Though online connections often overshadow face-to-face interactions, Nancy Tunell exemplifies traditional community building. As the Downtown Development Manager for the City of Garland, Texas, she has mastered the art of turning individual actions into collective impact, proving that meaningful change begins with simply showing up.
As someone who has witnessed countless small gestures transform into lasting community bonds, she reflects:
"If you have something to share, you should. Why keep it all to yourself?"
Through her work in her current position and while previously serving as the city's volunteer coordinator, Nancy hasn’t just coordinated volunteers; she has orchestrated a movement that breathes new life into public spaces and strengthens neighborhood relationships. From revitalizing skate parks to uniting divided neighborhoods through art projects, her approach to community engagement illustrates how authentic connections and sustained support can turn disparate groups into thriving communities.
Roots of Service: From Campus to Community
Her journey into community leadership began at Texas State University, where she discovered the transformative power of organized volunteerism through a campus event. Over the last two decades, the Big Event (formerly known as Bobcat Build) has evolved into the largest service project on the university’s campus, bringing together the entire campus community for a one-day event dedicated to volunteering across various service projects in the San Marcos area.
During the event, volunteers engage in a wide range of projects, including landscaping, painting, clean-ups, and community improvement initiatives at residents' homes, local schools, parks, churches, and neighborhoods.
"Seeing students give back and build connections with residents in the city was powerful. It was a moment where I saw how community service can change perspectives and create lasting bonds."
This early experience ignited a career focused on bridging divides and fostering connections - one that has since touched countless lives through innovative community programs and grassroots initiatives.
Small Steps, Big Impact: The Skate Park Revolution
One of her most striking successes while serving the Garland community emerged from an unlikely place earlier in her career: a local skate park. What began as a modest cleanup effort has evolved into a vibrant monthly gathering that exemplifies her approach to community building. This transformation was made possible through a partnership with an emerging nonprofit, Skate Park Respect, Inc., which is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of skateparks and skate spots.
The organization focuses on fostering a culture of respect and positivity within the skating community. They work by partnering with local municipalities and community members to organize regular cleanup events, educational outreach programs, and public events that bring skaters and non-skaters together. Founders believe that promoting the responsible use and care of public skateparks not only improves the public perception of skateboarding and enhances a sense of shared community ownership for both skaters and non-skaters.
"Before we connected with Skate Park Respect, they had six people showing up, without any supplies. Now, with a bit of support and publicity, our monthly cleanups have around 25 participants. It's incredible to see skaters join in spontaneously, realizing they can make a difference too."
This transformation didn't require elaborate planning or substantial resources. Instead, it showcased her ability to identify new partnerships, leverage existing community energy, and amplify it through strategic support and genuine engagement.
Beyond Check-Box Engagement: Building Authentic Connections
Though some may define community engagement as routine meetings and surveys, Nancy's approach stands apart. She recalls witnessing a developer's failed attempt at community outreach, which crystallized her philosophy on genuine engagement.
"The developer simply presented their plans without room for feedback. It was just checking a box. True engagement should feel natural, like a conversation that responds to the community's needs and perspectives."
Perhaps nowhere is her impact more evident than in her work uniting fractured neighborhoods. She shares a particularly poignant example of how a single project transformed community dynamics.
"There were four different neighborhood groups and an HOA, all blaming each other for issues. But by focusing on a shared goal - cleaning up and beautifying a common retaining wall - we turned competition into cooperation."
The resulting mural became more than just art; it became a symbol of unity, sparking ongoing collaboration through annual cleanups, creative installations, and neighborhood celebrations. "Now they're holding block parties and working together," she notes with pride.
How Small Acts Transform Communities
Her work consistently demonstrates how modest initiatives can catalyze profound change. She shares the story of a retired resident who found renewed purpose through community involvement:
"He was retired and felt a little lost. But through the bike rehabilitation project, he found a renewed sense of purpose by giving bikes to students who needed them to get to class."
This ripple effect - where one act of service inspires another - characterizes much of her work with the city. Whether connecting a refugee support group with local police or helping residents navigate city bureaucracy, her efforts create chains of positive change that extend far beyond the initial projects.
Working within municipal constraints while nurturing community creativity requires a delicate balance. Nancy acknowledges the tension between residents' aspirations and city regulations, sharing an example of a proposed graffiti wall:
"I understood their initial vision, but implementing it was going to be complex. Still, we can’t dismiss ideas outright; sometimes it’s about waiting for the right moment or the right support."
The Power of Persistent Connection
For Nancy Tunell, successful community building isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about consistent, meaningful actions that create lasting bonds. She emphasizes the importance of celebrating every contribution, no matter how small:
"Life is worth celebrating, and milestones are worth celebrating. We don't do enough to acknowledge each other's efforts."
This philosophy has transformed her role from a simple volunteer coordinator to a community catalyst. Through strategic networking, unwavering support, and genuine engagement, she has created a blueprint for community building that any city could follow.
Her work serves as a reminder that community transformation doesn’t require massive budgets or complex programs. Instead, it demands authentic engagement, persistent support, and a willingness to celebrate and amplify the positive energy that already exists within our neighborhoods.
Her success stems not from revolutionary approaches but from her ability to recognize the potential in every interaction, every volunteer, and every community initiative. Her insights offer a practical path toward stronger, more connected communities – each built one relationship at a time.
More Resources
Review these resources and organizations mentioned by Nancy:
Skate Park Respect is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving skateparks and skate spots through outreach, cleanup efforts, and promoting responsibility within the skating community. They organize public events and partner with local communities to maintain skateparks on a global scale, aiming to counteract negative attitudes toward skating.
Bobcat Build, also known as The Big Event, is an annual day of service at Texas State University that bridges the gap between the university and Hays County communities through volunteer work. Scheduled for April 5, 2025, it has grown to accommodate over 3,000 volunteers and has generated an impact value exceeding $7 million.
Texas State University is a public research institution located in San Marcos, Texas, offering over 200 degree programs across ten colleges.
The City of Garland, Texas, is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located within Dallas County with portions extending into Collin and Rockwall counties. It is located northeast of Dallas and is a part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
Texas Refugee System is part of the broader United States Refugee Admissions Program, which provides resettlement opportunities for vulnerable refugees. Houston, a leading city in refugee resettlement, offers various services through local agencies to help refugees become self-sufficient, including housing assistance, job development, and cultural orientation.