By Imani Lee, 2025 CLA Intern
As a volleyball player trying to get as many reps as I can, I find myself playing in tournaments in North El Monte, Garden Grove, El Segundo, Long Beach, and more. Although these tournaments provide me with great opportunities to connect with a wide range of community members, I wanted to be intentional about attending community events that focus specifically on civic engagement.
On July 13th, a couple other interns and I attended a Shoreline Cleanup at Dockweiler State Beach. Hosted by Ocean Wise, everyday individuals were invited to grab a trash bag and some gloves to collect trash along the shoreline. Initially, beach cleanup events might seem like a simple act of community service, but when we look closer, we can understand how they act as powerful forms of civic engagement. I had the opportunity to speak with some of the event coordinators, and a common theme that came up was the importance of educating the public on environmental issues. Policy and legislation heavily impact what sustainability, conservation, pollution, and environmental justice look like, and it is crucial that the people are empowered to care for their local environments. Although one of the other interns was stung by a stingray in the process, this event was both memorable and inspiring. We collected one bag of trash and left the beach not only cleaner than we found it, but with a deeper understanding of how civic engagement is directly intertwined with environmental conservation.
The very next day, CAUSE hosted a joint event with Emerge California, a program that equips Democratic women with the tools necessary to succeed in office positions. The event was extremely informative, and I left feeling reassured, knowing that if I ever choose to pursue a role in public service, I’ll have access to a very strong network to guide and support me along the way. It was inspiring to see such a tight-knit community uplifting other strong women leaders. We heard the personal stories of several remarkable individuals, including CAUSE Board members and Assemblymember Jessica Coloza. Not only was this event educational, this event also gave me the opportunity to network with passionate and driven people.
My biggest takeaway from this event was simple and maybe even cliché: be yourself. Throughout the afternoon, I engaged with numerous individuals, and by staying authentic, I was able to bond with someone over our shared love for game shows. If I were to put on a fake persona, I never would have brought this topic up and created a genuine connection with this individual. I am so grateful to CAUSE for making this event possible and for all of the inspiring conversations I had with such incredible community leaders.
