Staff Spotlight: Cecil Douglas
For more than a decade, Cecil Douglas, a VOA-GNY maintenance worker, has been a steady, trusted presence at Cromwell Avenue Safe Haven, our low-barrier men’s shelter in the Bronx.
Since joining in 2013, he has brought purpose and pride to keeping the building safe, clean, and welcoming for residents and staff.
“I take my work seriously,” he says. “I come to work to get the job done.”
Cecil handles urgent repairs with calm focus and communicates clearly with residents and colleagues. He works closely with his Facility Coordinator and Program Director to ensure smooth operations with as little disruption as possible. “You can’t do this alone,” he says. “We work as a team.”
Above all, his compassion stands out. He treats every resident with dignity and offers help whenever he can. “We’re all human beings,” he says. “I want to help however I can.”
Outside work, Cecil enjoys staying active and spending time with his family, especially his wife of 40 years. Though retired by age, he isn’t ready to slow down. “This is my life,” he says. “I want to keep giving back.”
Thank you, Cecil, for the dedication and respect you bring to our community every day.