Working with communities is more than just a job; it’s a calling that demands dedication, empathy, and resilience. Ruth Assi’s career serves as a powerful example of the rewards and challenges in this growing field. From working as a municipal community engagement liaison to her current role as a mental health clinician, her winding path illustrates the diverse opportunities within community work, and the profound impact it can have on both the individual and the communities they serve.
In this blog, we’ll explore Ruth’s experiences and insights, which offer valuable lessons for those considering a career in community engagement. Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your understanding, her insights provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities and rewards of working with diverse groups.
"You must remember that it is their neighborhood, and even though sometimes you think you know the way that something should go, it's up to them. And then, sometimes, they don't get what they want, and it's hard to walk away or say we'll fight another day. That is hard to do!"
The Journey from Community Engagement Liaison to Mental Health Clinician
Her career evolution is rooted in her passion for community and family engagement. Starting as a municipal community engagement liaison in Fort Worth, Texas, she learned early on the importance of building trust and fostering connections across neighborhoods. Her role required her to serve a diverse population of over 150,000 neighbors, each with unique needs and perspectives.
Her commitment to helping others saw her transition into the nonprofit sector, where she took on leadership roles, eventually leading her to become a mental health clinician. Her journey highlights a key lesson for anyone considering this field: adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning are essential.
Her career shifts demonstrate how skills acquired in community engagement- like active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution - are transferable across sectors, whether you’re working in local government, nonprofits, or healthcare.
The Realities of Community Engagement: Heart and Heartbreak
Theories and textbooks provide a solid foundation for understanding community engagement, but real-world experience is where true learning happens. Early in her career, she encountered both the joys and frustrations of working directly with communities. She recalls it being much harder than she had originally expected:
I didn't know it would come with so much heartbreak. Not everybody wants the same things, and they don't want to go about it the same way. The truth is that not everybody (even the ones who live on the same street) will want the same thing. People just need to be prepared for some heartbreak in this field because it may not go how you think it should - especially if you feel deeply invested. It’s not always like the success stories they tell you about in school. They make it look super easy, but that’s not always how it works."
This realization taught her an invaluable lesson: community work requires both resilience and emotional strength. Disappointment is part of the job, whether it's from plans going sideways or from differing opinions within the community. However, she urges aspiring community workers to stay committed:
"Just keep going despite the heartbreak because it’s worth it."
She also emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and understanding the complexities of people’s lives. She has learned that empathy, flexibility, and clear communication are critical to overcoming misunderstandings that can arise in community meetings, especially as our social media and virtual options continue to grow.
The Role of Trust in Community Engagement
One of the biggest challenges Ruth has faced throughout her career is building and maintaining trust within diverse communities. Trust is not built overnight, and it often requires years of consistent effort. She shares,
“Be patient with the community you’re serving because you’re new to them, and they don’t know you. You have to earn their trust over time.”
Her insights into the evolving nature of community groups, especially since the pandemic, further highlight the need for adaptability. While there were once established 'go-to' groups to engage with, there are now many informal networks that are just as important.
"When I started, there were key groups to connect with. Now, there are many informal groups, and building trust with them is just as important."
Being on the lookout for new groups, informal leaders and emerging coalitions can be particularly challenging but it is crucial in efforts to ensure that multiple voices are heard.
Overcoming Barriers: Building Relationships with Community Leaders
Another key aspect of her work has been forming collaborative relationships with community leaders. Her experience demonstrates that even when barriers exist, an open mind and a proactive approach can lead to meaningful connections.
She recalls a time with a vocal community advocate whom she initially found challenging. Instead of avoiding her, she chose to engage more deeply by attending her group’s meetings and learning about her concerns.
“Over time, our relationship improved. Now I don’t understand why she was ever seen as a threat. She cared deeply about her community, and that’s something I value.”
This experience highlights the importance of approaching every individual with respect and a willingness to listen. It’s a reminder that, in community engagement, the most productive relationships are often built on mutual understanding and a shared commitment to making a positive impact.
Navigating Personal and Professional Balance in Community Work
Early in 2024, she found herself at a crossroads, trying to balance personal aspirations with her professional commitments. She credits her background in social work for teaching her essential skills in self-care and flexibility, which have been vital as she navigates the demands of an evolving career.
She transitioned into a new role at a nonprofit organization, focused on breaking down societal barriers through intercultural programs, which has allowed her to use her skills in new ways. This work, which involves grant management, communications, and marketing, addresses critical issues such as class, ethnicity, religion, and gender - topics central to community engagement.
She also decided to pursue a Clinical License for Social Work (LCSW) - another reminder of her dedication to ongoing personal and professional growth. By providing remote clinical therapy to underserved communities, particularly BIPOC populations facing mental health challenges, Ruth continues to find new ways to merge her expertise in community engagement with her passion for helping others.
"It’s important to meet clients where they are, in whatever stage of life or crisis they’re in. It's not about what we want or think they need, but about meeting them where they are.
As she looks to the future, she is hopeful that this new season will allow her to prioritize her family and continue contributing to her community. Her current specializations include providing therapy for bilingual Spanish speakers, specifically in postpartum support, new parents, children, teens, relationships, couples, and OCD.
The Future of Community Engagement: A Path Forward
Ruth Assi’s journey offers valuable insights for anyone considering a career in community engagement. From the importance of building trust and resilience to the necessity of lifelong learning, her experiences underscore the complexities and rewards of this important work.
For those entering this field, her advice is clear: be prepared for setbacks, but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. The connections you build, the trust you earn, and the impact you make are what truly define your career.
Community engagement is about more than just organizing meetings or implementing programs; it’s about fostering meaningful connections and empowering people to be part of the solutions in their communities. Ruth’s story shows that while the work can be emotionally challenging, it is also deeply rewarding.
For those inspired to pursue a career in this field, the key takeaway is that persistence, adaptability, and empathy are essential. Whether working in local government, nonprofits, or other sectors, community engagement professionals like Ruth play a critical role in building stronger, more resilient communities - one connection at a time.
Additional Resources
Here are a few of Ruth's favorite resources and organizations:
United Way of Tarrant County: A nonprofit that brings people together to build strong communities where everyone thrives. As a nonprofit leader, we help communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit agencies to boost education, financial stability, and health resources.
Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas - Dallas Chapter: A nonprofit that seeks the advancement of women in corporate, public, and civic life. HWNT seeks to advance the educational, cultural, social, legal, and economic well-being of all women through a broader awareness of their role in society, business, and family.
Lisle International: A nonprofit organization, that promotes grassroots educational initiatives which purposefully foster intercultural understanding and leadership, tolerance, youth engagement, and development of improved relations among communities in conflict.
The and Way Therapy: A team of trauma-informed therapists serving individuals and couples in Austin and online across Texas and Florida.