Name and Position at Region Ten: Ana Lilia Aparicio-Perez, AACS Outpatient Support Staff at the Peterson Counseling Center.

Where are you from? I was born and raised in Charlottesville and grew up in a Hispanic household with Mexican parents.

What drew you to the behavioral health field? I am fortunate to have grown up in a household where narratives around mental health challenges were discussed and shared. I have spent time taking care of family members with medical concerns and also supporting their behavioral health needs. I have seen firsthand how intervention and support can really make a difference, and that experience has inspired me to do the same.

What are some of the highlights of your work at Region Ten? One of the highlights of working at Region Ten has been the kind and thankful people that I work with every day. It’s also been a gift to be able to speak Spanish to the people Region Ten serves and see the relief on their faces when their language is being spoken to them. I also really enjoy having a manager like Ms. Rita, who is really understanding, as well as the amazing women I have as coworkers.  

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? Hispanic Heritage Month reminds of every story I grew up with, reminding where I’m from, and my family as well. I also celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day on September 15th-16th, which is a big thing in my family. My parents taught me to never forget where I come from, and I always keep that in mind because I get to pass this amazing culture down to my son. Hispanic Heritage Month is also close on the calendar to Day of the Dead, which is one of my favorite holidays, and is one of the beautiful things about my culture that will be passed down to my children.