On June 13, 2022, Eliseo Ayala joined the City of Avenal’s city manager and city clerks’ departments to complete a summer internship. His position was made possible with the support of CCMF’s Judy L. Kelsey Memorial Fund.
The Judy L. Kelsey Memorial Fund offers $5,000 grants to local governments in California to fund internships. Fifty percent of the funding for this program comes from the estate of Judy Lyn Kelsey, a longtime California city manager with a passion for uplifting others. The other half of the funding is contributed by CCMF.
“Every day Eliseo brought in a can-do attitude and contagious smile that reminded all of us why we love Avenal and giving back to our community,” said Maria “Angie” Ortiz, Avenal’s City Clerk. “Having Eliseo this summer sparked new ideas of how we can interact with the youth, helping bring more interest to our local government.”
During his internship, Eliseo was assigned to several projects to improve the City’s marketing and communication efforts. He served as the City’s social media manager and coordinator, and was responsible for creating engaging social media content about community events and municipal initiatives. Beyond keeping residents informed about Avenal’s city government, he was integral in organizing and facilitating events, including hosting a pet adoption event in the City’s Rice Park. Beyond taking on leadership roles, he also assisted City staff with day-to-day administrative tasks.
“I am grateful to the City of Avenal and CCMF for giving me the opportunity to pursue this internship,” said Eliseo. “I enjoyed collaborating with Avenal’s dynamic city staff, and I am proud of everything I’ve learned through this experience. I look forward to applying what I learned this summer throughout my career.”
Applications for the 2023 Judy Kelsey Memorial Fund will open to California cities next spring. Visit the Judy L. Kelsey Memorial Fund webpage for more information.