Belong Week: From Valerie’s Eyes
When you walk into the Kingdom Causes Bellflower (KCB) Community Center, the first face you’re likely to see is Valerie’s. As our Community Center Coordinator, Valerie sits at the front desk, welcoming every neighbor who comes through our doors. She doesn’t just answer questions or calls or hand out forms—she embodies what it means to belong.
To Valerie, belonging is more than a thought. “Belonging means feeling comfortable in a place where you’re not judged and are truly welcomed,” she explains. And that’s exactly the environment she’s helping create in the community center.
When Valerie first started at KCB, she didn’t anticipate the impact this type of work would have. “I thought the community center was just for things like job applications, bus passes, or hygiene kits,” she says. “I didn’t realize how much it would benefit our community.”
Her perspective shifted when she began interacting with families and neighbors with deep, heartbreaking stories. One example that left a mark was a family fleeing domestic violence. “They came to us desperate for help, and we were able to provide a safe place for them to stay temporarily while they got back on their feet.” Moments like these stuck with Valerie, and showed her just how transformative the community center could be.
For Valerie, the heart of her role begins with building relationships. She’s made it a point to learn the names of as many neighbors as possible. “Seeing their faces light up when I greet them by name is priceless,” she shares. “It makes them feel seen and valued.”
Over time, these small acts have became huge parts of the core of KCB and turned the community center into a place where neighbors feel truly at home. For many, it’s not just a resource—it’s a place where they belong.
As rewarding as her work is, Valerie admits it comes with its challenges. One of the hardest parts is knowing there are limits to what KCB can do. “It’s tough when we can’t help families in the way we want to—like when we can’t house them because they don’t have jobs or any income, or when there aren’t shelters that can take whole families. It’s heartbreaking.”
Even through these challenges, Valerie doesn’t shy away from listening to neighbors’ struggles. Whether it’s a story of mistreatment or a neighbor looking for help to overcome addiction, she sits with them, helps them find resources, and supports them as they take active steps toward real change.
Valerie’s time at KCB has also shifted her own heart in ways she didn’t expect. “When families come in saying they’re homeless, or when youth tell me they’re sleeping in parks or school restrooms, it’s devastating. I wish I could do more.” The weight of these stories is real, but so is the joy of seeing neighbors feel safe enough to share their struggles.
Valerie reflects on some of the words neighbors have shared with her that continue to inspire her:
“Thank you for helping me out and providing a shelter for my family.”
“If it wasn’t for you being my guardian angel, I wouldn’t be in this world.”
“Thank you for being my family. I love you.”
These words serve as a reminder that even in the face of heartbreak, the work being done at KCB is making a difference, and that’s all we can really ask for.
As Valerie continues her journey at KCB, she’s excited about the opportunities to grow, take on new challenges, and further support the neighbors who come through our doors. She hopes to be a welcoming presence for everyone, showing them they’re valued and loved.
We’ve said it before, but belonging isn’t just a word—it’s a way of life. And thanks to people like Valerie with her consistent compassion, it’s a feeling we’re starting to see our neighbors experience every time they step inside the community center.
As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re reminded that this season can be especially tough for many of our neighbors. While it’s a time of gratitude for a lot of us, it’s also a time when the weight of homelessness, hunger, and isolation can feel even heavier for those we serve.
Next week, the community center will be closed on the 27th, 28th, and 29th, and there won’t be a blog story, but we humbly invite you to keep our neighbors in your prayers. Let’s be specific with them, too. They deserve every one. Pray for their safety, their health, and for doors of opportunity to open for them.
If you feel led to help us continue the work of bringing hope and belonging to our community—especially during the holiday season—you can make a difference by donating.
To learn more, email Javvy at jtoyos@kcbellflower.org or visit our “give” page at www.kcbellflower.org/give
Together, we can remind our neighbors that they are not forgotten and that they truly belong.