First Congregational UCC Albuquerque welcomes Valerie Griego, LMSW and the ABQFaithWorks Collaborative to their church campus. Pastor Sue Joiner has been working for over one year with pastors from eight other churches to form an alliance to better address the needs of people coming to their doors seeking help. Many responded to the call and generously gave money towards hiring a Social Service Coordinator. The city of Albuquerque and Bernilillo County were very impressed with this initiative and have awarded grants of $50,000 towards this endeavor.

Valerie, as the Social Service Coordinator for ABQFaithWorks Collaborative, will be based at FCUCC but will be moving about to the other supporting congregations as she serves those in need in those communities as well. Valerie will be keeping detailed data regarding client needs, services provided, and outcomes which will help to better serve and advocate for the marginalized.

Welcome Valerie!

My name is Valerie Griego, I am honored to be in this community and to work along side each church to learn more about the amazing things you all do to support people living on the margins. I am a Master Social Worker and I received my masters degree at the University of Central Florida and my bachelors in Sociology and Spanish from UNM. I was born and raised in New Mexico and lived in Florida for 5 years. I have visited 27 countries and I have worked with populations that vary from those facing homelessness to those facing the death penalty and ages that range from newborns to elders. I look forward to working closely to help create a ripple effect with regards to social change and justice and in providing direct services by helping contribute positively to this community.