|
|
|
Who We Are
 On August 1st, 1994
Brian and Renee Luwis traveled to China for the first time, to hold and bring
home their newly adopted daughter, Fei. After realizing that there were still
so many more orphans without homes, they decided to take action. Shortly after
returning from China, Brian and Renee began to create and build what is now the
America World Adoption Association — a ministry dedicated to sharing the belief
that one of God's most profound blessings is to experience a child by adoption.
Our Mission: America World is committed to helping America's families and the
world's orphans experience the love of God in Jesus through the "Spirit
of adoption." We are a Christ centered organization that values the
right of every child to have a family and believes adoption is a God ordained
way to build a family. America World is also devoted to actively supporting
orphan awareness ministries and hopes to spread the
Spirit of adoption within the Christian community.
As an agency we offer service that is both personal and dependable. Our Family
Coordinators are trained to handle every detail of your adoption process and will
begin to work with you from the moment your application is approved. Your Family
Coordinator works closely with you throughout the entire process and is sensitive
to the needs of both you and your child. They will be by your side, as your main
point of contact, throughout your adoption process. We believe that nothing happens
by accident and if you decide to adopt though us we are confident that God will
place just the right child (or children) in your home.
|
Brian Andrew Luwis
CEO
I have lived in the Washington Metropolitan area for over 40 years and have been actively involved with adoptions since 1993 - both as a parent, and as an advocate for orphans. After attending St. Albans School, I graduated with honors from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1988 with a Bachelor of Architecture. In 1993 my wife and I founded America World Adoption to assist other former orphans like our first daughter, Fei, and share the blessing of adoption with Christian families. I work for my family business, a building development and management company and serve America World Adoption solely as a 40+ hour/week volunteer (no salary). Like the Apostle Paul who made tents, I enjoy having the ability to earn my income through a source that is separate from my primary focus/ministry. My father was a first generation American born to a poor immigrant family from Yugoslavia; he was a very successful developer in the D.C. area and it was his commitment to hard work that has enabled me to volunteer at America World.In 2006, I went back to school, and by late 2007 I had earned a Master’s in Nonprofit Management. During school, I applied every project and assignment to America World Adoption and orphan issues. This was a great time for me to learn and study the business side of managing a non-profit organization.My wife, Renee, and I now have five children: four by adoption and one by birth. God has revealed one of his greatest blessings to our family through His Spirit of adoption and it is our passion to share this with families like you. We are excited about what God is doing through America World and consider it an honor to be building families like yours through God’s design of adoption.
|
|
Susan B. Maines, LSW, LCSW
Executive Director of Programs
Almost five years ago I was looking to change jobs, shorten my commute, and spend more time with my family. When I answered an ad in the Washington Post for a position at what was then America-China Adoption Association, I had no idea what God had in store for me. Being a part of this vital ministry since 2001 has truly been an answer to prayer and a blessing both personally and professionally. It has been my pleasure to work with such a dedicated and committed staff and joy to be a part of the adoption journeys of so many wonderful Christian families. It's been awesome to watch how God has grown this organization and continues to use this ministry to spread the message of adoption.
On a personal note, my being at America World Adoption allowed my husband to pursue his dream of obtaining an advanced degree and my desire to be more available for our daughter, Sarah. I have always known that God wanted me to work on behalf of children, and my thirty plus years of my social work career has been a fulfillment of that promise. I daily count among my blessings my work here at AWAA.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28
|
|
Patrick Connelly
CFO
I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, so I am glad to be working and living near my roots. I attended the College of William and Mary as an undergraduate, majoring in Business and Religion, and I later completed an Executive MBA from Georgetown University. Through trips to Nicaraguan orphanages years ago, my eyes and heart were opened to orphans. America World has allowed me to express and grow that love for orphans and adoption. Having experienced firsthand the impact of strong, godly parenting, I am excited to be part of building Christian families. Thank you for allowing America World to be a part of your adoption journey.
|
|
Anna Graham
Director of Programs
America World has given me an amazing opportunity to live out my passions daily by working directly with families and helping orphans all over the world. I came to America World in 2004 with the desire to help orphans and families in a very tangible way. It has been truly a gift and life changing experience to work with hundreds of families as they are united with their children. I feel extremely blessed to be part of such an amazing organization that strives to love and serve God in all areas.
|
|
Melissa Blauvelt
Asia Program Director
I joined the AWAA team in 2006 and since that time have been honored to serve in various roles within the China program, with a particular focus on advocating for waiting children and helping their forever families with adoption paperwork. It has been a privilege to work with many families throughout the years especially when families return to adopt another child and we work together again. I always enjoy meeting families during our AWAA national reunions and was also blessed to spend time with families in January 2009 while in China. Over several weeks I traveled to various parts of China while visiting with families and co-workers and volunteering at foster homes with children for special needs. My personal faith journey and educational background in Family and Community Services have created a foundation for my career and volunteer experiences. In previous job opportunities I enjoyed my roles as a coordinator in a Christian non-profit serving children living in Washington D.C. and as a youth worker during a year of volunteer service at churches and schools in England. I also had the opportunity to work alongside members of my church to minister to orphans in Zambia. Currently I enjoy volunteering with ministries that serve children with special needs and other youth group activities at churches in the D.C. area. I look forward to continuing in service alongside the China Program staff as we accompany China Program families through their adoption journey.
|
|
Duni Zenaye
Africa Program Director
Selam (hello in Amharic)!! I was born in Ethiopia and moved to Northern Virginia eight years ago. I went to Marymount University where I graduated with a BA in English and a minor in Psychology.
My family has always been passionate about adoption. My mother was an orphan and spent her childhood moving from one extended family to another. Wanting to provide other orphans with families she never had, she founded an orphanage in Ethiopia. I have one biological sister Mitu, and two adopted sisters Selam and Genet. My husband and I have a four-month-old baby boy, Kaleb, who is already a handful!
I am so excited to be part of America World’s team. I had been praying for a long time to find work in Christian adoption. It is an honor to serve families and the Lord here at AWAA. What a great thing it is to wake up in the morning knowing I can help children find families that will love them and raise them to love Christ.
Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nation sand will settle the desolate towns. -Isaiah 54: 2-3
|
|
Ryan Hanlon, MA, MS
Chief Operating Officer
In 2001 I traveled to China with America World Adoption and volunteered in an orphanage for a week; that trip really impacted me – allowing me to see the importance of adoption for parentless children. I have worked for America World Adoption since 2004 when I began as the Executive Assistant to the CEO. I love my job because I get to work with both adoptive families and with co-workers throughout the agency. I am convinced that adoption is one of the best fields a person can work in and I'm grateful to be able to work with such a committed team of co-workers. I greatly enjoy what I do here, and I consider it a privilege to be serving America’s families and the world’s orphans.
|
|
Julia Norris
Director of Regional Social Services
Hello! My name is Julia Norris and I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I graduated in 1989 from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. My passion to work in International adoption began in 1987, when I traveled the world by ship in a college program called “Semester At Sea.” During that trip I visited orphanages in several third world countries, and those images never faded from my heart. It was then that I knew I wanted to work in International Adoption, and someday adopt a child.After college I spent 10 years as a Federal Investigator, Private Investigator, and even worked part of that time for the television show “America’s Most Wanted.” Although my career was challenging and rewarding at times, my heart still longed to want to help the millions of orphans in the world. After a lot of prayer, God opened the door for me in 1999 to come to work in the field of adoption with America China Adoption Association (now known as AWAA). I have held many different positions within the organization over the years, but since 2007 I have been overseeing our Affiliate offices. The Lord has truly given me the desires of my heart through my work with America World and especially through the adoption of my two children- an eight year old boy from China in 2001 and a 10 month old baby girl from China in 2004. It is such a blessing and honor to be a part of the dedicated staff at America World helping to unite these precious children with loving families!
|
|
Christina Dixon
HR Director / Office Manager
Hej! I am a first-generation Swede who grew up in the small upstate New York town of Oneonta, but have the great honor to consider Chicago, Illinois and Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia two other hometowns that are also dear to my heart.
Having graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, with majors in political science and French, I was working in international business when I had the opportunity to move to Russia. During my eight years there, my eyes were opened to the children and young people who were growing up without the love of a father and mother. It is a great privilege for me to participate in the adoption work of this organization.
|
|
Rea Lorenzo
Human Resources Assistant
My name is Rea Lorenzo and I attended Pensacola Christian College and Liberty University. I have always prayed that God would provide a career for me that would be spiritually satisfying. Working at an orphanage in Mexico for almost one year sparked my interest in working at an adoption agency one day. I am grateful that God opened the door for me to work for America World Adoption. I am beyond ecstatic to be used by the Lord with the abilities and gifts He has given me.
Job 12:10 “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”
|
|
Mary Hamilton
Accounting Supervisor
My name is Mary Hamilton and I am originally from the Tidewater Area of Southern Virginia. At the age of fourteen I left home to pursue my education at a Christian-based boarding school in New Market, Virginia. During those years I fell in love with the Shenandoah Valley and chose to remain there. I am a busy mother of three, who are each seven years apart. Presently, my oldest is in her second year of college and my youngest is in Kindergarten, and my son (the middle) is aptly in middle school. After spending the majority of my professional life in the technology sector, I am thrilled to be associated with America World. It is truly a blessing to work with such a warm and dedicated group of people in the service of children and families.
|
|
Mike Stone
Public Relations Director
It was on a mission trip to El Salvador in 1996 that the Lord planted a seed in my heart to consider ways in which I can care for orphans. During this time we were stuggling with infertility and why God was not giving us children? Years later adoption became 'Plan A' for my wife and me after attending an America World adoption seminar and hearing Brian Luwis' "Spirit of Adoption" message.
On October 22, 2003, we brought our beautiful daughter home from China. It was very clear that this was God's plan for our family. Then, just 5 months later, our son was born. We believe God wanted us to see that there was no difference between growing a family biologically or through adoption.I am privileged to be a part of the ministry of America World Adoption since 2004. Sharing the miracle of adoption with others and daily working alongside our amazing staff is such a blessing. If you have not ever considered adoption, I pray that you will seek His will for your family.
|
|
Jason West
Director of Development / Marketing Manager
I was never an orphan, but was nonetheless, adopted into the Lord’s family, through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. I was sought after and given a hope, not because of anything worthwhile in me, but because God simply chose to love me as my Father. (Galatians 4:4-5) Ever since then, the concept of adoption has been very real to me.
My passion for adoption has only increased as my parents adopted four orphans into our family over the course of a decade. Although these children were once alien to me, through the miracle of adoption, we are, beyond a doubt, family. It is because of my awareness of the Lord’s redemptive work in my life, my love for my siblings, as well as the thousands of orphans in the world today, that I want to echo the heart of the Father in my pursuit to care for children who groan for a hope. Since the Father has rescued me from my state of despair, how can I not also work to help those who are destitute and obey His call to “defend the cause of the fatherless.” (Isaiah 1:17)
|
|
Luke Bullock
IT Manager
I was born in England, but have been raised in Virginia. I have worked with computers all of my life and enjoy being able to do so here at America World. When I’m not working with computers, I’m generally helping out in the mailroom or helping in our marketing department. The people here are wonderful and it feels great knowing that in some way, I am helping the world's orphans. This job is very fulfilling and I will continue to strive to make everything run as smooth as possible here at America World.
|
|
Kristen Hansen
Assistant Travel Director
Hi! My name is Kristen Hansen and I have had the privilege of working with families in the travel stage of their adoption process since 2007. I was raised in Northern Virginia as the second oldest in a family of eight children. The blessing of being raised in a loving home by godly parents gave me a passion and desire to serve in a role that would benefit families and children. Before coming to America World I had been praying that God would open doors for me to use my gifts and passions in my work. I thank God for answering my prayers through a position at America World. I am a graduate of Liberty University with a B.S. in Communications. “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31
|
|
Teresa Spencer
Travel Coordinator
“Dios es Amor” translated, “God is Love”, is one of the most simple, yet truest of phrases in which I have experienced through several trips to Nicaraguan orphanages where my heart’s passion for orphans became so evident. After graduating from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and a double minor in Spanish and Human Resource Development, I decided to go to Nicaragua for a summer and lead mission trips for people whose passion for orphans was similar to my own. Upon returning from Nicaragua, I decided to pursue my heart’s desire to place the world’s orphans into loving Christian homes by moving forward and accepting His call as Travel Coordinator at America World. I feel so completely honored that the Lord has chosen me to take part in this beautiful mission of adoption and consider it a privilege to serve all of our families here at America World! “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:16-19
|
|
Leah Rockey
Senior Asia / Waiting Children Family Coordinator
“Unto Him who is able to do exceeding, abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…unto Him be all the glory…” – Eph. 3:20
Born in Virginia to a loving, Christian family, I spent much of my childhood living in different parts of the South. I graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in Psychology/Human Services and Youth Ministry, and it was during my college years that God began working in my heart concerning ministry and missions. My first exposure to orphans came while working in an orphanage in India, and this began to stir a passion in me for adoption and for children and youth around the world. After returning to the States, I could not get the smiling faces of these precious children out of my mind. After graduation, God opened doors for me to work in the school system and in various areas of youth and children’s ministry both locally as well as in different countries. I recently returned from living in South America, where I worked for an international school and with a ministry to street children. My life was greatly impacted by these children’s lives, and I returned to the States and prayed that God would lead me to a job that was not only involved in missions, but one whose heartbeat was to make a difference in the lives of children and youth around the world. After waiting on God, He truly gave me the desires of my heart and I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve families and children through America World.
|
|
TongHong Chen
Bookkeeper
Hello! I was born and raised in southern China – Zhangzhou Fujian province. I graduated from Zhangzhou University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. I was a bookkeeper and an accountant, and worked for five star hotels in Zhangzhou and Xiamen (Fujian province) after I graduated. When I came to the United States in 1998, I worked for a CPA firm and Partschannel INC. My family lived in Georgetown in Washington, DC, for five years until we moved to our new house in Chantilly, VA, in 2004. There have been about 15 families and 30 persons that have helped our family during these few years. I appreciate that God has brought so many people into our lives to help us and that He brought me to work at AWAA.I decided to start the “Heart to Heart Chinese Children Education Fund” in June 2005, and got the license on 2006. This fund is to help the children who love to study but do not have the chance to attend school in China because of a lack of finances. This fund will provide funds for tuition and books for them and will provide the help for disabiled children too.I really appreciate all of the families who have adopted and will adopt children from China - God bless you.
|
|
Nicole Wiegold
Senior Africa Family Coordinator
Raised in a military family, I have lived all over the country, but consider my hometown Charlottesville, Virginia. The Lord has perfectly crafted my life to lead me toward a position here at America World. He taught me, through living in nine different houses before graduating high school, that family is simply the people who love you and care for you. He has opened my eyes to the abundance of homeless children by being part of a foster family who cares for infants in the process of adoption. Finally, he graciously prepared me scholastically through my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in family studies from James Madison University. The Lord’s compassion for “even the least of these” has grown in my spirit as I have worked with children throughout my life. It has been such a blessing following God’s direction to America World, and seeing his ordinance over the agency and my life through faith, patience, and perseverance.
“There is a time for everything; a season for every activity under heaven” Ecc. 3:1
|
|
Deborah Sun
Administrative Assistant
Coming to work for America World has truly been an answer to prayer. It is a joy to work here and be a part of something so amazing - helping to build families! Adoption touched my life at a young age when one of my mom’s friends adopted two beautiful children from Peru. I just fell in love with them and from that moment on the seed was planted in my heart for adoption. I really look forward to being able to build my own family through adoption one day and in the meantime I am excited to be apart of your adoption process.
May God bless you and your family as you walk through this beautiful journey towards adoption!
|
|
Caitlin Edwards
Africa Family Coordinator
Ever since a young age, I have had a heart for orphans and vulnerable children. In result of mission experiences in Venezuela and Africa, my passion was expanded even further. Upon my return from Africa, I deeply longed to advocate for children across the world. Thanks to America World, I am able to work in a position that seems to perfectly align with my passions and the gifts God has given me. I feel extremely blessed to be part of such an agency.
|
|
Emily Lineberger
Africa Family Coordinator
A North Carolina native and a Vanderbilt University graduate, I am new to the DC area and thrilled to be working with America World. Years ago, the Lord placed the burden of adoption on my heart, and He has used a visit to Kenya and a year in Nicaragua to foster and refine that passion. It is truly a privilege to be part of an organization centered on Christ’s call to care for orphans. I am excited for the opportunity to stand as an advocate for orphans and to serve families as they grow through adoption.
|
|
Christina Buckel
Africa Family Coordinator
I grew up outside of Boston, MA where I also spent my college years at Gordon College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I then moved to New York City for a few years where I received my master’s degree in child life and then I moved down to VA! I feel so blessed to have the chance to work at America World. Adoption has always been close to my heart since I grew up in a family who adopted. After getting the chance to travel to Haiti, I came home with the desire to work in international adoption. I am excited to see how God uses me in this job and I love that I have the opportunity to serve families as they complete the beautiful process of adoption!
|
|
Johnna Wilson
Eastern Europe Family Coordinator
When I was very young the Lord placed the scripture James 1:27 on my heart. I had no idea at that time where and how God would direct me through my studies and in my career. I grew up in southwest Virginia just outside of Roanoke and completed my undergraduate degree at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I have been blessed to take on the role of Family Coordinator for our Eastern Europe programs and it is tremendously rewarding to see all the little ones come home! For several years I have been active in children’s ministry through my church and on the mission field. I feel the calling of mission work on my heart and have been blessed with the exciting opportunity to take missions trips overseas into developing countries. It is exciting to expand this ministry into helping orphans find loving, Christian families here in the U.S.
|
|
Aimée Meier
Asia Family Coordinator
I am in awe as I look at the way God has directed my steps over the years to fulfill a passion He has placed in my heart. I have always loved working with children and have wanted to be a part of the adoption process for a long time. I obtained a degree in Social Work and had the opportunity to work with children in the U.S. foster care system. Over the years, God has continued to give me a burden for children all around the world. I was never sure where God would lead me, but one step at a time, He has faithfully shown me that I can trust Him to reveal things in just the right time. I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to serve in orphanages in Romania and China or that I’d move from North Dakota to Virginia to work at America World Adoption. As God continues to open doors, I’m thankful for each opportunity to see more of who He is and to be a part of the process of helping children become a part of their forever families.
|
|
Jillian Bashore
PR Coordinator
I grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, and attended college in South Carolina, where I recieved my bachelor's in Organizational Communication. The Lord directed me to the Washington DC metro area in the fall of 2009 to help a young start-up church. I love living in this area and have been richly blessed to be able to serve in my church and now here at America World. Although I didn't have prior experience with adoption, it's exciting to see the process and share in the joy of adoptive families. It is a constant reminder that God adopted me into His family, and for that incredible gift I am so thankful!
|
|
Mary Noble
Executive Assistant to the CEO / Director of Hosting Program
I am glad for the opportunity to continue serving orphans through AWAA. My background and education has been in social work and counseling. I worked as a social worker in foster care for over seven years providing direct services to adolescent boys in group homes throughout Maryland. Over the past two years, I worked with orphans in Russia, mainly helping teenagers and young adults who were transitioning out of institutional care. My heart’s desire is to help orphans experience family life and know the love of God personally.
|
|
Laurel Hanlon, LGSW
Post Placement Coordinator / MD & VA Home Study Coordinator
My work with America World began in 2005. After holding positions as an Asia Family Coordinator and Assistant Ethiopia Program Director, I left the agency in order to pursue my Master’s degree in Social Work. After receiving experience in school social work, foster care and working with families impacted by HIV/AIDS, I am pleased to be back at America World working part-time as the Post Placement Coordinator and Home Study Coordinator for Virginia and Maryland families. I am enjoying the opportunities that these roles are affording me to work more directly with adoptive families and their adopted children.
|
|
Tammy Stone
Public Relations Administrative Assistant
My name is Tammy Stone. I began working part-time for America World in 2005 and am currently the Public Relations Administrative Assistant. Adoption became an integral part our lives when my husband and I adopted our daughter, Maylia, from China in October 2003. As we collected the required document for our dossier we began to feel God’s call into orphan ministry. The moment they placed Maylia in our arms we knew there was nothing else we could do but help others to experience the awesome gift of adoption. My husband is Mike Stone, the Public Relations Director and we have two children, Maylia and Joshua. I am an adoptive mom as well as a biological one. God blessed us with infertility so that He could lead us to China where our daughter waited for us as well as leading us into our ministry with America World Adoption!
|
|
Stacie Lerum, BSW, LSW
Minnesota Director of Social Services
Email
Hello from Minnesota! I am a busy wife and mother of 4 young children living in the Twin Cities Metro area and through God’s divine providence, I have taken on the added title as Minnesota’s Director of Social Services for America World. I have my Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Calvin College and since earning that, I have worked in positions that would allow me to improve the lives of children (including child protection, school social work, crisis pregnancy counseling, and juvenile probation.) I “fell in love” with adoption when I was a Birthparent Counselor in Colorado, and since returning to Minnesota in 1998, I longed for God to provide me with another mission field related to adoption. Helping America World families is that opportunity!
|
|
Therese McOwen, LSW
Ohio Director of Social Services
Email
Greetings from Ohio. I have lived in Northwest Ohio all my life. I was raised in Payne only a few miles from the Indiana state line. I now live in Pandora with my husband, Wayne, and one of our three daughters. My two older daughters are now married, one living in Dover, Ohio and the other in Bluffton, Ohio. I graduated from Bluffton College (now Bluffton University) in Bluffton, Ohio with a degree in Social Work. I worked in the field for several years before choosing to stay at home to raise my family. In 2005 I was hired as Director of Social Services for America World. I feel very blessed and humbled to work directly with families in the state. It is so exciting to be able to use my profession as well as my faith in my employment. It is also a great honor to assist families bring their children home.
|
|
Amber Lewis, LPC
Oklahoma Director of Social Services
Email
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” -Genesis 18:14God reminded me of this affirmation and promise of his love and perfect timing while I waited in the hospital for my son to be born at 27 weeks gestation. Indeed nothing is too hard for the Lord, and he did give me a son in His perfect timing. I thank God for that experience because it helped grow my faith and it brought us to the point of being ready to adopt a child. We found AWAA in the next year and began our journey toward bringing home our beautiful daughter from China. I once again relied on God's promise of perfect timing during our seemingly long wait for her. We now have 3 sons and 1 daughter, all wonderful and unique gifts from the Lord. Prior to that, I was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Texas, and earned my bachelors at Texas A&M (whoop!). I met my wonderful husband in graduate school in Mississippi, and we moved to Oklahoma in 1995. While I have spent most of my time since 1997 at home with my growing “brood” of children, I have also enjoyed my work as a part-time Licensed Professional Counselor. I am delighted now to have the opportunity to help others find their place in the beautiful process of adoption, and I believe God’s calling me to work with AWAA is one of the most thrilling things He has ever place in my path.
|
|
Robert Woolridge, MSW
California Director of Social Services
Email
Hello! I am very excited to be part of the America World family. As a Pastor’s kid growing up in Southern California, I was always blessed to be surrounded by a supportive and encouraging family. I first started my social work career in my early teens and eventually found myself studying social work at both the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University. In 2006, God led me to the world of international adoptions and since that time, I have had the sincere pleasure of working with many families in Southern California and assisting them with home study services. I am both honored and humbled to be working for America World. I feel confident that God will bless our team and allow us to bring the America World service and expertise to the state of California.
|
|
Trina Reinesch, MSW, LMSW
Arizona Director of Social Services
Email
I have worked in social work since 2001, and have worked in adoption for most of that time. My passion for social work and children began when my parents became treatment foster parents. We had children that lived with us from various backgrounds, struggling with various issues, anywhere from one weekend to two years at time. In that time God used my parents and family to impact children in an amazing way. This experience early on in my life set me on the path to work in social work and adoption.
|
|
Harlan Dalluge, MSW
Kentucky Director of Social Services
Email
Now serving as the Kentucky DSS, I have a background of a “ministry of service for children” using my education with a master’s degree in psychiatric social work—to found and direct several residential treatment facilities for troubled/disturbed children in various states. My wife and I moved to Kentucky in 2007 to be near family. We have four biological children and one adopted Korean child.
John 15:1-5, “I am the vine and you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, shall bring forth much fruit.” Using this guidance has helped me in direct work with children and staff, as an administrator, and as a “fundraiser” to generate funds needed for new facilities, strong staff and strong program services to better meet the needs of children. I became ordained many years ago and welcome my current “ministry of service” with AWAA and direct work with warm, caring, loving people of Kentucky.
|
|
Amy Kryszan, MSW
Florida Director of Social Services
Email
Hello from sunny Orlando, Florida. My name is Amy Kryszan and I am extremely excited to be a part of the AWAA-Florida team. Adoption is near and dear to my heart as my husband and I have 3 beautiful adoptive children who are definitely precious gifts from God. I have my Bachelors and Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida and have always had the calling to serve others in whatever capacity God wanted me to. I have worked in the field, specifically the areas of foster care, adoption, and counseling since 2000. It is an honor and privilege to do the Lord’s work through adoption and seeing forever families come together in this process.
|
|
Briana Currey, LCSW
Oregon/Washington Director of Social Services
Email
I was born and raised just outside of Dallas, Texas and lived in Texas until our move to Oregon in July 2006. I have two adoptive siblings and one birth sibling but we are all the same. I began working in the field of adoption in 1994. I obtained my Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and became licensed in the state of Texas. After two additional years of clinical training, I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas and now hold this license in Oregon, Texas, and Minnesota. My husband and I have two wonderful boys: Connor was born in 2000 ad Andrew was born in 2002. My whole family is actively involved with my adoption ministry. We serve children in Africa through our church, and host a yearly adoption picnic for my Northwest AWAA families. My husband and I plan to raise our children in Oregon, and we have all adjusted to the nice, relaxed lifestyle in Oregon and love the beautiful outdoors.
|
|
Bethany Graff, MSW
Tennessee Director of Social Services
Email
Hello! My name is Bethany Graff and I grew up in Springfield, MO. While attending undergraduate at Evangel University, I traveled overseas many times. My experiences in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Zambia stirred within me a passion to help vulnerable populations of children. While pursuing my Masters degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, I interned with an international adoption agency for one year. Through this experience God confirmed his calling on my life to work in the field of international adoption. I feel so privileged and blessed to be a part of AWAA as we work to put orphaned children into forever Christian homes.
|
|
Adela Jones, MSW, LCPA
Texas Director of Social Services
Email
|
|
Kim Laube
Iowa Director of Social Services
Email
I am pleased to be working with America World Adoption – Iowa. I began my social work career after experiencing an adoption of my own. I knew after going through our experience that helping families with home studies and post placement reports was exactly what I was meant to be doing! God led me to the right people to begin an internship and eventually become a Caseworker. I love the work I do, and am passionate about helping families through their adoption journey. Prior to my change in career paths, I have worked as the Director of Human Resources for several organizations. In addition, I have served as the Executive Director of Iowans for L.I.F.E., a pro-life group here in Iowa. I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Communications.
|
|
Maureen Hodge, MSW, LCSW
California Executive Director
Email
I first met Brian Luwis in Honduras in 2006 when he asked if we had joined the “Adoption Club” after seeing us with our adopted daughter. We had been living in Honduras to do development work and over the course of our four years living there we worked alongside Brian and other non profits to help improve child welfare services in Honduras. When we moved to California I worked to get AWAA licensed in the state and am thrilled to be a part of God’s movement to find loving homes for children around the world!
|
|
Michele Kuxhausen
North Carolina Director of Social Services
Email
Hello from North Carolina! I attended graduate school at the West Virginia Graduate College and earned my MA degree in Counseling. I have been serving children and families as a social worker for over 16 years. I started working at America World in 2005 as a Home Study Coordinator, and in December of 2009, started serving as the North Carolina DSS. I have a passion working with families and have been very grateful for this amazing opportunity to help orphans unite with Christian families. I feel extremely blessed to be part of such an amazing ministry. I love my job and I am committed to America World and the families that we serve.
|
|
Erika Coleman, BSW
Pennsylvania Director of Social Services
Email
I attended Philadelphia Biblical University where I received degrees in Social Work and Biblical Studies. Upon graduation, I served children in Philadelphia who were on the verge of being removed from their homes. In this role, I witnessed the hurt of abandoned children and divided families. It is my privilege to continue serving orphaned children and facilitating the building of families, through America World.
|
|
|
Contact Us
Spirit of Adoption Video
Corporate Staff
Affiliate Offices
Staff
Associates
Board of Directors
Strategic
Planning
Document
2005 Annual Report
2004 Annual Report
2003 Annual Report
Mission &
Faith Statement
|