Syracuse Sun

In January, shortly after the Eaton Fire started in Los Angeles County, California, Zayn Aga, a Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumnus from the class of 2021, participated in a donation drive organized by the office of U.S. Rep. Judy Chu. The event was aimed at helping residents affected by the devastating fires.

Large numbers of families attended the drive, sharing stories of evacuations and homes lost to the flames. Zayn Aga, who has worked as a field representative in Chu's Pasadena office for three years, was moved by the resilience he witnessed, particularly when he saw children playing tag while their mother waited for essentials.

“It was just such a human moment in such a tragic, apocalyptic scenario that it just really struck me that this is something people are going to have to deal with for years, and it’s real people just trying to get through it,” Aga said.

The Eaton Fire, which began on January 7, caused extensive damage including the destruction of nearly 9,500 structures, over 14,000 acres burned, and 17 lives lost before it was completely contained. Chu’s northeastern Los Angeles County district, home to nearly 750,000 people, was heavily affected. During this time, Aga responded to calls from evacuated residents, helping those who had lost homes and even family members.

Aga joined fellow colleagues in advocating for federal assistance and helped residents obtain medical supplies and recover critical documents. "It’s our job and our responsibility to make government work for people,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to government accessibility and effectiveness.

Despite evacuating his house, Aga actively volunteered, delivering supplies and searching citywide for donation centers. His initiatives included reuniting a lost dog with its owner. Grant Reeher, a professor of political science, praised Aga’s dedication, describing him as “the complete Maxwell package—empathy, dedication to service and determination to improve government.”

Reflecting on his education, Aga credited his Maxwell schooling for preparing him to assist others in crises. He recalled gaining particularly valuable insights from interning with U.S. Sen. Charles “Chuck” Schumer and U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi. Aga encapsulated his experience succinctly: “At its core, this was all just people doing their best and trying to be there for one another.”