Melissa Rodriguez-McClain, 32

Nonprofit Management | Community Engagement Coordinator at El Refugio

Tell us about your calling. What brought you to your career field?

I’ve yet to be called to one specific career, but there is a common thread I’d use to describe my calling and it’s the act of serving others. I’ve been drawn to different career paths… Within each of those fields, my guiding question is, “How can I use my skills and resources to serve others?” I’ve been especially called to work with communities that are often overlooked. The variety of nonprofits I’ve served in Georgia have allowed me to effect change in the lives of those battling addiction and recovery; immigrants and asylum seekers; those facing homelessness or chronic, generational poverty; and college students from all walks of life. I hope to continue growing my skillset to serve whoever needs it, wherever I’m led.

What other activities are you involved in where you contribute to your community? Especially mention what you’re most excited about.

My friends joke that I never say no to a side quest. I’m involved in community theatre, both as a singer/actor and as a member of the Theatre Macon board of directors. Additionally, I teach yoga and Pilates in both Macon and Warner Robins. My husband and I own a voice studio called McClain Music where we teach piano/voice, and help students with audition prep. And, I am very involved in my church communities — both at Vineville United Methodist Church, where we are members, and Centenary United Methodist Church, a reconciling ministry that uses ministries to serve all (and they truly mean all). I moved to Macon in 2012, and it continues to grow in unexpected and thrilling ways. 

My side quests have been made possible because there are always new opportunities to give and serve the community, but also to grow as a person. There are so many non-profits with brilliant, impactful missions that I have yet to explore. Similarly, new businesses are born each month and the community leaders that I get to call friends keep finding innovative ways to bring the town together. I’m most excited about the way young leaders have started unifying their goals and mission to make a bolder and more brilliant Macon.

As you look to the future, what are your professional and personal goals?

I have spent the last few years working with immigrants and asylum seekers, both as a volunteer with the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago and with organizations here in Georgia like El Refugio and the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights. Professionally, I am slowly working toward more active involvement in this field, and I think I have my heart set on impact litigation as the next big adventure. There are several systemic injustices and institutional policies that affect those already pushed to the margins, and it would be an honor to play a small part in dismantling them. Of course, that would mean law school is in my future, so we’ll see where the chips fall. However, I’d ultimately like to stay working in this field and serving

folks who came to the United States looking for opportunities just as my parents did, but were met with hostility and abuse rather than the fruitful immigrant narrative I had access to.

What is your vision for our community?

Macon is a beautiful, diverse town with several adjacent communities and neighborhoods. I would love to see more leaders bridging the gap between them. There is a lot of division between communities here in Macon, but many will reiterate that in these cases, division is a tool for self-preservation and protection. 

Communities who don’t feel welcome in certain spaces will feel empowered to create their own, and that’s beautiful. I’d love to see more of these communities highlighted because so many individuals are creating beautiful spaces here. We talk a lot about asset-based community development in my field, and my vision is that we can start seeing Macon for all that it is and has, rather than all that it still lacks. We can’t really build from a place of scarcity, so I look to future leaders to bring recognition to the assets of their communities so we can all learn from each other and build something beautiful together.

When you talk about Macon to people who don’t live here, what do you tell them?

“You’ve gotta move here, I see Chuck Leavell walking around at least once a week.” Just kidding. I do mention him a lot because he’s a legend, but I also use that as a launching point to talk about how Macon is a city that feels like a small town. You get so many opportunities, not just to see the fruit of what’s been built, but often to be part of the building blocks themselves. From Bragg Jam to Storytellers, the legendary music scene we have, the farmer’s market vendors and bagel shop staff that know me by name — there’s always someone to talk to and new people to meet. To be held by community is very special, and it’s something that I’ve only ever felt in Latin America. Other cities I’ve lived in within the United States made me feel anonymous, but I don’t get that living here in Macon. Everyone has a story to tell and that means something!

How do you reach out to others to encourage more good doing?

I’m a yapper. I yap about everything — and always let people in on what I’m up to. Just the stories I get to share about the things I’m involved in typically get folks motivated to try something new out. I’m also lucky to have friends who are always open to trying new things and using their talents for good, so it’s not hard to build a network of do-gooders.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Starting a life with my husband was the best decision I’ve ever made. He’s truly my better half and is the grounding force that brings me home when my silly sense of wonder gets the better of me. As far as my achievements, I’m honored to say I’ve made my parents proud. They worked so hard as first generation immigrants, learning the language and culture, putting themselves through school and building their careers from nothing. They sacrificed so much for my siblings and I, so to be a product of their sacrifice and to have done so much with the skills and lessons they taught me is my greatest achievement. I hope to continue making them proud in all I do.