With a career in public service and a commitment to volunteering that spans decades, Reba Taylor Hill has become a cornerstone of community engagement. Her experiences have woven the threads of public health, education, and grassroots activism into a tapestry of positive change. As a Community Education and Outreach Liaison in Indianapolis, Indiana, she embodies the true spirit of community engagement. Her work in various communities throughout Indiana highlights the power of dedication, faith, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every individual to make a difference.
This post explores Reba's hands-on philosophy of engagement, her daily practice of spreading positivity, and her strategies for building trust within diverse communities. Through Reba's insights, we'll uncover the keys to effective community work, from empowering individuals to take responsibility, to navigating challenges with grace and empathy.
The Essence of Community Engagement
Reba's approach to community engagement is refreshingly hands-on. She firmly believes that true engagement goes beyond the confines of office meetings and phone calls. As Reba passionately states,
"Having a career in community engagement involves being in the community. It's not just making phone calls or being in meetings."
For Reba, community engagement means being physically present, lending support during events, and getting her hands dirty alongside the people she aims to help. She emphasizes, "You must be willing to go into a community when they have something going on and lend your support."
This understanding has been the cornerstone of Reba's success in her professional life and her numerous volunteer leadership roles, including serving on her neighborhood association and contributing to national non-profit boards like the Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) Conference.
The Power of Positivity and Encouragement
One of the most authentic aspects of Reba's approach is her daily commitment to spreading positivity. She starts each day with a simple yet powerful practice:
"Ask yourself, 'Who can I make feel good today?' and make a list. There's always something you can do to help others have a good day or make them smile."
This prayer warrior seeks divine guidance to encounter someone at work or in her path who needs encouragement, believing there's always an opportunity to brighten someone's day or bring a smile to their face.
Building Trust and Making a Lasting Impact
For Reba, the true measure of effective community engagement lies in gaining the trust and appreciation of the people she serves. She knows her work is making a difference when community members welcome her presence and express a desire for her continued involvement. She explains,
"You know community engagement is being done well when people receive you and want you to be there because they trust you."
This doesn't come easily. It's the result of consistent, genuine efforts to understand and address the needs of the community, but she faces this challenge with the knowledge that people are more likely to trust your motives when you're willing to invest your time in what's important to them.
Empowering Individual Responsibility
Reba is also a firm believer in the power of individual responsibility. She strongly emphasizes the need for people to participate in neighborhood associations and other public meetings, as their feedback is crucial in determining what is working and what is not. She urges everyone to speak up and get involved in local issues, stressing the significance of active participation in community affairs. As she assertively states,
"Everyone is responsible for where they live. If you want to see a change in your neighborhood, you need to go to a neighborhood association meeting and lend your voice because that's when you will really make a difference."
Breaking Down Barriers to Volunteerism
For those who might feel intimidated by the prospect of volunteering, Reba offers reassurance. She believes that the primary requirements for effective volunteerism are straightforward:
"The only skills you need to start volunteering are a desire to bring about change, some tenacity, and intuitiveness."
She encourages people to participate and bring new ideas to the table, acknowledging that while it may not always be easy, "if you show up, you will be heard!"
Creating Bonds Beyond Boundaries
One of her most cherished memories illustrates the true meaning of being engaged with your community. She recalls starting a Women's Bible Group in Terre Haute, Indiana, where ladies from diverse backgrounds came together to discuss their personal challenges and find guidance. Reba reflects,
"I feel like this is what it means to be involved in a community. It's not about what church everyone goes to or even about religion. It is all about lending your support to others."
Navigating Challenges with Grace and Empathy
Reba is the first to acknowledge that community engagement work isn't always smooth sailing. She emphasizes the importance of remaining calm and maintaining a spirit of grace when faced with challenging situations. She advises,
"You must be calm and have a generous spirit of grace. You must be willing to allow grace for them and what they're going through…without judging them."
She recognizes that angry reactions often stem from individuals' circumstances rather than personal animosity, noting, "They may be angry, but it's about their situation, not you."
She advocates for kindness, compassion, and empathy, encouraging those in community work to take a moment to calm themselves and avoid missing valuable moments of connection. As she wisely observes,
"Don't let your anger over how someone responds to you make you miss a moment. You don't want to miss a moment!"
The Ripple Effect of Community Engagement
Reba Taylor Hill's impact extends far beyond her immediate sphere of influence. As a public servant, she's not just fulfilling a job description – she's setting a standard for what genuine community engagement looks like. Her work with the Marin County Public Health Department is a prime example of how public institutions can truly connect with and serve their communities.
Reba's involvement in her neighborhood association showcases the importance of grassroots involvement. By choosing to be involved in local initiatives, she demonstrates that change often begins at the most fundamental level – in our own backyards. Her message is clear: every resident has the power and responsibility to contribute to the betterment of their community.
Her service on national non-profit boards, speaks to her commitment to sharing best practices and fostering collaboration on a larger scale. This multi-level approach to community engagement – from local neighborhoods to national organizations – illustrates the interconnectedness of community work and the potential for local actions to have far-reaching impacts. She is an example of someone who believes that community engagement is not just a career or a hobby – it's a way of life.
Conclusion
Reba Taylor Hill's life and tireless efforts in community education and outreach demonstrate the significant impact one person can have. Reba's approach offers a path toward unity and understanding in an often divided world.
By following her example of hands-on involvement and unwavering commitment, we can all contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities. I hope Reba's insights inspire you to take that first step, to show up, and to make a difference. As neighbors work together to uplift our communities, we may find that we, too, are transformed for the better.