Family is her team: Erica Jiles, ACI-Dungarvin Foster Care Team Lead

“People know that they can count on me for support if needed and I will do what I say I am going to do,” said Erica Jiles, ACI-Dungarvin Foster Care Team Lead. Having been with us the organization for over 10 years, Erica’s insight always provides a valuable perspective on our support for those in foster care. Get to know this driven team member through ‘5 questions with Erica Jiles:’

1. How long have been you at Dungarvin and in the IDD industry?

In 2006, I worked in a group home with Residential Services Incorporated (RSI) in Chapel Hill, NC. I was a DSP, and this was during my senior year of college and my first job in the industry. I really enjoyed working with the residents, assisting them with their goals, taking them on outings and seeing them thrive. I began my employment with ACI-Dungarvin in October of 2013 as a Foster Care Coordinator. I was promoted to Foster Care Team Lead in 2017 in the Wallace office, and I also became Foster Care Team Lead in the Garner office in 2020.

2. Why do you have a passion for this work?

I have a passion for seeing children who have been through significant challenges in their life overcome these challenges and blossom. Children are very resilient, especially when they have supportive individuals assisting them with processing their trauma and being able to heal and move forward with their lives. It is truly an incredible feeling to be a part of their journey.

3. What is your most treasured possession?

My grandmother’s pearl necklace. My grandmother is 100 years old and she is very dear to me. I treasure every moment that we spend together. She has taught me so much and the person I am today is because of her influence in my life.

4. What do you most value about the Dungarvin team with whom you work?

That we are like a family. We work together to support each other to ensure that we are providing quality services to our foster parents, the children in our foster care program and their guardians.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being able to help my fellow man and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Ken Robinson once said, “What you do for yourself dies with you when you leave this world, what you do for others’ lives on forever.” Being a positive influence in the lives of others without expecting anything in return for me is the greatest achievement because helping others in this journey called life is something that I believe we were all created to do.