STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Throughout the month of March, WTAJ is honoring remarkable women who’ve made a positive impact in their community.
Bella Bregar is the founder of the ACRES Project. She spent 38 years teaching special education in Hollidaysburg, Tyrone and State College school districts.
“She’s honestly a wonderful lady,” said Mya Pena, a staff member at ACRES Project. “We all love her, and it feels like home here.”
Bregar is a wife, mother and grandmother, but the title that most defines her is teacher. Even after retirement, she continued her work, outside the classroom.
“The Book of Proverbs talks about the perfect wife, the perfect woman, and I really think she’s it,” Bella’s husband Mark Bregar said. “She has a heart for what she’s doing here.”
In 2017, Bella started the ACRES Project or “Adults Creating Residential Employment Solutions.” Their mission is to provide resources for adults with autism and other neurodivergent conditions.
“Autism is not something that you just age out of. And when you think about it, you spend more than 75% of your life outside of high school. So, that first part, you have all the help you could possibly get, and then nothing,” Bella said.
As a former special education teacher, Bella noticed a need in the community and stepped up to help, bridging the gap in what she said are vital services for adults with autism.
“That was probably the most important, just making them feel like someone cares,” Bella said.
The ACRES Project started with two clients and now works with hundreds of individuals every year, offering social, educational and vocational programs.
“I’m just really, really proud of where we’ve come, and where we’re at, and really proud of my staff,” Bella said.
The ACRES Project works closely with high school and college students through internship and volunteer opportunities.
Kya Gresh interned in 2020. Six years later, she’s still working at the ACRES Project, inspired by Bella Bregar’s work.
“My sister is undiagnosed autistic. She doesn’t believe that she is,” said Gresh, staff member at ACRES Project. “But seeing the difference that you can make for those that know and need help and are willing to accept the help, made me want to stay more.”
Making a difference: That’s the goal for Bella as she continues her work with the ACRES Project, impacting countless families.
“It’s very touching,” Bella said. “We’ve had kids that have come here that have barely said anything, and now you can joke around with them. They laugh, they understand your jokes, they joke back.”
For her husband of 49 years, Bella’s unwavering commitment to helping others is what makes her remarkable.
“It takes time for a lot of these things, and there’s a lot of discouragement,” Mark said. “She just comes right back like a train … She’s very focused.”
Despite setbacks over the years, Bella is staying focused in her mission to help adults, often overlooked, succeed where others thought they couldn’t.
“I think continue what we’re doing. We’re making an impact. We’re making a difference,” said Mark.
Tune in to WTAJ News every Tuesday throughout March, as we highlight the Remarkable Women in our community.