Touring the Japanese Community Center in the East San Gabriel Valley filled my heart with joy. Even though it was scorching hot outside, the kids, in their summer camp programs, were filled with that youthful “I’m just happy to be here” energy and greeted CAUSE with the biggest smiles. We had the opportunity to tour the center with the amazing Pearl, who is the executive director of all programs at the JCC. We learned about how the JCC benefits the local community, we joined in on the summer camp’s hula dancing lesson, we ate popsicles with the campers, and we worked the camp store for the remainder of our day.
I always feel so hopeful and inspired after working with children. As we toured the JCC, a nostalgic wave of emotions fell over me as I tried to remember myself as an adolescent in summer camps.
Interestingly, there was no Filipino community center where I lived growing up, so my mom took my sister and I to the Peninsula Jewish Community Center for our fun summers in the pool. I didn’t take part in any of the programs at the Jewish Community Center, but I remember seeing other kids in groups playing games. I knew then what I understand now; that these types of programs can be transformative for a young child.
Growing up, it was rare to discuss our identities at school. My elementary school curriculum was for learning academic, hard skills - not for exploring and celebrating our different backgrounds. Summer camp was the only time where I, as a young child, could focus and hone in my skills on one subject, whether that be acting, dance, catechism, or more. I believe it is important to join groups or organizations that one’s identity grants them membership to from a young age, whether it be a cultural group, a faith group, or anything in between.
Our childhood years are some of the most critical years we have when it comes to our development and joining an identity-based group can be helpful in allowing children to confidently and comfortably explore what makes them, them. It’s important to give children the space to connect with what makes them feel at home and it was beautiful to see how the Japanese Community Center did that for their campers. This unique internship experience wouldn’t be what it is without these types of excursions and moments, so thank you CAUSE.