Mom Gives It All To Support Disabled And Her Kids: Capitola Hero

CAPITOLA, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. And Santa Cruz County is full of them.

We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Rebecca Donofrio of Capitola, who nominated daughter Brianna Donofrio of Capitola:

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
Associate Director at a supported living agency that provides support and assistance to 28 people with severe developmental disabilities.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
Brianna is a strong, unselfish and passionate woman with a plate that overflows. She leads a staff of 100 people that provide the essential work of assisting people with developmental disabilities to live safe and healthy lives in their own homes. She has a second job as an Arbonne consultant selling healthy and clean products for nutrition to make-up in order to make ends meet for herself and her two children -- 6 years old and 4 years old. So she also in working from home unless she is working directly in one of the people we assists' home, homeschooling her kindergartner and playing with her preschooler. She gives of herself in all three roles Director, Consultant and Mom. She has one weakness and that is that she does not always take time for herself to rejuvenate and relax. She deserves this kind of recognition to say 'thank you' to her for her service to the community as an employer, an essential worker, a consultant and a mother.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
She unselfishly gives of herself in each of the roles she lives -- mother, Arbonne consultant, Director of services for people with developmental disabilities, good neighbor and loyal friend.

Thank you for all you do, Brianna!

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.