Mission Advancement Specialist Rui Gui is available for presentations on Amani’s services, the Welcoming Fort Wayne initiative, or cultural competency topics.
Born in Xi-An, China, Rui and her family embarked on a global journey in 1995, moving to Germany and later the United States for her father’s career as a mechanical engineer. Upon their arrival in the U.S., Rui’s parents found support and friendship from local Chinese churches. Rui’s family moved several times before settling in Mississippi, but in each new town, they quickly built connections with the local Chinese community. Over time, Rui’s parents transformed their own experience of receiving aid by welcoming international students and other Chinese immigrants into their home to share traditional dishes and celebrate cultural holidays.
“Food is such a wonderful way to share culture. The act of sharing food creates a safe place where people can be vulnerable and ask questions which otherwise may be a little scary.”
Rui went on to participate in a high school exchange to Germany and attend college in New York. In every new place she lived, Rui found herself repeatedly returning to food as a tool for cultural exchange. Sometimes it was sharing traditional Shaanxi or Sichuanese cuisine with her roommates in New York, another time it was introducing her German host parents to Tex-Mex-style burritos, “Food is such a wonderful way to share cuture,” said Rui. “The act of sharing food creates a safe place where people can be vulnerable and ask questions which otherwise may be a bit scary.
Rui studied social sciences and creative writing as an undergraduate, taking courses on immigration, race, and identity. Her roles following graduation further honed her commitment to social justice and included work with diverse populations such as domestic violence survivors, mental health and substance use disorders, unhoused individuals, and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). She is currently pursuing a Masters degree through Indiana University School of Social Work and completed her MSW generalist internship at Amani in Fall of 2023.
In her current role at Amani, Rui helps oversee the Welcoming Fort Wayne initiative, a community development and advocacy platform focused on reducing inclusion barriers and increasing opportunities for immigrants and refugees. In addition, Rui supports Amani’s mission through mission events, fundraisers, and leading cultural competency training. “I’m grateful to be a part of the Amani team,” said Rui. “Each immigrant story is unique, you can’t make generalizations because there is so much nuance and richness in why people choose to leave their homes and build their lives somewhere else.”
Rui met her husband in college, and they moved to Fort Wayne 8 years ago. They share many interests, like an obsession with their dog and reading. Together they run the local chapter of Silent Book Club, a group of readers and introverts who get together to read in quiet camaraderie. Rui also loves to cook, try food from different countries, and learn about the history of international cuisines,
“Each immigration story is unique, you can’t make generalizations because there is so much nuance and richness in why people choose to leave their homes and build their lives somewhere else.”
Amani Family Services is hiring! This is a wonderful time to join our team and play a critical role in supporting our immigrant and refugee community. Learn more here: amanifamilyservices.org/careers