The Heart of Community Engagement: Cultivating Lasting Relationships

For most of us, building genuine connections can feel difficult, but Tabitha Guess shows us it's both possible and deeply rewarding. As Fort Worth's Outreach Services Supervisor, she's discovered that vibrant communities grow from simple yet intentional actions, whether helping a refugee child get their first library card or launching virtual book clubs during a pandemic.

Drawing from her experiences in education, community service, and city government, Tabitha shares practical insights on building lasting relationships, adapting to change, and creating spaces where everyone belongs. Her story reveals how authentic community engagement goes far beyond occasional outreach events to create meaningful, lasting connections that strengthen our neighborhoods and enrich our lives.

The Foundation of Community: Relationships

At its core, community is about relationships. As Tabitha puts it,

"I define community as being in a relationship. It could be a neighborhood, a church, or even a group of friends. It's based on a relationship we've developed based on a common denominator."

This simple yet profound definition underscores a crucial point: proximity alone doesn't create community. You can live in a neighborhood for years without feeling a sense of belonging. The key lies in forging connections with those around you. Tabitha emphasizes this point, saying,

"You can live in a neighborhood but not consider yourself a part of a community. That's because you don't have a relationship with anyone there. We can't skip that part. We have to get in the door and show why we want to have our relationship with the people that live near us."

Beyond Outreach: The True Meaning of Engagement

Many organizations confuse community outreach with community engagement. While outreach is important, it's just one piece of the puzzle. Tabitha clarifies this distinction:

"I don't think community outreach is the same as community engagement. For a library, doing a tabling event or book giveaway is outreach. It's serving people daily, and that is a part of community engagement, but it's just one piece. Hopefully, that will lead to having an engaged community."

True engagement goes deeper. It's about building lasting relationships that withstand the test of time and adversity. As Tabitha notes, "Community engagement involves building relationships with people, and that's more than just one event or moment."

This depth of connection becomes evident in times of crisis. Tabitha shares a powerful example from the COVID-19 pandemic:

"You know when you're a part of a community when something terrible happens, and you know who you can count on. During COVID, people were reaching out to the Community Engagement Office, not because they wanted to reach out to the city or our office. They contacted us because we had built relationships with them over time."

Adaptability: Finding New Ways to Connect

The pandemic also highlighted the importance of adaptability in community engagement. When traditional methods of connection were no longer possible, innovative solutions emerged. Tabitha recounts:

"During COVID, the library started online book clubs. It is an excellent example of how to reach entirely different audiences. Discussing something like a book becomes personal because people are sharing their experiences and weaving them into the storylines. These virtual relationships led to a new audience we wouldn't usually reach."

This example illustrates how community engagement can evolve with changing circumstances, reaching new audiences and fostering connections in unexpected ways.

The Power of Personal Experience

Tabitha's approach to community engagement has been deeply influenced by her personal experiences in various careers. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the communities you serve:

"If I hadn't worked as a teacher, I would not be where I am now. I worked in a very low-income elementary school, teaching sixth grade to kids from all over the world. That job taught me about poverty. Without that experience, I wouldn't know the importance of fighting so hard for kids to have library programs and services."

This firsthand experience informs her work and fuels her passion for creating inclusive communities where everyone feels they belong. As she puts it, "I know what it feels like when you don't belong. We must remember that that's why we do what we do."

The Value of Volunteering

For those aspiring to work in community engagement, Tabitha offers a crucial piece of advice: become a volunteer yourself. She explains:

"I think that to have a career in community engagement or volunteer management, it's important that you also volunteer, even if it's even if it's an hour a month. You cannot connect with your volunteers and other community organizations if you cannot speak to what community service means to you outside of your job."

Volunteering not only provides valuable experience but also opens doors and creates networking opportunities. Tabitha adds, "If you want to work in community engagement, first become a volunteer. You'll be able to network and meet people from other organizations to help open doors in the future. People will appreciate that you started as a volunteer as you progress in your career."

The Ripple Effect of Small Actions

Sometimes, the most impactful community engagement moments come from small, seemingly insignificant actions. Tabitha shares a powerful anecdote about signing up a child for a library card:

"It may seem silly to say I signed somebody up for a library card," Tabitha begins, "but then I stop to think about that interaction." She goes on to explain that this wasn't just any child, but a refugee from a Middle Eastern country "where they were not allowed to read books."

This simple act took on a much deeper significance. As Tabitha puts it,

"It's not just about a library card. Now, I'm helping build a level of trust between not just the library but with the city."

This story beautifully illustrates how a simple act of kindness can have far-reaching implications. By providing a library card, Tabitha wasn't just offering access to books; she was creating a positive interaction with a government agency, building trust, and fostering a sense of belonging for a child in a new and unfamiliar place.

The Role of Family and Early Experiences

Tabitha's commitment to community engagement was instilled early in life, thanks to her family's example. She recalls a poignant memory from her childhood when her father spontaneously involved the family in a toy drive. "My dad was like, 'Oh, what are these people doing? Ok, kids, let's go get some toys to help,'" Tabitha remembers.

This simple act left a lasting impression on her. Not only did they donate toys, but her father went a step further, encouraging others to participate as well. Tabitha reflects,

"Looking back, that impacted me because he saw an opportunity to help and acted on it."

These early experiences shaped Tabitha's understanding of community service and its importance. Her involvement in church youth groups and mission trips further reinforced these values. "My dad was always there as a chaperone during those trips," she says, explaining how service was integral to her father's expression of faith. The impact of these experiences was profound and lasting. Tabitha notes,

"That was instilled in all of us kids and has carried over into our chosen careers. I don't think any of us could imagine having a job that didn't have some impact on the community in a way."

This family legacy of service has become a core part of her identity.

The Joy of Witnessing Community in Action

One of the most rewarding aspects of community engagement is witnessing the moment when people truly connect and understand the power of community. Tabitha shares one of her favorite experiences involving a group of immigrants visiting the library.

"One of my favorite things is watching a volunteer experience what being in a community means."

She describes a scene where immigrants came to learn about getting a library card, an experience that required four different translators. The impact of this multicultural interaction was profound. "They got to see the purpose of it all," Tabitha notes, emphasizing how these moments illuminate the importance of community work. She adds with enthusiasm,

"I get so excited when I see the look on their faces that everything has just clicked for them!"

These moments of connection and understanding are what make community engagement so powerful and meaningful. They demonstrate how seemingly simple actions, like helping someone get a library card, can build bridges across cultures and create a sense of belonging in a new community.

The Importance of Personal Growth

While focusing on building community, Tabitha also emphasizes the importance of personal growth:

"I think it's important to take the time to work on yourself and not be afraid to do that. I know it makes me a better manager. I know it makes me better at my job. I am working on what motivates me and figuring out how to improve."

This commitment to self-improvement enhances her ability to serve her community effectively and inspires those around her to do the same.

The Lasting Impact of Community Engagement

Building strong communities isn't about big events - it's about consistent, meaningful connections. As Tabitha Guess shares, true engagement begins with simple actions: volunteering at a local library, welcoming a new neighbor, or starting a book club. Whether in person or online, these small steps help transform neighborhoods into communities where people feel truly seen and supported.

Her insights offer both inspiration and practical guidance. Through genuine engagement, continuous learning, and adaptability, we can each contribute to building the kind of communities that not only survive but thrive - one relationship at a time.

The Heart of Community Engagement: How Tabitha Guess Builds Relationships That Matter