Dove Adoptions started with a single adoption from Romania in 1992. On a mission trip to Romania, Dove’s founder, Orvalee Farris saw the struggle her friends were having as they tried to adopt from that country. The adoption process was complicated and the family was met with many setbacks. The more Orvalee learned about their efforts to adopt and their child, the more she felt led to help. Her endeavors paid off and this family was able to bring their little boy home. Dove Adoptions International has received notification that it has achieved Hague Accreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA) as authorized by the U.S. Department of State.
Hague Accreditation attests that Dove Adoptions International is in substantial compliance with the Hague Convention Accreditation Standards. Dove Adoptions International Hague Accreditation Expiration Date is July 31, 2012.
Meet Our Staff
Nancy Miller, Social Services Assistant
Nancy earned a BS in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University and MS in Family Support from Nova Southeastern University. She has four years of experience in adoption and many years in early childhood education and customer service. She and her husband enjoy participating in activities with their teenage son and daughter. "One plants, another waters and God gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7."
Ellen Goodrich, Accounting Manager
Ellen has worked with Dove Adoptions for five years bringing 6 years of education in accounting and business management and 11 years accounting and bookkeeping experience. Ellen has enjoyed being an integral part of Dove's mission and is pleased to see the Dove family continually grow. Ellen and her husband spend time marveling at their first child, daughter Gracie, who was born in November 2006. She's growing up too quickly, and every day with he is a new and joyful experience. As a family, they enjoy camping, watching Blazers basketball and spending time with relatives and friends. "I enjoy being a part of Dove as I get to share in the excitement of a family coming together. That is the best part of what I do."
Krista Nichols, Project Coordinator
Krista is the mother of three children adopted internationally from Russia and Ethiopia. Her background in customer relations combined with her passion for orphans of the world brought her to Dove Adoptions over three years ago. She and her husband are excited to add another child to their family through adoption soon. "It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the adoption process; every part of who you are, emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally becomes involved in bringing a child home. Helping families break that process down and move forward one step at a time is so rewarding. I can't think of anything else I would rather do."
Ryan Nichols, Director of Social Services
Ryan is a pastor in the Christian Church presently serving a congregation in Oregon. He received his BA in Biblical Research at Puget Sound Christian College in Edmonds, WA and his Masters of Divinity from Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City with specialized training in family counseling. His experience includes clinical pastoral work at Mountain Home VA Hospital (TN) and two years in house work with emotionally disturbed boys at a family group home. He has done extensive work in the field of pre-marital counseling and has 10 years of individual counseling experience. Ryan and his wife have adopted three children internationally and are working on their fourth adoption. "It's a fantastic experience to be invited into the lives of families at such a pivotal point in their lives"
Kari Rose, Program Director Assistant
Since 1995 Kari has been doing non-profit work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Much of her time with the foundation has been in fund raising and education. This experience combined with a background in office management and continuing education in business management, brings a mixture of social activism and solid business skills to Dove. She enjoys golfing and dirt bike riding with her husband. "What a joy to watch families be joined through the magic of adoption, I feel blessed to be a part of the journey"
LaDonna Stearns, Executive Director
LaDonna has been working in the field of adoption since 1994. She has worked in all areas involved with adoption from post placement coordination to program director. LaDonna feels called by God to continue her mother's dream of helping orphans find homes. She has served as Executive Director since her mother OrvaLee Farris, Dove's founder, retired. LaDonna brings a strong background in early childhood education as well as experience with family support. She and her husband love the outdoors, taking advantage of Oregon's natural beauty with their four children. "The most rewarding part of working in adoption is knowing that you had a part in changing a child's life forever."
Tami Stewart, Adoption Program Director
Tami earned her BA in Social Work from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. She has over 15 years of experience working with children and families. Tami was a member of the Washington County, OR. Early Intervention Advisory Council from 1995-2005. In addition she has served on numerous non-profit boards and brings with her a great understanding of the working of a non-profit agency. She and her husband are extremely involved in their community and greatly enjoy spending time with their beautiful daughter. "You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." - Desmond Tutu
International Staff:
Eugene Dzhafarov
Eugene is Dove's representative in Russia. Eugene has worked with Dove for over 10 years helping families and children unite. He has been the driving force behind Dove's summer program which brings parents together with older children from Russia. His strong desire to see children of all ages find loving homes is the motivation for the work that he does. Eugene lives in Moscow with his wife and three children.
Sintayehu Getachew
Sintayehu is Dove's country representative and lawyer in Ethiopia. He worked on the legal team at The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation in Ethiopia for 24 years prior to coming to Dove. He has recently completed his advanced legal studies in 2007 from the Ethiopian Civil Service College. Working for Dove has enabled Sintayehu to work in his field while helping to fulfill his passion for the orphans of Ethiopia. He finds it an extreme joy to work with Dove's families as they take the next step in becoming a family. He, his wife, and wonderful boys live in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.