20 Years of Empowering Families
Christina Hines, Program Coordinator of Shelter Services, shared, “I enjoy being able to assist individuals and families as they grow and blossom. It is a rewarding feeling when you get to watch people acknowledge their accomplishments and be proud of themselves.”
“Even on the hard days, I still love my job.”
Twenty years ago, Christina Hines walked through the doors of Bell Socialization Services for the first time. What began as her first job out of college became a lifelong career dedicated to helping individuals and families move forward.
Today, Christina is the Program Coordinator for Shelter Services, helping lead the programs that support families experiencing homelessness.
So, after two decades, what keeps her coming back?
The people.
“The clients, staff, and seeing families succeed is why I’m here,” Christina said. “I really enjoy and believe in the work we do.”
Christina’s desire to work in human services began before she ever came to Bell. Personal experiences with family members helped shape her decision to pursue a career where she could help others.
Twenty years later, she still finds meaning in watching people discover their own strengths.
“I enjoy being able to assist individuals and families as they grow and blossom,” Christina said. “It is a rewarding feeling when you get to watch people acknowledge their accomplishments and be proud of themselves.”
More Than Finding a Home
At Bell Family Shelter, Christina knows that finding housing is only one part of helping a family move forward.
Families may need employment or additional income. They may need childcare so they can work, help connecting with medical or mental health care, assistance applying for benefits, or guidance managing their finances.
“We strive to figure out what is holding a family back, so they can truly move forward with their life and reach their goals,” Christina explained.
Bell Family Shelter provides families with a safe place to breathe, regroup, and begin again. The shelter team helps families identify the resources and connections they need while encouraging them to take the steps necessary to reach their goals.
“Clients come in here and do a lot of hard work. It can be overwhelming at times, but they keep going forward, doing the legwork, and following up on calls. It is much more than finding housing. It is about them becoming successful and believing in themselves. When they get good news, it makes all of their efforts worth it,” Christina shared.
For Christina, that means being there to provide guidance and encouragement while also helping families take ownership of their journey.
“I really enjoy helping people improve their quality of life, but at the same time holding them accountable and encouraging them to grow,” she said.
The Small Victories
Over the years, Christina has watched families arrive at the shelter facing uncertainty and leave with something that can be just as important as a new home: confidence in themselves.
“I have seen families arrive with low self-esteem, and at the end, they are smiling, excited about life, and confident. It is amazing to witness these transformations.”
Those transformations are what make the difficult days worthwhile.
“It is exciting to see a family succeed,” Christina said. “You get excited with them and congratulate them. It’s a great feeling to know that we helped them.”
And sometimes, the relationship doesn’t end when a family leaves the shelter.
“One of the best feelings is when a family you helped contacts you with an update on their progress. You continue celebrating with them long after they have left.”
For Christina, those moments are powerful reminders of why she chose this work in the first place.
“I think it goes back to that one person you were able to help. That keeps you going.”
A Place to Begin Again
Christina has also watched Bell Family Shelter grow and change throughout her career.
The new shelter allows Bell to serve more families while offering spaces designed to meet more of their needs, from improved accessibility and expanded dining and kitchen areas to spaces where children can relax, play, and connect with their parents.
Christina especially enjoys seeing families use the Sensory Room.
“The kids love the sensory room,” she said. “A family will spend time in there, and they will play together, laugh, and connect. It is really nice to see them interact in there. These are the joyful moments parents and children need as they are rebuilding their lives.”
For Christina, moments like this capture what Bell Family Shelter is really about. It is not simply a place for a family to stay while they search for housing. It is a place where families can feel safe, supported, and encouraged as they work toward what comes next.
That support begins with seeing each person as an individual.
“One thing I have learned throughout the years is that everyone receives a message differently,” Christina said. “You have to treat everyone respectfully and be careful how you say things.”
That lesson has shaped not only how Christina works with families, but also how she leads her team.
Today, she focuses on helping her staff grow, just as she has spent years helping families grow.
“I want to help my staff get to where they want to be professionally,” she shared.
It is another way Christina empowers others — by recognizing their potential, encouraging them to grow, and helping them take their next step.
Twenty Years of Making a Difference
After 20 years, Christina is still here — supporting families, celebrating their victories and encouraging them to keep moving forward.
She knows that progress doesn’t always happen in one big moment.
Sometimes it looks like finding housing. A parent gaining confidence. A family making an important community connection. A child playing with their parent in the Sensory Room. Or someone realizing they can do more than they once believed.
Those moments and the people are what keep Christina coming back.
“The small successes add up, and we are really making a difference in the community.”
For Christina, that is what 20 years at Bell has been about — helping families recognize their strengths, celebrate how far they have come, and believe in what comes next.