Community Empowerment Activists | Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good

Shoutout to our 2024 CEAs

Our 2023-2024 Community Empowerment Activists (CEA) are finishing up a great year. These eighteen individuals have embarked on a transformative journey in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. Through a yearlong immersive experience, they delved into the intricate web of systemic oppression and resistance, honing their skills in grassroots organizing, advocacy, and coalition…

Reaching Voters through Community: My Work with SF Elections and USFVotes

Read along on a journey of civic empowerment with Hannah Nelson as she intertwines her experiences with USFVotes and the San Francisco Department of Elections. In her blog post, Hannah shares the transformative power of community engagement, breaking down stereotypes of formal government work, and highlighting her role in making elections more accessible. Join her…

Beyond the Flames: Mental Health Equity in the SFFD

In this insightful journey, Evan Cajigas ’24, Finance, combines academic ambitions with a passion for joining San Francisco’s Fire Department. Assigned to the Behavioral Health Unit, Evan learns and navigates the challenges to address the department’s mental health needs. Through trials and revelations, his story illuminates the complexities of public service and the pursuit of…

My Journey in San Francisco’s India Basin

In this week’s blog, Jade Carter ’24 Environmental Studies, embarks on a mission to bridge gaps between local government and grassroots advocacy in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. Through hands-on involvement , they confronted deep-seated community mistrust and explored avenues for equitable development. Ultimately, their narrative showcases the power of collaboration, highlighting the author’s newfound…

Immigration—More than a Section in a Textbook

Read as Kemelyn Alvarado ’24, Politics, shares her journey of diving into the intricacies of immigration law and civic engagement as a McCarthy Fellow in San Francisco. Follow as she shares how life had its own lessons to teach beyond the textbooks. As a McCarthy Fellow in San Francisco I interned at the Office of…

My Summer Internship: A Leap of Faith

Soli Martin-Abascal ’24, a University of Delaware Biden Institute student and Equity Intern shares her unexpected and transformative experience in San Francisco this past year. Despite initially aiming for a different internship, she found herself assisting students with limited English proficiency. Through this experience, she discovered the power of genuine communication and the unexpected rewards…

Navigating the Path to Common Good: The Power of Conversations

As Caitlin Kennedy took her place on the illuminated stage, the Leo T. McCarthy Center had chosen her as the student panelist for the Conversations for the Common Good event, an opportunity to engage and gain insights from the young elected officials shaping the region’s future. Sharing the stage with notable figures such as Assembly-member…

Farewell USF

In this week’s blog, we share a warm farewell to our Communications Assistant, Aisha Williamson-Raun ’23, as she ventures onto her next journey post-grad. After being with the McCarthy Center for 2 years, find out where she will go next and where her passions lie for the future. I spent the last 4 years with…