Gio Boeing’s Retirement: Celebrating a Career Devoted to Community
We are so excited to congratulate Gio Boeing, our community engagement manager, on her retirement! Gio joined the Ken Anderson Alliance in 2017; accepting the challenge to establish what is now our extremely popular ENGAGE program. Let’s learn a little more about Gio’s long career of advocating for adults and children with disabilities and developing community-based programming in Cincinnati.
Early Career
After graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Gio first worked with children with severe emotional disabilities at Beech Acres, when it was a residential facility. She made her next career move to LADD (Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled), where she worked in a group home, in the community program, and as their intake specialist. Gio stayed at LADD for over 5 years, cementing her passion for working alongside adults with disabilities. After her time at LADD, Gio transitioned to a role at Starfire Cincinnati. For more than 27 years Gio served as Starfire’s program coordinator: creating recreation and service programs for teens and adults with disabilities.
Gio, ENGAGE and KAA
Gio found her way to KAA in 2017, ready to harness her passion for coordinating community-based social activities for individuals with disabilities. She took on the challenge of starting the ENGAGE program with the firm belief that social outings lessen isolation, provide a greater comfort level in the community, boost self-confidence and enhance quality of life. Gio shared, “I believe there is a big need for community social & service outings for adults with disabilities to help combat social isolation & offer opportunities to make friends & develop meaningful relationships. KAA was very willing to fill this need, so I started the Engage Program in 2017. It has been very rewarding to watch the participants grow in self-confidence & increase their comfort level in their community.”
KAA Executive Director Kevin Potts agrees. “Gio’s creation of the ENGAGE program at KAA has been a paramount accomplishment in overcoming the barriers typically experienced by adults with disabilities who are trying to integrate socially into the community around them,” he said.
Gio’s work proved especially crucial during the Covid 19 pandemic. Kevin shared that “during the recent pandemic, the effects of social isolation became very evident in our society. Without programs like ENGAGE, the impact could have been significantly worse.”
Donate in Gio’s Honor
“KAA has been the perfect place for me to end my 42-year career working with teens and adults with disabilities. I look forward to remaining involved with KAA as a volunteer after I retire.” Gio added.
Gio Boeing was an incredible addition to our team. Her work here will have a lasting impact on our organization, as well as the surrounding community. KAA is honored to be a part of Gio’s final career milestone and wishes her the best of luck during retirement. Kick back and relax, Gio! You deserve it!
We would also like to thank the dedicated group of volunteers and generous donors that make Gio’s life-changing programming possible. To contribute to KAA in Gio’s honor and her legacy with Engage, follow this link.