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Ken George and Diane Giova lead ABCUSA's refugee work
Reviewing refugee case files: Ken George, National Coordinator for Intercultural Ministries-Direct Human Services, ABCUSA National Ministries, and Diane Giova, Direct Human Services Associate, ABCUSA National Ministries, Valley Forge, Pa.
Photo: Carol Fouke-Mpoyo
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Ken George
In 1979, Ken George brought his experience in housing, urban development and planning to his first position with the ABCUSA, in its National Ministries' Office of Housing and Shelter. His previous career involved frequent moves from city to city and, with three young children, that had become unsustainable. And "the politics in city government gets very wearying," he said.
"I was always active in American Baptist churches," George said. "I got to thinking, 'Why not check opportunities at Valley Forge?'"
He did, and was hired.
After a year on staff, he moved into work with the American Baptist Homes and Hospitals Association. Then in 1993, Matthew Giuffrida retired after 38 years directing the ABCUSA's work with refugees and other displaced people, and George was asked to take his position.
"I'd had an eye on the position," George admitted. "I knew the department did refugee work, One Great Hour of Sharing, and domestic disaster response. I thought, 'Hmm, that looks interesting.'"
George described the special satisfaction "when a church reports that its involvement with refugees has truly blessed it in so many ways. That's the best, when both the church and refugees feel blessed."
Diane Giova
Diane Giova, R.N., was just "looking to take a break from nursing" when she took a temporary assignment with the ABCUSA in 1981 to help with case management during the Cuban boatlift.
She didn't expect to leave nursing forever. But then, after a month, she was asked to stay on to work with Asian and Latin American refugees.
"I came to love the work," which also involves assisting U.S. survivors of disasters, she said.
The most satisfying thing is "that you are able to touch lives, and help people start over. For me, it's a form of nursing," Giova said. "You are still ministering to a person's needs, maybe not from the effects of a disease, but from the effects of what life has thrown at them."
Read more: American Baptist Churches USA: Long-time partner in resettlement
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