By Zackary Yen, 2025 CLA Intern
My first week at CAUSE and the Office of State Senator Sasha Renee Perez was packed with exciting events, faces, and memories. During my first year of college in Atlanta, Georgia, I spent the election season canvassing, where I worked to gain support from community members by urging constituents to vote for certain candidates and contributing money to campaigns. After working with the State Senator’s Office in SD-25, however, I realized that good leadership is not just encouraging voters to cast a ballot– it is about maintaining promises.
During my first couple of days at my host office, I spent my time attending local community events in my district. Specifically, I had the opportunity to witness the unveiling of a mural dedicated to first responders of the Eaton Fire and attend Habitat For Humanity’s Rebuild Kickoff Event, celebrating the construction of the first Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) that will house Altadena residents who lost their homes. After witnessing the devastation in the Altadena community following the Eaton Fires, it was inspiring to see the community's hope and resilience almost half a year after this tragedy. It was particularly moving to hear the numerous stories of how community leaders, first responders, and those impacted by fires were able to continue to support each other amid such uncertainty.
Long after the press stopped releasing news about the fires, community support has continued. Non-profits, small businesses, and political offices have continued to provide for the needs of Altadena residents. Witnessing how the State Senator’s Office connects resources and submits
complaints for people affected by fires has revealed the Senator’s unwavering commitment to her district. The great leadership of those involved in the rebuilding of Altadena has shown me the importance of maintaining trust and support–even when times are difficult.
As I continue to work closely with CAUSE and the Office of State Senator Perez for the next month and a half, I am eager to learn more about how to use our civic and political processes to make a positive impact in our local communities. I also hope to hold myself accountable to the commitments and promises I will make during the internship—yes, even the pinky promises!
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.
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.