Hope and Love Team Members

A group of people standing in front of a green background.
Josephine Ekworomadu, Kathleen Buford, Victor Ekworomadu, Candace Paetzhold, Kim Nimmons

Josephine Ekworomadu

While growing up, Josephine Ekworomadu helped her parents raise nine children. As someone who enjoys helping and motivating families who have given up hope, she volunteers her time whenever possible. A good example is her volunteer work for the Dunwoody Medical Center, which lasted many years.

Kathleen Buford

Kathleen's father was in the military, and her mother was from Japan. Kathleen has lived overseas and in many different states in the United States. She is a mother of three girls. Kathleen resided in Texas for over 20 years. While in Texas, she did extensive volunteer work for the elderly. She was also active with youth programs and was a Girl Scout Leader. Kathleen hopes to serve the Lord through her work at Hope and Love of Georgia.

Victor Ekworomadu

At an early age, Victor learned to help the less fortunate through the living examples of his parents. This legacy he received is now being carried on formally by the founding of Hope and Love for Families of Georgia. Victor has long been involved in service charities in the Atlanta area, including food programs for the homeless and clothing provisions for the needy, and has volunteered for many years at Kenestone Hospital as well as Dunwoody Medical Center (formerly known as Shallowford Hospital). While a member of Marietta Church, Victor served in the music department as an usher and was later appointed as the Director of Community Service to oversee and assist in food distribution to prisons, the Hartman Center for troubled teenagers, and Must Ministry.

Continuing the Legacy

Victor enjoys helping people to continue the legacy that his parents left behind. He firmly believes that the blessings that come with it are immeasurable when you give to the poor. Because we all have been helped at one point in our lives, Victor believes we should not look away when we see someone hurting. Hope and Love is making a difference in people's lives.

Candace Paetzhold

Candace is involved with Hope and Love for Families of Georgia and believes in Victor Ekworomadu's vision to help the less fortunate with God's resources. Candace is a wife and mother of 5, was raised in the midwest, and has lived in Cobb County for the past 16 years. She began a personal relationship with Christ while a student at Kansas State University. Her husband, Dr. Jeff Paetzhold, is a Christian counselor. She and her husband especially enjoy interacting with people from other cultures, visiting other countries, and using whatever resources they have to help others and honor God.

Kim Nimmons

Kim is working with Hope and Love for Families of Georgia because she believes it is an organization that can make a difference by filling a gap that larger charities may miss. Victor is dedicated to helping all people, whether their need is large or small. Kim also feels Hope and Love can coordinate contacts between people who want to help but aren't sure how to best give up their resources and those who need help.

Participation & Engagements

She has lived in Atlanta since 1984 and is the single mom of a wonderful 17-year-old daughter. Her volunteer experience began at age 12 as a Red Cross volunteer. She has been a Girl Scout and Girl Scout troop leader and has participated in charity events through her church, daughter's school, and community whenever possible. She also assisted Libyan exchange students during her college years and recently helped Iraqi refugees in many ways, from finding medical care to studying for US citizenship exams.

Sharing the Message

Kim has a lifelong interest in the Middle East and speaks Arabic. She hopes to work one day in a Middle Eastern country and perhaps extend the message of Hope and Love to people beyond Georgia. She has received many blessings and met many wonderful people through her volunteer experiences and hopes to share the message of Hope and Love with all God's people.