Councilmember Agran has created the Community Development intern program to encourage high school and college students to engage with their Irvine community and government. Periodically, interns from the program will feature projects they are leading. This week features Roy Kim, who has led community service and communications projects through the internship team. Out of his organizing, the Community Development team has interviewed small local businesses through the Irvine Farmers Market and planted native species shrubs and flowers at Quail Hill. through the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Hi there! My name is Roy. I am an intern in the Community Development Team. My favorite part has been working with my fellow peers. Besides connecting with my community, I enjoy taking photos, going thrifting, and creating art. I am currently a senior at University High School and plan to concentrate in visual arts and business management at Brown University in the fall.

As an intern, I manage social media posts, update the website, and coordinate community service projects. One memorable project I helped plan was our team’s visit to the Irvine Farmers Market. As part of our “Shop Local, Dine Local” initiative, I had the chance to interview small businesses; I enjoyed learning about their stories. I highly recommend supporting local small businesses and following our “Shop Local, Dine Local” posts on social media. 

Recently, our team worked with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy to learn about the management and protection of Irvine’s open spaces. We were able to get into the dirt and help plant native plants on the Quail Hill Trail. Irvine houses a unique ecosystem that, thanks to the Conservancy, residents can enjoy. The experience was a great reminder that protecting our environment can begin at the local level, and that Irvine’s backyard is filled with nature.

What is your favorite story of Irvine, its natural beauty, or its local economy? Send Larry an email at larryagran@cityofirvine.org!