Marcella: A Legacy of Faith and Dedication at Bell Family Shelter
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Bell Family Shelter and the second year in its new home. Last year, Marcella celebrated the first anniversary with a cake honoring the 449 people served. That’s 449 lives changed.
Bell Family Shelter celebrates 40 years of empowering lives and helping families move from homelessness to independent living.
For 34 years, Marcella has been more than a staff member at Bell Family Shelter—she has been its heart.
What began in the early 1990s as a simple weekend shift quickly became her life’s mission: to walk alongside families in crisis with faith, hope, and compassion.
Throughout her remarkable career, Marcella has worn many hats, including House Program Manager, Bridge Caseworker, Program Coordinator, and Director of Shelter Services. But one thing has never changed: her purpose.
“To provide support and empowerment to families during their most challenging times.”
A Changing Landscape
“When I first started at the Shelter, many of the families were single mothers with children,” Marcella remembers. “They were struggling to make ends meet, trying to find jobs while caring for their kids.”
In those early years, helping families find stability was often a shorter path.
“It was relatively easy to place families back then due to housing being more affordable, and there was more funding,” she explained. “That made such a difference in their success.”
But over time, Marcella witnessed homelessness evolve. The need grew, and so did the complexity of the stories. More whole families—mothers, fathers, and children together—began arriving at the shelter.
“Some shelters separate men and teen boys from their families,” Marcella noted. “But families thrive when they are together. Why separate them during such a traumatic time? That bond is what helps them succeed.”
Faith Through Challenges
Today, the challenges are steeper. Housing costs have soared, and landlords often require tenants to have a gross monthly income that is at least three times the monthly rent.
“A single person receiving $930 a month in disability cannot afford rent at $1,000 plus utilities,” Marcella said quietly. “People are doubling up, living under bridges, on the streets, or in their cars. It’s heartbreaking.”
Yet through every shift in circumstance, Marcella’s faith has remained unshaken.
“Since I am a woman of faith, I try to help people find faith in themselves,” she shared.
“People just need to know that you believe in them. Sometimes that belief is enough to change their whole situation.”
“I remind them that every day is a success,” she said. “Making a phone call, showing up to an appointment—those are victories. We celebrate each step because those little successes add up.”
Lighting the Spark
Marcella has always seen her role as part motivator, part guide, and part believer.
“Every client is different,” she said. “My role is to find the spark that will light their fire. Sometimes a caseworker meeting is really about motivation—reminding a family that they’ve got this.”
And she’s seen the results firsthand. Families who came to Bell Family Shelter have gone on to build extraordinary lives.
Stories That Stay with You
She remembers one woman—a survivor of the Rwandan genocide—who arrived with her young son after escaping an abusive relationship.
“She had the strongest drive to thrive I have ever seen,” Marcella recalled. “She went to business school, graduated from our Bridge Transitional Housing Program, and went on to work for a senator. I often wonder where she is now.”
Others have paid off debts, earned degrees, maintained stable housing, and even opened shelters of their own.
“It’s amazing what people can do,” Marcella said with a smile. “The words you share with them—those words stay with them. Sometimes they call years later to tell you the impact you made.”
A Life’s Calling
Marcella admits her own family made sacrifices so she could dedicate herself fully to this work. Other opportunities have come her way, but her heart has remained with Bell Family Shelter.
“The work and the successes drive me,” she said. “I believe that when people receive the support and opportunities they need, they truly thrive.”
After 34 years, her legacy is evident: countless families have found shelter, stability, and confidence in themselves.
“We all need to believe in something,” Marcella reflected. “My work is something I truly believe in. Every day is an opportunity for growth—for the families we serve and for me. It’s pretty amazing.”
And that belief continues to change lives.