Social Services Coordinator of the Year
While subsidized housing (the HUD 202 program) has been in existence for more than 50 years, the Social Service Coordinator position has only been in existence for less than 20 years. Now, for many, it is hard to imagine what residents did before the position existed.
The Social Service Coordinator’s main goal is to empower the residents of their community with the ability to live an independent lifestyle. They are creative individuals whose role varies with the needs of those they help.
They are investigators, researching the types of services that their residents may use, need, or want. They help residents obtain needed equipment and devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, talking books, etc. They try to locate free or reduced-cost providers of services for their residents.
They are educators; bringing information regarding health and wellness into the community; informing residents on how to apply for available services and benefits; keeping staff up-to-date on any aging-in-place issues a resident may have.
They are builders of the community; mediating disputes among residents; facilitating support groups within the community itself. They are links between community agencies and service providers and residents. They provide resource directories for residents, their families, and community staff.
They are advocates for their residents within the communities they live in and the larger community they live in.
The service they provide is invaluable for both the residents and RHF.
Social Services Coordinator of the Year Awardee
2024 Social Services Coordinator of the Year
Eliza Guerrero
Congregational Tower, Chula Vista, California
Eliza Guerrero has dedicated her career to serving the most at-risk in society through her work in social services. With over six years of experience in the field, Eliza’s journey began while volunteering at Father Joe’s Villages as a Women’s Group Facilitator, where she also worked in the kitchen serving hot meals to the homeless. While pursuing her Associate Degree in Social Work at San Diego City College, she discovered her passion for helping individuals facing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance abuse issues, and other traumas.
Eliza found her passion for working with seniors when she was offered a role as a Housing Navigator at San Diego PACE, where she helped them secure stable housing. Driven by her desire to do even more for a rapidly increasing and especially vulnerable group in society, Eliza then transitioned to the role of Social Service Coordinator at Congregational Tower, where she’s been for over two years.
Eliza attributes her success to her faith and the support of those around her, recognizing the guidance of a higher power and the invaluable contributions of her colleagues. “It is not just about the title and what work duties come with it, but the passion one must have to be in this profession to really want to help and serve,” says Eliza.
RHF is pleased to present Eliza Guerrero with the 2024 Social Services Coordinator of the Year Award.
Congratulations to all of our past award recipients!
2023 – Ansley Thomason
2020 – Karleen Davis
2019 – Tammy Schendler
2018 – Ricardo Justiniano
2017 – DeLisa Harrington
2016 – Christy Sadler
