BUFFALO, N.Y. — For the past decade, Lucy Candelario has served as the executive director of the Belle Center, one of Western New York's largest all-encompassing human services agencies.
"It's a critical part of the community. I call it the heartbeat of the community," said Candelario.
If the Belle Center is the heartbeat of Buffalo's lower west side, Candelario is the blood pumping through it.
"I see an agency like this being really important to the community because it's almost like a safe haven, a place of refuge for community members, especially those that don't know where else to seek help," Candelario said.
Almost 400 families step foot in the Belle Center each month, whether it be for child care, senior citizens programs, adult education or the food pantry. Candelario says on any given day, as many as 26 different dialects can be spoken at the Belle Center. Somehow, she finds a way to connect with everyone.
"She's kind of humble but she's also deeply emotionally attached to what we're doing here," said Jack Norton, program developer at the Belle Center.
Candelario's own parents came to Buffalo's west side from Puerto Rico, looking for a better life. She struggled, succeeded, and now inspires those she serves.
"Whether it's people from Honduras or people from the Middle East, there's always some group trying to come to better themselves and have a better future for their children and their families. So it's almost de ja vu all over again," Candelario said.
Katia Ruiz was in a domestic violence shelter with her four children last year, when she was introduced to the Belle Center. Candelario gave her a job there, gave her safe child care, and gave her hope.
"I cannot say how grateful I am for them trusting me with this job and I just try to do my very best to not let them down and my kids love it here," Ruiz said.
Her story is just one of countless Belle Center success stories. And those stories are what motivate Candelario to live a life of public service.
"They come back to you and they say, 'if it wasn't for the Belle Center I don't know where I would be at.' That's life changing. That's so rewarding," Candelario said.
To nominate someone to be featured in the Selfless Among Us series, email Melissa.Holmes@wgrz.com .
To see the stories of others featured in the Selfless Among Us series, click the videos below.
