On October 29, 2024, Austin Community College (ACC) teamed up with Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) to host the Red Bench Dialogue Event at the ACC Rio Grande Campus. Centered on the theme of “belonging,” the evening fostered warmth, connection, and insightful conversations. Attendees, which included ACC students, employees, and community members, were given an opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives on what belonging means to them. The purpose of iACT is to foster healthy relationships within the faith communities of Central Texas, making their collaboration with ACC especially significant for this dialogue.

Understanding Belonging

The ACC Office of Belonging and Purpose defines belonging as “the extent to which students feel personally accepted, respected, included, supported, and allowed to be their authentic selves by others in the school environment.” This definition underlines the importance of creating spaces where individuals can express their true selves without fear of judgment. At the heart of the Red Bench Dialogue Event was the commitment to fostering such an environment, allowing participants to engage in open and honest conversations.

A Warm Welcome to New Connections

The event kicked off with a light buffet-style dinner where attendees were encouraged to sit with strangers, fostering new connections right from the start. Accompanied by music from the ACC Student Jazz Trio, the atmosphere was both inviting and celebratory. Vegetarian meal options ensured that all attendees felt included.

After the meal, Larry Davis, ACC Vice Chancellor of Belonging & Purpose, delivered an inspiring opening speech. He emphasized the need for collaboration and connection, stating, “One thing we have in common is that we are all individuals, and this world that we live in is the only one that we’ve got. The better that we can collaborate, connect, and work together, the better we can make things better.” His words set the tone for the evening, encouraging participants to engage with open minds and hearts. He concluded his introduction with a powerful call to action: “Let’s build bridges.

Structured Conversations

Following Davis’s speech, iACT experts and ACC Social Psychology student hosts guided participants through a structured dialogue process. The Red Bench format emphasizes moderated small group discussions that are genuinely respectful and safe, allowing each voice to be heard. Participants shared personal stories and experiences related to belonging, and the atmosphere was characterized by mutual respect and understanding.

One participant reflected on the discussions, noting, “Belonging isn’t necessarily something that you’re born into. Even if you are, certain events outside of your control can cause your life to become uprooted and send you on that search for new community and connection…community is what you make it. Belonging is what you make it.” This sentiment highlighted the evolving nature of belonging in our lives.

Another participant shared insights on caretaker fatigue, saying, “One thing our group was mentioning was where you give too much of yourself…where you get caretaker fatigue. You’ve given so much of yourself that you lose yourself in the process and try to figure out how to find that space again.” This acknowledgment of personal limits and the need for self-care underscored the complexities of belonging and connection.

A Shared Commitment to Growth

Throughout the evening, attendees participated in deep, reflective conversations that challenged their perspectives in a healthy and constructive manner. Christopher Rzigalinski, ACC Service-Learning and Community Engagement Specialist captured this sentiment perfectly: “I think it’s important that students attend these events because they’re going to have their perspectives— in a very healthy way—challenged, which helps us all grow as a community.”

The dialogue culminated in a sharing session, where attendees had the opportunity to present highlights from their conversations to the larger group. This exchange not only reinforced the connections made during the discussions but also enriched the collective understanding of belonging within the community.

A Successful Evening of Connection and Understanding

As the evening came to a close, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the importance of belonging. The Red Bench Dialogue Event served as a testament to the power of community conversations.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Linda Cox, ACC Service-Learning Program Coordinator, said “ACC’s Office of Experiential Learning hosts the Red Bench event with our partner iACT in order to improve interfaith understanding and civil discourse, and we are thrilled that more than 130 people attended to share their experiences on the topic of ‘belonging’!”

“I’m especially excited that these transformative conversations were led by 32 trained ACC Social Psychology students and that over 60 additional ACC students attended. Thanks to Dr. Kathy Frost, Vice Chancellor Larry Davis, the Center for Government and Civic Service, and the many TLED teams and others who helped make this event a success.”

By fostering an environment of openness and respect, ACC and iACT have taken significant steps toward enhancing belonging and purpose in our community.