|
I. Organizational Description
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 the adoption of a child.
Originally called “America China Adoption Association (ACAA),” the agency began
in 1994 as a small, non-profit, adoption facilitator helping parents, mostly
within the DC metro area, to complete their international adoption to China. At
this time the main service for parents was guidance on the process and
assistance with building adoption paperwork. ACAA was partnered with, “A
Helping Hand (AHH),” an adoption agency located in Kentucky which held a
license with the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs). ACAA considered them
a sister office and worked together on various levels. After the clients
completed the adoption paperwork, it was submitted to AHH and then to the CCAA.
ACAA families and AHH families would travel together to pick up their children.
The first year in existence, ACAA assisted in 15 adoptions. The agency
continued to grow and by 1998 the agency had assisted in over 50 adoptions.
ACAA staff consisted of 5 members.
By 1999, founder and current President of the Board, Brian Luwis decided it was
time to start expanding the agency and moving it into the direction of a full
service international adoption agency. The first step in the process was to
work to become a licensed child-placing agency in the states of Maryland and
Virginia. The Virginia license was first granted in Nov. of 1999 and the
Maryland license was first granted in Jan. of 2000. As a result the agency was
able to expand services to include adoption home studies for local families.
Steps were also taken to become registered at the China Center of Adoption
Affairs as a separate agency from AHH. This allowed ACAA to contact the CCAA
directly and handle all parts of the process, including submitting paperwork,
receiving referrals, and planning travel.
In 2002 ACAA underwent two major changes. First, the decision was made to open
new programs in Russia and the Ukraine. Secondly, with the opening of new
programs ACAA became AWAA, America World Adoption Association. Since the
opening of the new programs, AWAA has assisted in the adoption of 40 children
from Russia, and 9 children from Ukraine. Since the opening of the original
China program, America World has placed over 400 children from China in homes.
A focused marketing strategy, consisting of a website, advertising material,
promotional videos, and seminar tours expanded the client base to include
families from all over the United States. In order to better serve West coast
clients and promote the agency, a California office was set up and functions as
mostly a recruitment/support office. Additionally, this year America World has
begun to establish other regional offices in the states of Florida, New York,
Tennessee, Washington, Missouri, and New Hampshire. These regional offices are
in process of becoming licensed to place children in each of their respective
states. Currently, America World staff includes 18 members and works with over
950 families.
II. Values and Vision
America World Mission Statement:
America World is dedicated to helping America’s families and the world’s
orphans experience the love of Jesus Christ through the “Spirit of Adoption.”
Values and Vision:
America World is a Christ centered organization that values the desire of a
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.
Romans 8:15
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you
have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
It is America World’s current goal to place as many true orphans as possible
into loving, Christian homes and to heighten the Christian community’s
awareness of adoption to the point of action on behalf of all orphan’s needs.
The ultimate vision is to see every adoptable, true orphan in the world become
part of a Christ-centered family and every orphan not adopted be provided for,
shown Christ, given a future, and loved. By the actualization of these visions
and by the “Spirit of Adoption” all will come to know and accept the Father’s
love for each of His children. With the help of God, families, other agencies,
and other organizations, America World will continue to work toward seeing this
two-fold purpose come true.
III. Executive Summary
Objectives:
-
To save the world’s orphans by providing a nurturing Christian home for an
increasingly growing number of orphans.
-
To educate America’s families about God’s heart concerning orphans and
adoption.
-
Provide a Christian witness to the people in the partner countries and those we
work within the Unites States.
-
By 2008 America World will support 4 on-going orphan awareness ministries.
Long Term Goals:
-
By 2008 America World will complete, at least 2500 total international
adoptions.
-
By 2008 America World will have quantifiable proof of at least 25% improvement
of customer satisfaction.
-
By 2008 America World will have established adoption programs in at least six
countries.
-
By 2008 America World will support 4 on-going orphan awareness ministries.
IV. Goals and Strategies
Short Term Goals:
-
By the end of 2004, have a working prayer strategy that includes all dimensions
of the agency and actively seeks the participation of all stakeholders.
-
By 2005, increase the number of adoptions per year by 75% of previous year’s
total.
-
By 2005, increase presence in the United States by a rate of 75%.
-
By 2005, increase the number of seminars by 5%.
-
By 2005, increase positive feedback on customer surveys by at least 7%.
-
By 2005, have required staff training and ongoing professional education.
-
By 2005, have a required education curriculum for all adoptive parents.
-
By 2005, have adequate, streamlined, structural support systems (staffing,
handbooks, mailings, and advertising materials) for all current programs
(China, Russia, Ukraine)
-
By 2005, open one new country program.
-
By 2005, actively support one more orphan awareness ministry.
-
By the end of 2004, become COA accredited and have a structure in place that
ensures the maintenance of all the standards.
Goals for the Board of Directors:
The goals for the Board of Directors are based on moving the current function
of the board to encompass the following duties:
-
Determine the organization's mission and purposes
-
Select the executive staff through an appropriate process
-
Provide ongoing support and guidance for the executive; review his/her
performance
-
Ensure effective organizational planning
-
Ensure adequate resources
-
Manage resources effectively (the buck stops with them, ultimately)
-
Determine and monitor the organization's programs and services
-
Enhance the organization's public image
-
Serve as a court of appeal
-
Assess its own performance
From "Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards," published by the
National Center for Nonprofit Boards, Washington, DC 20036. http://www.ncnb.org
Short Term
By the end of 2004 the Board of Directors will have a system in place to
evaluate the Executive Director.
By the end of 2004 the Board of Directors will have a system in place to
devise, review, and approve the 2005 budget.
By the end of 2004 the Board of Directors will draft a procedure manual
detailing member recruitment, training, accountability, commitment, title
definitions/functions, position responsibilities/duties, strategic planning
process and board evaluation processes.
By the end of 2004 the Board of Directors will review and revise original
bylaws.
Long Term
By 2008 the Board of Directors will have at least (5) new members.
By 2008 the Board of Directors will take a more active role in public awareness
and fundraising.
|