Kim DiCillo is still relatively new to EDEN—she joined the agency last November—but she has already proven herself to be a reliable, compassionate employee who genuinely cares about EDEN tenants.
Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Bowling Green State University and is a licensed social worker who brings a wealth of experience to EDEN. She spent six years employed at Mental Health Services, Inc., where she most recently worked with the supportive housing program at Kingsway Manor. Now, she can continue her work with mental health clients at EDEN.
“My favorite part of the job is working and interacting with the clients,” Kim says.
As a Housing Eligibility Specialist, Kim primarily focuses on the Housing Assistance Program (HAP), which offers temporary rental subsidies for tenants who are low-income and diagnosed with severe mental health illnesses. Her responsibilities include recertifying program participants, processing new applications, maintaining the HAP waiting list and responding to tenant phone calls. She is also responsible for the Tenant Based Rental Assistance/Self-Sufficiency Program (TBRA/SSP) program and the Supportive Housing Program (SHP) program for clients referred by Mental Health Services, Inc.
“I’m glad that I can continue working with housing programs,” Kim says of her position at EDEN.
Management recognized the compassion, patience and understanding Kim demonstrates while working with EDEN clients. She provides exemplary service to landlords and caseworkers, stays calm in stressful situations, and approaches every situation by placing the client’s needs first.
Kim enjoys working for an agency known for helping the homeless population. “There’s something about seeing people who were homeless getting a place of their own for the first time,” she explains.
As someone who feels so strongly about helping the mental health population and assisting clients with housing needs, Kim was a perfect candidate for the employee of the month award.
“I feel appreciative,” she says of the award. “It’s nice that EDEN acknowledges what the employees do. It’s motivating.”
