Joan Hodges-Wu, MA, LGSW, is a licensed social worker who has dedicated her career to transforming how organizations work with refugees. Joan began her career serving asylum-seeking survivors of torture. It was in this capacity that Joan recognized her clients’ ability to obtain refugee status in the U.S. was closely linked to their capacity to remain healthy, safe, and self-sufficient. Joan founded AsylumWorks in 2016 with $4,000 raised from a GoFundMe campaign as the organization that could bridge this gap.

Today, AsylumWorks is a nationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit providing tailored services to empower asylum seekers and other people fleeing persecution, regardless of language, country of origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression. We serve hundreds of individuals and families from over 50 countries every year. Our service model provides services to help clients protect and promote their health, prepare for, find, and keep living wage employment, and fully participate in immigration proceedings.

Joan’s work has been recognized by several prestigious institutions, including the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Joan holds a Bachelor’s from Skidmore College, a Master’s in Refugee Care from the University of Essex in England, and a Master’s in Social … Read More »

Sadiq will be sharing his reflections – off the record – and we’re genuinely looking forward to hearing his story. His perspective, shaped by experience and lived moments, is something we value deeply. 

Visitors were taken to George Washington’s historic home in Virginia, where the Ladies of Mount Vernon have undertaken extensive restoration work ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. The mansion has been repainted in a historically accurate color, several outbuildings have been restored, and a state‑of‑the‑art visitor center and interactive museum have been added through significant investment. Guided tours of the grounds and mansion offer an impressive look at both the site’s history and the preservation efforts underway.

Jon Ward is a retired Foreign Service Officer and Army veteran.  He is a member of the Metro Bethesda Rotary Club and the Rotary Action Group for Peace.  Jon has also served as a Rotary Positive Peace Activator and has been a member of Veterans for Peace.  Jon was recognized by Wisconsin-based Plowshare Fair Trade Marketplace as its 2026 Peacebuilder award for his work with the World Affairs Seminar.

Each year, our club proudly recognizes the educators who shape, inspire, and strengthen our community. For so many years, Kent Mason has led our Teacher of the Year project with dedication and heart, and thanks to his leadership, this tradition continues to thrive.

This year again, we are delighted to honor outstanding teachers whose commitment to their students reflects the very best of our community’s values. Their work makes a lasting difference, and we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate them.

Karen Willetts grew up in Frostburg and studied at the College of Wooster, spending a year in Dakar, Senegal. She later returned to Senegal as a  teacher, studied Wolof, and trained with Wycliffe Bible Translators. With a Fulbright grant, she earned a Master’s in African Languages in Côte d’Ivoire. After returning to the U.S., she married Dr. Pascal Kokora, former Ivorian Ambassador and Georgetown professor. Karen taught French in MCPS for 27 years, most recently in the IB program at Springbrook High School. In retirement, she and her husband support library and clinic projects in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.