Professional Partner of the Month: August 2007
Kim Salerno
“Kim Salerno goes the extra mile – that’s how I’d describe her. She’s extremely compassionate and empathetic with the families she serves, and she’s also very professional. Kim is very well-respected in the Scranton area.”
- Dr. Ruth A. Connolly, Program Manager, Educational Mentoring Initiative
“Kim is a great advocate for the children and families she works with. I know I can count on her to do whatever it takes to get the campers she refers to camp, even if that means making an eight-hour round trip.”
- Karen Zawitkowski, The Second Mile
“One of the things I love about Kim is her unending devotion to children. She has a belief in them as a group, and a belief in them as individuals, and in every decision that she makes regarding children, she’s thoughtful and ethical about how to best serve them.”
- Elaine Donley, Community Development Manager, EOTC Family Center
Having worked with EOTC (Employment Opportunity & Training Center) for ten years, Kim Salerno has worn many hats: Community Outreach Specialist, Parent Educator, and Mentoring Case Manager. But no matter what role she’s taken, the same theme always rises to the surface for her – how to best serve the children and families in Lackawanna County. For her outstanding work, The Second Mile is proud to recognize Kim Salerno as its August Professional Partner of the Month.
One of Kim’s core beliefs about children is that they are all inherently good, and it is the responsibility of community caretakers and parents to help them thrive. When children do not do well, it is because we have let them down. Essentially, she feels that children are entrusted to us so that we may guide them to realize their dreams. Kim’s favorite quote, the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child,” fits in perfectly with this thinking.
Kim laments, as many others have, that less funding in the field of social work creates more challenges in serving children. Forever an optimist, though, Kim can still look and see hope and strength in all children and their families, and feels this approach has a profound effect on their ability to achieve success. She also cites The Second Mile as an agency with a similar philosophy of a strengths-based approach to serving families, making her work with The Second Mile a natural fit.
While very dedicated to her work, Kim makes sure she spends time with friends and family, especially two lovely and energetic teenagers. She also enjoys long walks with her dog, exercising with friends, and spending time with the people she loves.
Clearly a people person, Kim Salerno is using her skills and her dedication to make a positive impact on children and families in Lackawanna County. The Second Mile salutes her for the difference she makes, and for the key role she takes as a “village member” helping to raise children in her area.
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