Q&A with Joann Bustillo, Regional Community Center Manager
1. Many of our residents know you from the Community Center, but you’ve recently taken on a new role. Describe how your role has evolved and how it impacts the lives of residents.
Over the years, my role at Mangum-Howell Community Center has evolved from focusing primarily on daily programming, greeting residents, and building strong relationships with our constituents. Working within this community has helped me grow not only professionally, but personally, as I’ve learned valuable life skills, gained wisdom through shared stories, and helped fulfill needs by building connections and partnerships that serve our diverse, multigenerational community.
Today, while I remain closely connected to the residents of Mangum-Howell, my new role allows me to serve on a broader-scale developing and supporting positive, meaningful, and life-changing programs that have a lasting impact on the lives of our residents.
2. Can you describe a moment while working for the Center when you really felt the impact of your work?
I don’t have just one specific moment, because I feel the impact of my work every day. I see it in the successful outcomes shared by residents who tell me how the Center helped them through difficult times whether they were recovering from surgery, managing a health condition, or simply feeling isolated at home.
Some residents have shared that coming to the Center gave them a reason to get up in the morning or helped them regain confidence in their health and independence. Those moments are powerful reminders that our work goes far beyond programs and schedules are helping people feel connected, healthier, and less alone.
3. What do you love most about your job?
What I love most is the people. In my role, I have the privilege of bringing together residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. No two days are ever the same. I’ve witnessed new friendships, and even new love stories begin, watched residents continue their passion for teaching through volunteerism, and worked alongside an incredible team of staff and volunteers who genuinely care about our community. Knowing that our work creates a positive and lasting impact makes this role incredibly rewarding.
4. The Community Center stands out during the holiday season with lots of festive décor and programs for our residents. Tell us what goes into making the holidays special there and why it is important to you.
The holidays are a special time at the Mangum-Howell Community Center because we strive to create a “Santa’s Workshop” atmosphere for families. For many years, we’ve decorated the Center from corner to corner, transforming it into a joyful place filled with themed décor, crafts, music, and photos with Santa.
Making the holidays special takes a great deal of planning, creativity, and teamwork, but it’s important to us to provide free, welcoming holiday programs that bring joy, connection, and lasting memories to our community.
Joann Bustillo was born and raised in Houston. She married a wonderful man in 2004 and has three children, raised two of her nine grandchildren as her own, and has fostered two sisters as well as her son’s best friend. Serving others has always been her passion. Before entering community centers, she spent over 10 years as a general manager for a multi-chain restaurant at IAH. She later left that role to pursue higher education, graduating from the University of Phoenix and dedicating her life to serving the community. She has 20 years of experience at the Mangum-Howell Community Center and three years of serving Precinct 2. Outside of work, she enjoys walking, Pilates, strength training, and yoga.