What a ball of fire! That was my first impression after meeting Kay Moore at a Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) conference years ago. She was there representing the Travis Hill Neighbors in a neighborhood awards competition. Everyone who talked to her that week couldn't help but walk away feeling inspired and empowered by all the work they had put into revitalizing and preserving the history of their city.
Her tenacity and positive spirit were just a few of the reasons I asked her to share how and why she began volunteering.
It Started with Baby Steps
For Kay, volunteering began with small, meaningful actions as a parent with young children. The initial push often comes from a personal connection, like hearing that a child's age group lacks a volunteer.
This was the case when Kay stepped up to teach Vacation Bible School (VBS) for fifth graders, driven by the desire to ensure her child didn't miss out on a cherished experience she remembered having as a child.
"I started volunteering at church, but I don’t think most people usually just go and teach a Sunday school class."
At the time, she also had an infant daughter and initially hesitated, worrying about the time away from her. However, a touching moment during a class where her baby crawled for the first time, surrounded by encouraging kids, erased her doubts.
"I'll never forget one day after class was over, these kids were all standing around in the circle and I'd just picked her up from the nursery and was having this kind of mom guilt because I had left my tiny youngster in the nursery. I sat her down in the middle of the room and she started crawling for the first time. Before that, she had been hesitant to crawl and it seemed to me, a little delayed in that milestone. It was being around all those kids standing around and playing that she crawled for the first time, and I realized that I hadn’t deprived her of anything at all!"
This experience highlighted that her involvement not only benefited others but also enriched her own and her children's lives and was the beginning of her deeper commitment to volunteering.
A Fork in the Road: Should We Stay or Let it Decay?
Returning to Garland, Texas, to care for her mother, Kay and her husband found themselves at a crossroads. Initially, they had no intention of staying in the run-down neighborhood, "because it had decayed and gotten so run down."
However, after her mother passed away, they faced a crucial decision: to leave for the suburbs or stay and help rejuvenate their old neighborhood. The couple chose to stay, driven by a renewed bond with the area and a desire to prevent further decline.
"We saw this fork in the road... If we were going to stay, we were going to have to help fix the home up because it had decayed so badly. We had bonded and re-bonded with the neighborhood and thought that if we didn't take the lead, the neighborhood was just going to continue to deteriorate. That's when we decided we were going to dig in - and it became the birth of our leadership coordination in the neighborhood.
This decision marked the beginning of their leadership in the community, as they rallied with new and like-minded residents to restore their surroundings. "It all started of necessity," she reflects. As newer families moved in who wanted to be a part of this new revitalization effort, they started working together to make it happen. Their efforts turned a decaying neighborhood into a rejuvenated community, proving the power of collective action and determination.
Time to Make History: From Texas Historical Markers to Musical Dramas
It wasn't long before she and her husband soon took on the task of becoming stewards of their neighborhood's history, resulting in the installation of a Texas Historical Marker highlighting the significance of Travis College Hill and 11th Street to the history of their city. It would be the first of many historical markers Kay and her neighbors would help secure throughout the city.
Their expertise now extends far beyond their neighborhood and city, as they generously share their knowledge with others, empowering neighboring communities to preserve their stories. As their journey continues, they remain dedicated to projects that foster collaboration, preserve heritages, and provide opportunities to mentor younger generations.
All three goals perfectly aligned after partnering with other groups to form the non-profit, Friends of Garland's Historic Magic 11th Street. Since 2019, the nonprofit has hosted historic home tours, and Christmas events, and produced three musical dramas and one movie, including, "The Cactus Chronicles," which tells the story of the Manuel and Maria Valle family - Garland's first Latino family of record.
Their most recent musical drama, "The Flats: Cradle of a Community," debuted on April 14, 2024. The original script includes nine songs that depict the stories of Garland students during the 1930s and 1940s while attending the Garland Colored School on the site where the city's performance arts building now sits. The story showcases the solidarity, vibrancy, and community life of "The Flats" citizens as they dealt with life during segregation.
Senior Black and Latino families who resided in Garland during that time worked with nonprofit and local actors of all ages to bring their stories to life through music. Together, they're providing multiple generations with invaluable personal perspectives that will forever change the way they view the history of their city.
Tips for Networking with Your Local Representatives
In a world where many people feel disconnected from the political process, building relationships with local government officials can be a powerful way to make a meaningful impact. As Kay puts it,
"People may say they hate politics and don't want to have anything to do with them, but it's all political and that's the bottom line. I think you can be just as effective in your community by being an engaged volunteer."
Meeting your city council members is crucial.
"Most things are going to be voted on council-wide, including things that might pertain to your neighborhood. You need to be able to work with everyone on your council or governing body."
Get to know your city manager on a personal level.
"We entertain city staff in our home when they’re new to the city. We invite them over for a home-cooked meal - I think that's kind of a lost art. We enjoy having them come over so we can show them our neighborhood, and what we are about, so they can know our story."
Establish a working relationship with your state representative.
"Don't be afraid to seek out those individuals. They want to hear from and get to know what people want and what they need. Building that network is so important."
Invite your representatives over for a meal to bridge the gap.
"Ask your representatives to meet for lunch and where they’d like to meet. Would you rather come over? They always pick home-cooked meals! Then they’re going to identify you to your home, your neighborhood, and they can't help but think about those connections whenever they're making decisions that they know are going to impact where you're living."
By fostering these connections and sharing your experiences, you can have a significant influence on the decision-making process and ensure that your community's voice is heard.
Conclusion
Kay Moore's goals and achievements may seem a bit lofty to many of us, but her example of inviting everyone to the table, and leveraging others' unique skills and talents is what makes it all happen. She and her neighbors have helped create a legacy of collaboration and provided resources that future generations will continue to expand upon for years to come.
Additional Information
Check out some of Kay's favorite organizations and community efforts: