The Foreign Service Journal, September 2013

78 SEPTEMBER 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS : THE M. JUAN I TA GUESS AWARD FOR A COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICE COORDINATOR Jessica McVay Keeps Evacuees Informed and Spirits High Jessica McVay began service as the community liaison o ce coordinator in Khar- toum in May 2012. Jess was attending CLO training when the embassy was attacked on Sept. 14, 2012. The embassy immediately went into ordered departure status. Most of the mission’s Foreign Service employees and every eligible family member, including Jess, were evacu- ated to Athens as a tempo- rary safe haven. By October, the ordered departure was extended and the community returned to Washington, D.C. With the community in disarray, Jess singlehandedly kept esprit de corps alive by organizing events, providing information and staying in close contact with everyone. “I ferried people to doctor’s appointments, organized social events and connected evacuees to counseling and support services, housing providers and other subject- matter experts,” said Jess. As the ordered departure entered the sixth and final exhausting month, Jess maintained an amazingly positive, upbeat attitude with all evacuees, provid- ing much-needed support and encouragement. She selflessly set aside her own hardships and challenges of being separated from her husband, devoting all of her time, energy, compassion and concern to her fellow evacuees. During her time in Wash- ington, Jess worked full-time supporting our evacuees out of the Family Liaison O ce. She is quick to note that “FLO staff members Dianna Rooney, Charles Roe, Lycia Sybilla and Kathy Loken all provided tremendous sup- port to me and our commu- nity during the entire ordered departure period.” Throughout the evacua- tion, Jess focused on what was best for the evacuees. She actively sought their per- spectives and carefully pre- sented them to the embassy and the department. Reflecting on her expe- rience, Jess remarks: “Khartoum is a di cult, yet rewarding Foreign Service assignment. The community consists of dedicated locally FSYF Family Welcome Back Picnic On Sunday, Sept. 15, at 4 p.m. at Nottaway Park, Vienna, Va. The Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s picnic honors FS families who are returning from overseas. Make new friends, connect with old friends and welcome home your colleagues. All U.S. FS families are welcome. RSVP to fsyf@fsyf.org before Sept. 9. NEWS BRIEF employed staff and Ameri- cans who work incredibly hard, while making many sacrifices to serve here. In addition, from events to plan- ning and information sharing, offering to help our commu- nity members with the “little things,” during a long period of uncertainty contributed to a sense of normalcy.” It is during times of crisis when the strength, integ- rity and support of the CLO is most needed, and Jess rose to the occasion in a remarkable way. As stressful, frustrating, expensive and depressing as the evacuation has been on everyone—both for evacuees and those left at post— having Jess in that role made the ordeal more bearable. n Jessica McVay is presented the M. Juanita Guess Award by Jon Clements, CEO of Clements Worldwide. Jessica ministered to her evacuated community for six months, providing information, assistance and support.