Bruins in the Community: Support Learning That Creates Change

Across Los Angeles, Bruins are standing alongside community partners to advance equity, challenge systemic injustices, and build a more just future. The UCLA Center for Community Engagement (CCE) connects students with nonprofits and community groups across Los Angeles so they can apply what they learn in class to real issues like housing, education, health, and immigrant support.

CCE's Student Advisory Committee

Through community-engaged classes, advocacy-focused internships, and research partnerships rooted in solidarity, students grow as leaders while contributing to lasting change. 

But many students face barriers that prevent them from participating fully. With your support, we can ensure that every student, regardless of financial background, can show up for communities and contribute to long-term, justice-driven change.

CCE supports community-engaged courses across 40+ UCLA departments, partnering with hundreds of community organizations focused on issues such as immigration rights, youth leadership, and climate justice. Through the Community Engagement and Social Change (CESC) minor, students gain real-world experience while responding directly to community priorities.

Yet transportation costs, unpaid internships, and limited professional development resources often prevent students from accessing these opportunities. Your gift removes these barriers and opens pathways for Bruins committed to equity and systemic change.

Students driving change alongside community partners:

Students in the course, “Engaging Los Angeles,” examine the city’s deep-rooted social inequalities—spanning racism, poverty, housing, health, policing, and immigration—while partnering with local organizations to understand how communities pursue equity and justice and to develop their own capacity as social impact change-makers.

Social Justice Research & Advocacy

Students in the Community Engagement and Social Change Minor are focusing their capstone research projects on issues related to immigration and the immigrant community in Los Angeles in 2026. They are working with partner organizations such as The Refugee Children Center, Para Los Niños, Hope Street Family Center, and the UCLA Undocumented Student Program. Topics include community collective capacity, culturally responsive legal services, the “promotora” model of community engagement, and navigating employment opportunities as undocumented college graduates.

What Students Say

“Working with peers, mentors, and community members has been very rewarding and has strengthened my collaboration and communication skills.”
— Zach Tomlin ‘28

“Seeing my research directly shape my partner organization’s work was incredibly rewarding.”
— Zephania Hartojo ’24

Open Access to Engagement: Transportation to Community Sites 

Help students reach community partners across L.A. by funding gas, public transit, and ride-sharing costs so that travel is never a barrier to participation.

Level the Playing Field: Scholarships for Unpaid Internships 

About 70% of students in CCE’s 195CE internship courses hold unpaid positions with significant time requirements. Your gift provides scholarships so that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of meaningful, justice-centered career preparation.

Build Future Leaders: Professional Development for Social Justice Careers

Support guest speaker events, mentoring programs, and leadership development opportunities that help Bruins pursue careers dedicated to equity, advocacy, and community transformation.

When you support students in our programs, you are investing in students who are using research, service, and advocacy to confront inequities and strengthen the communities of Los Angeles.

Donate today to empower Bruins who turn learning into action and action into justice.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE UCLA FOUNDATION'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FOR DONORS

Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.