ALTADENA, CA — Two college students who lost their Altadena homes in the Eaton Fire joined 12 peers for a leadership program in New York that included meetings with diplomats, United Nations officials and nonprofit leaders.
Ducien Allen of Pasadena City College and Kai Timbadia of USC participated in The Social Impact Firm's third annual UN Leadership Immersion program from Oct. 19-22. The Altadena-based firm said the program brought together students from 13 colleges and universities, including historically Black institutions, community colleges, Yale, Columbia and UCLA.
The students met with representatives of five permanent missions to the United Nations, UN Women, the Rockefeller Foundation and Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center. Discussions explored diplomacy, international advocacy and how smaller countries influence global policy, organizers said.
Allen and Timbadia, whose homes were destroyed in the January 2025 fire, received scholarships from Paseo Credit Union to participate.
"Being there helped me understand that I was meant to be at the table," Allen said. "Seeing how Rwanda rebuilt, with such confidence and service, rebuilding is something I'm working toward."
Timbadia said the experience changed his perspective on his ability to contribute.
"If small countries can influence massive global policy, I can make meaningful impact as well," he said.
Another participant, Drexel University junior Taslim Sabil, raised questions about the war in Sudan, where members of her family have been affected. Sabil is studying to become a social studies teacher.
"It was so important for me to ask about Sudan and report back to my family that this is very real," she said. "Someone is still advocating for us. Even though we're far away from home, home is still here."
Organizers said the meetings were held off the record to encourage open discussion. Students asked about women's representation in government, the crisis in Sudan and how diplomats handle setbacks.
"The world is hurting, and it needs new leaders with new perspectives, people who can turn hard moments into hope and resilience," said Bree Jensen, founder of The Social Impact Firm.
The program also includes a partnership with GoFundMe in which students receive coaching on storytelling and fundraising while running crowdfunding campaigns to cover part of their program tuition.
Organizers reported an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 in a post-program survey. All respondents said the experience connected them with leaders they otherwise could not have reached and increased their confidence in participating in global decision-making. The firm did not specify how many students responded.
"It made me realize there is no reason I should doubt my own capabilities," said Yale student Alejandra Paez Penaloza. "I am more than capable of working for the UN."
Applications for the 2027 program will open in the spring. Organizations and individuals can also become partners or sponsor a student.
More information is available at thesocialimpact.co or by emailing hello@thesocialimpact.co.
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