Congressional Leaders Recognized by East Los Angeles College Foundation at Washington D.C. Gateway Internship Program Reception

East Los Angeles (CA) – East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and the ELAC Foundation proudly recognized Congress members Nanette Diaz Barragán, Judy Chu, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jimmy Gomez, Linda T. Sánchez, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis for their participation in the Washington D.C. Gateway Internship Program during a reception at ELAC’s Corporate Center. In attendance were Congress members Nanette Diaz Barragán, Judy Chu, Lucille Roybal-Allard.

The ELAC Foundation’s Washington D.C. Gateway Internship Program (WGIP) offers East Los Angeles College students an all expense paid summer internship in an effort to promote civic engagement and foster leadership. WGIP provides students with the opportunity to participate in the legislative, political, and administrative process in Washington D.C. “The ELAC Foundation Washington D.C. Gateway Internship Program helps East Los Angeles College students gain invaluable experience in leadership and public policy. Students are the future of this country and I’m committed to continuing to support civic engagement opportunities for our young people,” said Representative Barragán.

Congress members Nanette Diaz Barragán, Judy Chu, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jimmy Gomez, Linda T. Sánchez each hosted a WGIP participant this past summer and have served as champions for the program. The summer internship has become a shining example that creates and motivates students to be civically engaged in our communities. The WGIP also allows students the possibility to experience professional and personal development through their work on Capitol Hill.

“ELAC and ELAC Foundation is committed to providing experiences outside of the classroom for its students and is proud to give this opportunity to such remarkable students,” said said Paul De La Cerda, ELAC’s Dean of Institutional Development and Executive Director of the ELAC Foundation.

ELAC has one of the highest numbers of DACA students, including people like Javier Lopez-Quintana, who interned for Congresswoman Lucille Royal-Allard through this program and later transferred to UC Berkley.  “It’s so important that we help teach our youth about the valuable role that government plays in their daily lives, and that’s why I’m honored to host a member of the Internship Program in my office this summer,” stated Congresswoman Roybal-Allard.