renewed sense of urgency. The Soiree is just around the corner, and we’ve kicked into high gear—refining our strategy to pull in votes, maximizing every opportunity to connect with people, and deepening our understanding of how our policies reflect both our lived experiences and those of the constituents of Assembly District 49.
But the past few days have been more than just about campaign strategy. They’ve been about people. Their stories, their struggles, and their hopes for their communities.
During work hours, I’ve been joining Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza on a series of business walks, giving me the chance to speak one-on-one with small business owners before she arrives. One conversation in particular stood out. I met Catherine, an older Chinese woman who has run a modest hole-in-the-wall shop for 40 years. She shared her challenges navigating business paperwork and regulations due to limited language access. Her story was a vivid reminder of why language accessibility is more than just a policy point. It’s an issue that affects millions of Californians and reinforces the mission of our mock campaign: to ensure that the government works for everyone, not just those with the monterey means.
Outside of work, I attended an El Monte City Council meeting that was nothing like the council sessions I had seen growing up in Claremont. In my hometown, affluence buys indifference. Many of the local problems could be solved by simply throwing money at them. El Monte was different. The meeting was chaotic, heartfelt, and deeply engaging. Residents spoke passionately about issues that directly impacted their lives, including their outrage over an unfair contract that council members appeared ready to approve despite public opposition.
Witnessing that raw, unfiltered civic engagement was a powerful reminder of what community advocacy is truly about. Seeing people passionate about their community taking the conversation directly to those in power and refusing to be ignored was refreshing.
These experiences have solidified my commitment to building a future where people feel proud of their government. A government which listens, responds, and acts with purpose is vital for the wellbeing of society. It’s not just about policy on paper; it’s about the lived reality of the people we serve. And if this week has taught me anything, it’s that real change starts when strategy meets humanity.