I had the pleasure of meeting Marcela Perez while she was serving at the City of Grand Prairie, Texas. Her optimism and determination inspired city staff and community members to participate in small and large-scale engagement activities and helped encourage her peers to raise the bar even higher in their own engagement efforts. During her tenure, she implemented successful strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers, fostering strong community partnerships, and creating programs that deeply resonated with her community.
Marcela's journey from a young volunteer to an experienced public administrator is a testament to the transformative power of service and its ability to make a positive impact on both individuals and communities. Read on to discover how her journey began and how you can apply the lessons she's learned!
Inspired by Family: A Journey to Service
Marcela Perez's passion for helping others began at a young age, influenced by her family's commitment to help others. She recalls, "I always knew I wanted to help people. When I was a teenager, our grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and my brother immediately said,
'Even if we can't solve the problem right away, what can we do now to help?'
He began getting involved with the American Cancer Society's South Dallas Relay for Life and eventually became the event chair. He recruited the whole family to volunteer and serve on committees."
This early experience showed Marcela the profound impact that even small acts of service can have. "Being present and seeing the gratitude on people's faces for the things we were doing – it just felt good knowing that we were making a difference in their lives. Even if it was only serving a smaller group, we were still making a positive impact," she reflects.
Empowering Communities Through Education and Engagement
She believes that community engagement starts with education and awareness. She emphasizes the importance of connecting people at the local level to understand their community's needs and resources.
"Additionally, everyone should know where their tax dollars go and how they support neighborhood services and schools."
Her role as a public servant extends beyond providing services; it involves empowering the public with knowledge. "Being a public servant also means helping to educate and empower them to know what resources are available and what their rights are. For our younger generations, it means educating youth on how to be responsible citizens, which includes giving back and serving. If every person gave a little bit, it would alleviate the strain on local resources," Marcela adds.
Professional Growth and Innovative Opportunities
Her journey in public administration took a significant step forward when she earned her master’s in public administration from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in 2021.
She shares, "While working with the City of Grand Prairie, a unique opportunity was presented to both City of Grand Prairie and City of Arlington leadership by the University of Texas at Arlington College of Public Affairs, Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA), to begin a city employee cohort. This was the ideal graduate school setup for busy working adults, allowing us to attend class during work hours and on-site at either city’s government buildings. It couldn't have worked out any better."
Many organizations now offer cohort learning opportunities, where a group of peers work through a program together. This innovative approach to education allows participants, like Marcela and her colleagues, to balance their professional responsibilities with academic growth. Some organizations may also contribute a percentage of the program's cost, further facilitating access to educational opportunities and enhancing participants' ability to serve their communities effectively.
Creating Opportunities and Building Community Connections
Throughout her career, Marcela has stood firm to the core of community engagement - bring people together and creating opportunities. "From a public service perspective, this could mean connecting citizens with valuable government programs or activities. From a civic position, it can look like serving with or alongside local agencies to benefit underserved populations like low SES communities. From a business stance, it can mean connecting with your local Chamber of Commerce and networking with other small businesses to meet the needs of your community," she explains.
Marcela's multifaceted approach to community engagement highlights the importance of collaboration across different sectors to address diverse community needs effectively.
Tips for Aspiring Community Engagement Leaders and Professionals
Marcela Perez offers practical advice for those looking to make a significant impact in their communities. Her insights, drawn from years of experience, emphasize the importance of continuous learning, patience, and maintaining a supportive network.
Tip #1: Embrace Continuous Learning and Patience
Marcela's key piece of advice is to embrace the ongoing learning process and understand the realities of community work.
"My biggest advice for people who want to work with communities is to accept that there is a lot of learning and building to do, no matter how much you think you know."
Community roles often reveal their complexities over time, requiring patience and a willingness to grow. Marcela reflects on her early enthusiasm and the challenges she faced. "After you’ve experienced a role firsthand for an extended amount of time, you understand that you’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. For me, I wanted to serve the most amount of people and provide the most assistance so quickly because I was so eager to serve. I would want to do this or that and ask, how can we grow this? And how can we do this?" she says.
However, Marcela learned that progress in community and government roles can be slow, emphasizing the need for patience and mentorship. "Things don’t progress as fast as you want them to, especially in government roles. It’s important to have patience and seek out mentors in the same space who can help provide encouragement," she advises.
Tip #2: Set Boundaries and Maintain a Supportive Network
Marcela underscores the importance of setting personal boundaries and surrounding yourself with positive influences.
"Know how to set boundaries for yourself and stay in control of the things you let surround you."
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and keeping a supportive circle is crucial for sustained success and well-being. She also highlights the value of having a mentor. "Find an experienced and accomplished individual you look up to become your mentor. Someone who can offer insightful advice and wisdom to speak life into you," she suggests. A mentor can provide guidance, encouragement, and a different perspective, helping you navigate challenges effectively.
Marcela warns against negative influences and emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional health. "Stay away from toxic situations that impact your mental and emotional health. Control the things you look at and the time you spend on social media. Too much of anything can also drain you," she says.
Her advice offers a roadmap to cultivate resilience, stay focused, and achieve ongoing personal and professional growth. Through a commitment to lifelong learning, patience, and collaboration, each of us can play a role in fostering stronger, more cohesive communities. Marcela's example inspires us to move forward with confidence, recognizing the potential within ourselves to effect positive change in the world.
NEXT: Learn More About Tuition Reimbursement
Most government agencies offer some form of tuition reimbursement, depending on the degree you are seeking. As Marcela shared, many organizations also partner with local colleges and universities to provide cohort programs.
Short of full-ride scholarships, these options can be one of the most substantial, cost-saving, future-proofing opportunities you will ever come across. With the rising costs of tuition, I cannot underestimate the importance of researching these opportunities.
Check out the posts below to learn more about tuition reimbursement, how to find volunteer opportunities and more!