Aya Barnea’s journey with CAC began during her first year as a law student in 2008 when she stumbled upon the organization at a job fair. Intrigued by the impactful work CAC was doing, Barnea seized the opportunity to interview and secured an internship for the upcoming summer.

During her internship, Barnea contributed significantly to a major project involving a resident from Harwood Heights who had concerns about the village’s governance. She actively assisted the resident in navigating issues with the Board of Trustees.

“I had made two public comments at village board meetings, which was very scary for a first-year law student,” Barnea said. The community lawyer at the time helped her conduct thorough research and craft effective statements. This experience of confronting government officials in public forums left a lasting impression on Barnea, shaping her understanding of the importance of both civic engagement and accountability in local governance.

CAC played a pivotal role in shaping Barnea’s career trajectory, sparking her passion for local government issues and solidifying her commitment to public interest law. Barnea emphasized, “It showed me how central local government is to people’s lives and how important it is for people to have avenues to effect change.”

Barnea’s involvement with CAC also equipped her with essential career skills and a strong work ethic. Engaging with residents and local government offices honed her communication skills and provided valuable insights into effective advocacy strategies.