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. You will not be passed to different departments during your process but will have a dependable family coordinator by your side. 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.


   CORPORATE STAFF (VIRGINIA)
Brian Andrew Luwis
CEO

I have lived in the Washington Metropolitan area for almost 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 to assist other former orphans like our first daughter Fei and share the blessing of adoption with American families. 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 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, MBA
COO / CFO

I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, so it is nice to be back working and living near my roots. I attended the College of William and Mary as an undergraduate, majoring in Business and Religion, and I recently completed an EMBA program at Georgetown University. It was through trips to Nicaraguan orphanages years ago that my eyes and heart were opened to orphans, and it has been through America World that I have been able 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.

John Nickles, JD, PhD
Advisor to the CEO

I am an Oxford University graduate with a law degree and a Ph.D in Philosophy. My motivation for working at America World is one that is shared by all the people who work here – to make a difference in the lives of orphans. I came to America World in 2000 and have had a chance to see first-hand a small ministry that began with only a handful of committed people grow into national operation with over 100 employees. I can honestly say that I have never met a harder working, more dedicated group of people. I am humbled to be working here and my greatest thrill is seeing the happy faces of the children and families who have found each other through the Spirit of Adoption.

Anna Graham
Asia Program Director / Travel Director

Hello, my name is Anna Graham. I am a graduate of Sweet Briar College with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology and a Business Management Certificate. I grew up in Northern Virginia and was very excited to move back to the area after college to work and live near family and friends. Upon graduation I was torn in many directions on where to head for my career and never expected to find such a perfect job. 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 feel extremely blessed to be part of such an amazing organization that strives to love and serve God in all areas.

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
Director of Program Development / Executive Assistant to the CEO

I grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech. 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 wonderful 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.

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 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia two other hometowns that are equally dear to my heart. (To add to this eclectic mix, I am a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan since birth!)
Having graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, with majors in political science and French, I was working in international business when God led me to switch gears and move to Russia as a missionary. During my eight years there, God opened my eyes to the precious children and young people who were growing up without the love of a father and mother, and without hope in a loving Heavenly Father. It is a great privilege for me to continue serving the Lord by participating in the adoption ministry of this organization.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10

Candice Chung
Director of Finance

Hi, my name is Candice Chung. I was born and raised in Livingston, NJ, but moved down South to attend the University of Virginia. I graduated with a degree in Accounting and passed the CPA exam the following year. I have always loved working with children, and, over the past few years, God has laid on my heart a passion for orphans. I first heard about America World through an advertisement placed in my church bulletin, and had been expectantly praying for an opportunity to work with America World. I figured that going on a mission trip to China through Visiting Orphans would be the extent of my involvement, but God showed me that He had better plans in store! I am so blessed to be using my education and experience to serve orphans and their families as a part of America World.

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.

Lynne Prinzing, BSW
Hague Coordinator / Home Study Coordinator

After graduating from George Mason University in 1999 with a degree in Social Work, the Lord led me here to work in adoption. For three years I was a Family Coordinator and eventually became the Program Director. I have been able to travel to three of the countries we work in, visiting orphanages and witnessing the adoption process firsthand.

In 2002, I got married and moved to New York. Still wanting to continue my work with orphans, I was given the project of helping America World become accredited by the COA (Council on Accreditation). This huge task involved revamping our service procedures and creating new forms, policies, reports, and structural systems. These changes resulted in compliance with the highest service standards in order to make our agency excellent for God and the wonderful families He has entrusted us with. This experience working with COA will be invaluable as I work on a new project of assisting the agency in their Hague Accreditation. Additionally, I am trained and qualified to conduct home studies for families in the states of NY, NJ, and PA. I look forward to assisting families in my local area through this piece of the process and spreading the Spirit of Adoption throughout my community.

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.

Jason West, BSW
Marketing Manager

Adoption has been dear to my heart since December of 1997 when my parents first brought home my little sister, Kathryn, from Maoming, China. My passion for the miracle of adoption has only increased over the past decade as my parents have returned home 3 more times from China with 3 more children – Juliana, Kristina & John. It is such an amazing experience to be able to actively participate and be involved in my siblings’ lives – one that I would not trade for the world. I truly believe in the miracle of adoption and am so grateful that the Lord led me to America World. Having previously worked at AWAA from the summer of 2005 to the winter of 2007, I took time away from the company to finish up my BSW in order to be better equipped for whatever God has in store for my future. By His grace, upon the completion of my degree, He drew me back to America World where it is my distinct privilege to serve so many families and children across the globe, so that they, too, might be able to experience the miracle and joys of adoption.

Barbara Lucas
Receptionist / Administrative Assistant

Hello, my name is Barbara Lucas and I was born and raised in N. Va. I am the mother of 2, a grandmother and an aunt to 5 adoptees. I have seen firsthand the many blessings that come from adoption, and it is an honor and blessing to be part of a dedicated and committed staff working to bring families together.

"And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love". 1 Corinthians 13:13
Christa Jallorina, LCSW-C, LICSW
Home Study Coordinator

I joined America World because I wanted to work in a social work capacity that had a specific Christian mission. I am a clinical social worker, licensed to practice independently in both Maryland and Washington D.C. My role as Home Study Coordinator with America World involves helping families through the paperwork and visit portions of the home study process, as well as doing post placement visits. My social work background includes work as a family, group and individual therapist, in both non-profit and governmental settings. My therapeutic focuses were Functional Family Therapy and the Masterson Model of Psychoanalysis. I also held a supervisory position in a Core Services Agency in Washington D.C. Finally, I have experience doing therapeutic foster care home studies in Maryland on a contract basis. I have a Masters in Social Work Degree and a Bachelors of Arts Diversity Degree in Psychology. I went to William Tyndale College, a small Christian college, and finished my education at the University of Central Florida. I truly enjoy working for America World and look forward to working with all of the Virginia and Maryland families!

Katie Spencer
El Salvador Family Coordinator/Post Placement Administrative Assistant

Hi! My name is Katie Spencer and I am delighted to be blessed with the opportunity to assist your family throughout the adoption process. I was born in California and moved to Virginia with my family several years ago. I attended James Madison University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Keeping in mind my passion for children and families and my desire to do the Lord’s work, I was led to America World. I am fortunate to be able to work with such devoted followers of Christ and I consider it a privilege to serve the world’s orphans and their families.

Kristen Dillow
Eastern Europe Family Coordinator

I am blessed to have grown up in a Christian home in the very small town of Fishersville, VA. I graduated from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA with a B.S. in Psychology concentrating in Child and Adolescent Development. I have always had the desire to serve in ministry, but felt very hesitant toward missions or traveling overseas. But God in His sovereignty and humor placed various situations in my life that sent me to Romania in the summer of 2001. This trip became life-changing for me as the barriers of my heart were lifted and the Lord gave me a deep passion for the orphaned children around the world. I traveled there again in 2004, which confirmed my calling to be involved in missions, specifically with eastern Europe. After graduation, I remained in Lynchburg and prayed for God to provide a position which would give the opportunity to work for a company that shared my same heartbeat. This August I felt the Lord leading me to move to the DC area. He very quickly opened all the doors, and without having a clue as to what I was doing, I arrived here in October. Our God is so faithful as He has provided for every need and answered my prayer by allowing me the privilege to assist families through the adoption process. I am so excited to see how God will work through your family!

Kristen Hussa
Travel Coordinator

Hi! My name is Kristen Hussa and I am privileged to serve in America World’s ministry as Travel Coordinator. I grew up 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 see other families share my experience. I graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in Communications and Government. I had been praying that God would open doors for me to use my gifts and passions to glorify him and help families. I thank God for answering my prayers through America World.

“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
Lauren Barnett
Asia Family Coordinator

“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me.” -Matthew 18:5

Hi! My name is Lauren Barnett, and I am extremely excited to be a part of the Asia Program family here at America World! I am originally from Charlottesville, VA, where I grew up in a close family with my four sisters. For as long as I can remember, I have felt called to work in adoption. It was not until I entered college that God centered my focus specifically on the region of Asia. It was then that God called me to minister to students in Tokyo, and later led me to Southeastern Asia where I spent a summer teaching English. Those trips answered many of my prayers and affirmed God’s desire for my future in foreign adoption. I am a graduate of Virginia Tech where I received a BS in both Human Development (with a concentration in Human Services)and Psychology. I am both honored and humbled to assist families as they bring their children home from China. God is good always, and I look forward to seeing the blessings He’ll bestow through the Spirit of Adoption!

Leah Rockey
Asia 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.

Melissa Blauvelt
Asia Family Coordinator / Senior Waiting Children Program Coordinator

It is exciting to be apart of the AWAA team in advocating for children around the world. I am thankful for past opportunities interacting with families and children in settings such as youth ministries in England and Washington, D.C. My personal faith journey and educational background in Family and Community Services have created a foundation for these experiences. Assisting community agencies through AmeriCorps programs also re-enforced my desire to serve families and children. It has been an honor working alongside dedicated and caring co-workers and a privilege to accompany families through their adoption process.

Nicole Wiegold
Asia Family Coordinator / Dossier Assistance 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

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.

Stephanie Peel
Asia Family Coordinator

I’m originally from Idaho and moved to the D.C. area after graduating from Boise State University in 2003. Go Broncos! My passion for international adoption started with an independent research project I did on the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption as an undergraduate. I came to D.C. to further my research on the issue and interned with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Upon graduation, I went to work for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the International Division where I’ve worked on the Hague Convention on International Abduction as the Legal Projects Coordinator for the past four years. This year God heard my prayers and blessed me with the opportunity to work for adoptive families and orphans around the world by bringing me to AWAA. It is such a blessing to be a part of the America World Adoption team and I look forward to working with your family!


“’Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him; for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.’” (Psalm 91:14)

Terra Bailey
Ethiopia Family Coordinator

I grew up in a Christian family in the small town of Gaylord in northern Michigan, and then went to college at Taylor University in the even smaller town of Upland, Indiana. Some might call me a small town girl. A week after graduating, I left for Africa where I lived for six and a half months. Two of those months were spent at an international school of ministry in Mozambique and the other four and a half months were spent in Uganda and Kenya. During those months, I helped to set up a children’s home for street boys in Mombasa, Kenya. The Lord has opened doors for me to work alongside children’s homes and orphanages in five countries outside of the United States and gave me a beautiful burden for adoption. I just moved to the D.C. area at the end of January 2008 and then joined the team here at America World in a position that feels custom made for me.

Betsy Skinner
Intake Coordinator

I’m originally from a small town in Southwest Missouri and graduated from William Jewell College (near Kansas City) with majors in International Relations, Political Science and Japanese Area Studies.

I moved to the Washington D.C. area five years ago to work in the field of International Politics. However, over the last couple of years, I’ve realized that God (as usual) has had a different plan from my own. Although I still maintain a strong passion for international issues, the Lord has transformed my heart with the desire to serve in the field of adoption instead of the world of politics.

I am so excited and truly honored to be a part of America World’s ministry. It is a wonderful feeling to know that I get to be a part of so many little blessings each day, through the Spirit of Adoption.



   AFFILIATE OFFICES
Beth Battersby, MSW
Director of Social Service Development
Email

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6
Hello! My name is Beth Battersby and I started with America World in December, 2003. I graduated from Messiah College, located in Grantham, PA, with a BS in Social Work. I have also completed my Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, VA. Before joining the America World family, I worked with children and youth diagnosed with severe mental health disabilities. I have also worked as an employment specialist with adults who were mentally handicapped. Some other areas of social work that I have pursued include crisis intervention counseling and adolescent counseling. I had always been interested in the adoption field and decided to pursue this particular area of the social welfare system. I specifically prayed that the Lord would lead me to the job that He had for me — a job where I could be in ministry. As soon as I saw that America World had an opening, I knew that this is what I should be doing. I feel so blessed that the Lord has led me to this agency. I am excited about the amazing things He is doing here and I am encouraged by the rest of the staff’s devotion to the Lord and to the work He has here for us.

Johanna M. Buchman
Arizona Director of Social Services
Email



Steffany Aye, LSCSW, LCSW, CFLE
Kansas & Missouri Director of Social Services
Email

Hi, I am Steffany Aye, and I am a native Kansan and I have been apart of the field of adoption since 1994. I have found adoption work to be very rewarding. I was approached to work in the field of adoptions and in that moment, I began to see how God had been putting the pieces together for me to work in the ministry of adoption. I had to leave my previous employment in the adoption field, in order to finish my 2nd Masters Degree in Social Work. While finishing my degree requirements, I explored Hospital and School Social Work. Although I enjoyed learning about others fields within social work, my heart was still in adoptions. My journey back to adoptions would come in only three short months. The doors began to open, and with faith I walked through each door as it opened. I am so thankful and blessed to have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of wonderful adoptive families and their children. In addition, my personal life is touched by adoption through my beautiful sister, niece and nephew.

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!

Debbie Taylor
Advisor to the Eastern Europe Program
Email

I grew up in Vienna, VA, with a loving family and wonderful friends. I graduated from the University of Durham, England in 1998. After graduation, I worked in London for several years doing marketing and pharmaceutical research. While in England, I took advantage of my location and traveled as much as I could. I decided to move back to the United States to be closer to family and friends, and I started working with America World in 2000. I was married to my husband Jonathan in April of 2003 and we had our precious daughter in 2005. Since I began working with AW, I have been part of marketing, family coordinating, and am now the director of the Eastern Europe programs. It is a joy to work with such a wonderful team of people, and the work itself is rewarding. Every child matched with his or her forever family is a reminder to me of what a blessing and honor it is to be part of this process.

Harmon Meldrim, LCSW, PhD
Social Services Advisor/New York Regional Director of Social Services
Email

My connection with America World began with the adoption of our daughters, Grace and Chloe, from China. Later, I worked for America World first as an Associate, then as the Regional Director of Social Services for New York state, where I do home studies for families. I also advise America World on social services issues, and supervise the New Jersey and Minnesota America World social workers.

My wife and I have a total of six children, two by birth and four by adoption. I am retired from the US Air Force where I provided social services to military families for 21 years. I am also a social work professor at Roberts Wesleyan College. I am a licensed clinical social worker with a Masters Degree in Social Work and a PhD in Child and Family Studies. I have grown in the knowledge of God’s amazing grace through the gift of adoption and want to help all eligible and willing Christian families know the joy my family and I have experienced.

Michael Stone
National Public Relations Director (Ohio Office)
Email

I have spent most of my life in northwest Ohio, and returned to Ohio in February 2004 with my wife, Tammy, and daughter, Maylia, after spending almost 7 years in Springfield, Missouri. I graduated from Central Bible College with a BA in Pastoral Ministries. In the summer of 1996, we went on a mission trip to El Salvador to minister to the needs of the homeless and parentless children. It was there that the Lord planted a seed in our hearts for orphaned children throughout the world. That seed continued to grow through the years until we were able to begin ministering to those orphans through America World. On October 22, 2003, we returned home from China with Maylia Rose, our first child. Then, on March 26, 2004, we experienced the birth of our son, Joshua Michael. It is a privilege to work in adoption ministry at America World, sharing the 'Spirit of Adoption' message.

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 two of our three daughters, Lori and Kaiti. My oldest daughter, Anna, was married in April and lives in Lima, 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 when my oldest daughter was born. I feel very blessed to have been able to be at home full time for many years raising my girls. I had desired for some time to return to work professionally. In May of 2004 I was licensed by the State of Ohio and began to wait on the Lord for a position that would be fulfilling and work well with my family. I feel very blessed and humbled to have been hired by America World to conduct home studies 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.

Julia Norris
Director of Regional Social Services
Email

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 baby.

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. In 1999 God opened the door for me to work for ACAA (now known as AWAA). I love working with families and most of all seeing the orphans find their “forever homes.” In the summer of 2000 I had the privilege of leading a mission trip to an orphanage in China. It was that trip that really changed my life, because nine months later I was back in China adopting a seven-year-old boy. The older children I met on that trip had such an impact on my