By: Rejie Baloyos, Community Advocate and Executive Director at ARI
California has long been the place where dreams come to life—a land of hope and possibility for people from every corner of the globe. For immigrants like me, it represents not just a new beginning, but a deep calling to contribute, to belong, and to give back. And there’s no better time to reflect on that journey than in May, as communities across the country celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
As a proud immigrant and AAPI community advocate, this month holds profound meaning. It reminds me of the men and women who came before—trailblazers who endured hardship, fought for opportunity, and laid the foundation for the lives we live today. Their courage lives on in every small act of service and every voice that dares to advocate for change. Like them, I’m proud to be American, proud to call California home, and proud to keep building a future worthy of their legacy.
But California, as beautiful and diverse as it is, faces a quiet but persistent challenge: litter.
Trash on our streets, in our parks, and near our schools is more than just an eyesore—it’s a reflection of how we treat our shared spaces and each other. But here’s the truth: we can change that narrative.
In the last year, Asian Resources Inc. (ARI) has supported Clean California, an initiative to remove litter, create jobs, and beautify California, by organizing three community clean-up events. Through these efforts, we’ve successfully removed 552 lbs. of trash from different neighborhoods in our community—and this is just the beginning.
What does this have to do with AAPI Heritage Month? Everything.
Because honoring our heritage isn’t only about looking back—it’s also about investing in the future. It’s about showing that we care not just with words, but with action. And that begins in the neighborhoods we call home.
Actions don’t have to be hard or big; they just need to start. Here are three simple tips I share with my team at ARI and the people I meet when I’m out in the community, cleaning up neighborhoods:
- Pick up the trash you see. It doesn’t have to be the trash you’ve made; any trash you pick up is one less piece of litter on our streets. If you’re going out for a walk, take a small bag and gloves with you. As you enjoy the fresh air and exercise, you can also fill the bag with the litter you see on the ground, making it a win-win activity.
- Don’t litter, especially when you’re on the road. Keep a small trash bag in your car for any loose trash created while you’re running errands or traveling. Oftentimes, people will toss items on the floor or out of their car windows because they don’t have a “place” for them and don’t want to create a mess. So, let’s make a place for it and make it a habit to throw any trash into your travel trash bag, which can be emptied or properly disposed of when you arrive at your destination.
- Swap single-use items for reusables. We all get thirsty, especially when we’re heading out for the day. Rather than stocking up on single-use water bottles, fill up a reusable bottle with fresh, filtered water. Not only can this save you money, but it can also help the environment by reducing the need to make new products, transport them to stores, and manage the waste when you’re done with them.
Cleaning up California is a shared responsibility and a goal we can all support. We all want to live in a place that is clean and welcoming, and if we do our part, we can create a community and a home we can be proud of.
Through Clean California and the work of community organizations across the state, we’ve already made great progress, but there’s still more to do. Let’s work together to create a healthier, cleaner California for everyone.
Find a clean-up event near you or learn how to organize one in your community by visiting CleanCA.com.
Rejie Marie Baloyos, Executive Director, Asian Resources Inc.
Rejie Baloyos is a passionate AAPI community advocate committed to empowering healthier people and communities. As a Filipino immigrant, she knows how challenging it can be to access programs designed to help people in need, which is why she has spent her entire career to serving and supporting people of color, low-income groups, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and underserved communities. Today, she leads Asian Resources Inc. as its Executive Director, providing critical support services, advocacy and opportunities to the most vulnerable populations in Sacramento County. Learn more at AsianResources.org.
