By Kaitlan Sakuma, 2026 CLA Intern
Since starting my placement in Assemblymember Fong’s district office, I’ve come to understand that representing a community doesn't just happen from behind a desk – it also happens by showing up. Over these past few weeks, I’ve gone from 626 mixers to hospital tours, each one teaching me something new about what it actually means to serve District 49. I came into this internship expecting to learn the mechanics of consistent services; what I didn’t expect was how much I would learn about the district itself, and about the many communities layered within it – several of which I belong to myself, beyond just my hometown.
From researching concerns, learning how to navigate phone calls with people who were frustrated, confused, or simply looking for help, to preparing certificates that recognize the achievements and milestones of people across the district, a lot of my day-to-day work has been centered on responding to constituents. At first, these tasks often felt procedural. But the more research I completed and the more certificates I helped prepare, the more I realized that every piece of work represented a real person trusting their local government to see them. That trust is not abstract, it is built by showing up for our community and responding to each constituent.
What has struck me most is the sheer range of communities that make up District 49. Attending events across the district has meant stepping into spaces that reflect the diversity of the San Gabriel Valley and beyond – spaces where I’ve recognized pieces of my own upbringing, and others where I’ve been welcomed as a guest and a learner. Being able to move between these communities, to connect with people who might otherwise never interact with their Assemblymember’s office directly, has shown me that representation isn’t just about who holds office. But rather, it is about who shows up on their behalf and how they do so.
This work has reaffirmed a feeling that I initially felt at the Capital Summit. That is, that the strongest kind of leadership is one rooted in presence. Assemblymember Fong’s office doesn’t just legislate for District 49; they show up for it, event after event, call after call. Being part of that has given me a clearer sense of the leader and public servant I strive to become: one who is not just working for a community, but who remains genuinely part of it. I am so grateful for the time I have had thus far in my host office. I am eager to continue building the communities in District 49 alongside an amazing team who truly understands these communities—not only as constituents but as neighbors.