Cecilia Bello: Footsteps Followed |
by Sheryl Wilde Cecilia Bello, new Director of Ancillary Services, remembers her father lovingly, “My dad passed away about ten years ago from colon cancer. “Both my father and mother came from a small village in Mexico. My dad was indigenous. He spoke a dialogue from Mexico.
“I learned from my parents about determination, hard work, working toward your goals and what you want in life. My dad’s goal was to be able to provide his children with a better opportunity and education.
“He came to the United States to give us that better opportunity. I admire him for being able to leave his family, leave his life in his village, and move to a new country, not knowing the language.
“He always told me he wanted me to have the opportunities he didn’t have. He always said, ‘What’s going to make you happy? Whatever makes you happy in your life, that’s what I want for you. Choose the road that is going to bring you to happiness.'”
Cecilia followed in her father’s footsteps, choosing a road to opportunity, and finding a fulfilling, twenty-plus-year career at Mountain Shadows. |
“My mom was raised by her grandmother,” adds Cecilia.
“She was always a stay-at-home mom. That’s something my dad always valued. He wanted his kids to have someone at home, someone to be there for them, because he was always working, working working.
“My mom raised seven kids. That’s a lot of work. I have four brothers and two sisters.
“My mom lives with me, and three of my siblings. We all take care of her. She’s still very independent. She can still do things on her own, but she has some health issues. It’s hard for her to realize there are things she can no longer do.
“I am really thankful for all she has done for all of us. She always wants the best for us. It’s great to have my mom with me, and with my siblings. We haven’t killed each other yet, so that’s good.” |
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“I have my family, but I then I have my Mountain Shadows family, too,” continues Cecilia. “Mountain Shadows is special, because we put our residents, the people we serve, first. That’s our priority. That makes us different from everybody else.” |
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“I started at Mountain Shadows as Direct Care Staff for Apple house more than 20 years ago,” adds Cecilia. “Then I became the Residential Coordinator for the Apple, Plum, and Maple triplex.”
Over the years, Cecilia held various positions, including Teacher’s Assistant at Exceptional Kids, Residential Coordinator for Jacaranda, Palm and Olive houses, and Program Assistant and Program Director for Community Services.
She was recently promoted to Director of Ancillary Services, where she will oversee Mountain Shadows New Beginnings, our therapeutic day program, Mountain Shadows Outreach Services, Community Services, and our Transportation program. |
“With Cecilia, it’s not about the title,” says Stacy Sullivan, Executive Director, Mountain Shadows Support Group and Mountain Shadows Ancillary Services. “It’s about getting the job done. It’s about doing the right thing, and it’s about doing it well.
“Over the years, I saw her put herself through college, and that was not an easy thing to do. She was working at Mountain Shadows full-time and going to school. “Cecilia wants to learn, learn, learn. She also has the commitment, and the heart. “This is the kind of person she is. We had a position in Community Services open up several years ago. It was very outside the box of what we were doing. We wanted to open up our Independent Living, Tailored Day and Respite programs. “She started from ground zero and created the programs from scratch. She’s done such a great job.” |
Stacy continues, “When the pandemic came, we were having to shut everything down. Cecilia was like, “What can I do to help?
“During the pandemic, we had some really rough times. Cecilia stepped in without a lot of direction. She figured things out. ‘What do you need me to do?’ That’s her mentality.
“Cecilia started at ground level, as Direct Care Staff, at Mountain Shadows, and look at her now. It goes to show everyone else, ‘You can do this!’
“Cecilia has a passion for Mountain Shadows. She could make more money somewhere else. She’s here because she loves what she’s doing.” |
“My goal now is to live my life as best I can, and to the fullest I can,” says Cecilia. “I want to give my best in whatever I do. I want to help Mountain Shadows continue to grow, and help our residents live the best lives possible.” “A child looks up at the stars and wonders. Great fathers (and mothers) put a child on their shoulders,
and help them to grab a star.“
– Reed Markham
Standing firmly upon the foundation built by her father and mother, we believe Cecilia Bello has reached up and grabbed her star. We congratulate her on her new position as Director of Ancillary Services – and look forward to continuing to watch her shine. |
The Mountain Shadows Foundation – Because We CARE |
Thanks to YOUR SUPPORT, the Mountain Shadows CARE program provides recreational and social experiences to residents and participants adding meaning and richness to their lives. It’s easy for you to help us continue to provide activities like this – activities that improve the quality of our residents’ lives in fulfillment of their dreams. Here are some ways you can help ensure these crucial activities can continue for years to come: - Make a one-time donation today by clicking on the donate button below.
- Make a monthly or annual contribution.
- Leave a Legacy Gift.
To learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society, to include us in your estate plan, or to let us know if you have already designated Mountain Shadows to receive a legacy gift, please contact Mandy Huiras, Director of Development at: mhuiras@mtnshadows.org, or visit our website by clicking here:
Learn More About the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society
Please share this story with your family, friends and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family! |
Mandy Huiras Mountain Shadows Foundation Director of Development
Contact Mandy today to learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation and how you can continue to make a difference in the lives of our residents:
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org |
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