Archive for March 21, 2013

Meet Jennifer Taylor!

We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received.

This week we want to introduce you to someone with a great big heart, our Africa Adoption Counselor, Jennifer Taylor! Jennifer is all things great. She is poised, intelligent, and collected. This partnered together with her natural spunk and zeal for life makes her one phenomenal woman! Around this office she is a tried and true visionary. She has this ability to look out into the distance and start formulating needs before the rest of us even know that they are there. We couldn’t ask for a better staffer than that!

So without further ado… Meet Jennifer!

1. What is your job title and description here at CAN?

Africa Adoption Counselor- Families begin working with me once their dossier has been submitted. I work with them through the waiting phase, and then once they are matched with a child I help them complete their adoption. I work with 4 countries- DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Uganda.

2. How long have you been working at CAN?

Since June 2012

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love working on developing new ways and programs to support the children in the orphanages. My “baby” is our JumpStart program which is a really AMAZING education + counseling program we started in DRC. There is NOTHING better than getting those updates from our instructor and watching these amazing children learn and get excited about meeting their new families.

4. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

Not being in control of the adoption processing in the foreign countries. It is quite a challenge to feel like you are successfully supporting families when there is just so much that is completely out of your control. We all just want to unite these families as quickly as possible!

5. How have you grown personally from working at CAN and with their families?

This job certainly keeps you humble, and as I learn more and more everyday through my job about the struggles of others living in the countries I work with, it reminds me how easy my life is! I see pictures, videos, and hear stories about these children who have nothing yet they are laughing and playing. I follow these children throughout their adoption journey and am constantly amazed at how brave they are- leaving everything they know when they come to the US.  It is inspiring and helps to keep everything in perspective.

6. Why do you love adoption?

I love adoption because it gives these children a chance to feel unconditional love, to have a home where they are safe, to be kids, and to have a real chance at life. The reality of what these children face if they are never adopted is terrible. I also love the kindness of families to open their homes and hearts to children who they have never met who may be older, or have special needs. They take a big risk on these children and I really admire that. It is always such a great love story!

Fun Facts about Jennifer:

1. Im obsessed with my French Bulldog, Hazel. She is the cutest little stinker!

2. My husband and I got married in Macerino Italy in October of 2011- a year and a half later and I am still having withdrawals from my “Italian” way of life.

3. I consider myself a margarita connoisseur and am determined to find the perfect margarita in Austin Tx.

4. I majored in Anthropology at the University of Texas and am fascinated by primate studies (social behavior, anatomy, ecology, etc).

“Jennifer is the best co-worker one could ask for! She is always there to help other colleagues and she deeply cares about the families, the children, and the in-country staff she is working with. I know her job is not always easy, and she goes above and beyond to do her best!”– Jennifer’s co-worker

Meet Lora VanHoogstraat!

We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received.

This week we want to introduce you to someone that works so hard that she makes the rest of us look bad, our Dossier Specialist, Lora VanHoogstraat! By description, Lora’s job is one that requires dedication, hard work and paying attention to the little things. Fortunately for us, she embodies those characteristics!  We like to say that this job is not for the faint-of-heart, and she knows this more than anyone. She goes above and beyond at all times, and for that she is very loved. Today we are thankful for Lora’s commitment to our purpose. She’s a gift to our families and our agency.

So without further ado… Meet Lora!

1. What is your job title and description here at GWCA?

Dossier Specialist – Advise, advocate and provide knowledgeable information to families working through the dossier process.  From the very beginning whether they are already matched with a particular child or whether they are waiting to receive their LID, I am there every step of the way until dossier is sent to China!

2. How long have you been working at GWCA?

May 2012

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love making the “dreaded paper chase” process as smooth and exciting as possible. It is the first big step in the adoption journey and I like that I am able to make it enjoyable.

When a family signs up for the Dossier Dragon Service, it allows me to take some of the burden off of their hands. Maybe I’m a little bit of a control freak, but I love that it helps families worry a little less.

Finally, I enjoy talking to families about their little ones, advocating for families and most definitely receiving pictures when the adoption is complete!

4. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

Working with outside government entities can be difficult. Sometimes documents going through the process can encounter delays that are not in my control.  It is difficult to have to explain this to the family especially when they are matched and have a little one waiting for them in China.

5. How have you grown personally from working at GWCA and with their families?

I have learned a ton! Not only about the adoption process as a whole, but how there are so many amazing families in this world. I never knew until working here that so many families considered a special needs adoption… and from another country! It continues to amaze me every day.

6. Why do you love adoption?

There is nothing to not love about adoption! It brings a family together. It makes a child who has had no control over his/her life thus far, be able to live a new life with a loving family. It brings hope to families who are not able to have children or who just want to expand their family to a child in need. It is an amazing process and I’m lucky to be a part of it!

Fun facts about Lora:

1. I am from the mitten. (That’s what Michiganders call Michigan) Go Blue!
2. My boyfriend of 5 years and I recently purchased our first home.
3. I have 2 cats (although I am a dog person at heart), named Kiki and Pooka. They drive me crazy, but I love them.
4. I am a very picky eater, but breakfast tacos are my favorite food.
5. I might have an addiction to Groupon. This is not a paid advertisement- they just have great deals!

“Lora goes out of her way to make sure families feel comfortable and secure in the process for their China dossier. She answers all their questions, helps fill out all their forms, and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure her families are on the right path. Lora goes out of her way to help her co-workers anytime, and forges a positive attitude within the agency! Our families always walk away from the China dossier process feeling supported and ready for the next phase of their adoption journey!”- Lora’s coworker

Meet Leigh Anne Graf!

We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received.

This week we want to introduce you to someone that we don’t think we could really live without around this office, our Vice President, Leigh Anne Graf! Leigh Anne is the kind of person that everyone can count on 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Her empathy level runs deep and it translates into the way she so easily identifies with families, and serves them throughout their adoption journey. Leigh Anne can always be counted on to go that extra mile, and in today’s world that is a hard quality to find. She truly inspires each of us to meet the bar that she has set- and we strive everyday to measure up.

So without further ado… Meet Leigh Anne!

1. What is your job title and description here at GWCA?

Vice President of Great Wall and Children of All Nations. I have a variety of tasks that I work on throughout the agency. A lot of my work involves oversight/consultation for our international programs and staff, strategic planning, Hague and State licensing compliance, Quality Improvement, Program management, Staff Training and work with the Children of All Nations Waiting Child Program.

2. How long have you been working at GWCA?

I started with Great Wall in 1998.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love that each day is different and that I get to share the happiness and challenges of building families. I also love the staff we have here at Great Wall/CAN. Everyone is passionate about the work that they do and we have an amazing crew!

4. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

Feeling frustrated when the bureaucracy and red tape of international adoption adds barriers and additional challenges to children uniting with their families.

5. How have you grown personally from working at GWCA and with their families?

In looking back at my time spent here – a few key things come to mind:

• Children are resilient. Never, ever give up on their possibilities and potential – no matter what challenges you think they may face.
•  Being a part of something greater and more global is essential to being happy with my work.
•  I feel I have a stronger sense of taking things “one day at a time”, at work and on a personal level.
•  I have learned that when something changes – it is important to bend with the changes and look for the opportunities and lessons provided by the change.

6. Why do you love adoption?  

Every child deserves a loving home no matter where they come from, or what challenges they may face. Adoption provides these amazing children with a chance to have a family of their own. I am honored to be a tiny part of their story.

Fun facts about Leigh Anne: 

1. I have a 2 year old – Avery Kate who amazes me every day!
2. I’m an Aggie – Whoop!!
3. I wanted to be a truck driver when I was 10 years old.
4. I’m a music junkie! Love all kinds
5.  Family Bucket list:  visit every National Park in the U.S.

“I can always count on Leigh Anne, and I know our families feel the same way.  Leigh Anne is the best person to go to for problem solving.  She is also detail-oriented…which is necessary in international adoption!  Above everything else, Leigh Anne is extremely caring and passionate.  I feel very lucky to have her as a coworker!”-Leigh Anne’s coworker

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Meet Michael Wenhold!

We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received.

This week we want to introduce you to someone that many of you might not know yet, our Administration Director, Michael Wenhold! Michael is one of this office’s best kept secrets. He is well-known and loved by all of our staff, but due to his behind-the-scenes role, you may have never had the sincere privilege of meeting Michael! He is consistently taking care of the staff and working diligently to make sure that everything around here goes off seamlessly. He is someone that will make your grey skies a little brighter, and put a big smile on your face- mainly because he always has one on his.

So without further ado… Meet Michael!

1. What is your job title and description here at GWCA?

My title is Administration Director.  I function as the Accounting Manager, Human Resource Manager, and Office Manager for GWCA/CAN.

2. How long have you been working at GWCA?

I started here in June 2012.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy getting to work with all the Great Wall/CAN employees as they help families through the adoption process.  Our staff is filled with dedicated individuals that constantly go above and beyond to make sure families have the best adoption experience.  Getting to work with such selfless individuals makes my job great!

4. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

My commute and dealing with Austin traffic.

5. How have you grown personally from working at GWCA and with their families?

Although I don’t get to work with families directly, I still feel like I have grown from working here.  Working at this organization has opened my eyes to the real problems around the world.  When I think about the problems in my life, they don’t compare in contrast to what others are dealing with.

6. Why do you love adoption?

I love adoption because it can help a make family complete.  Not everybody has the ability to have children but through adoption everyone can have a family.  Every child deserves to have loving parents and a place to call home.

Fun facts about Michael:

1. I was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts (where the Pilgrims landed).  I guess that’s why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (and the food)!
2. I love football.  My favorite team is the New England Patriots.  I have a man crush on Tom Brady.  Who doesn’t. I also play in a flag football league.
3. I am married to my high school sweetheart.  I have 1 son in the 6^th grade and 2 dogs.
4. My wife and I have a retirement plan to open a bed & breakfast on the East Coast.
5. I have never had any broken bones.

 “Michael is a great representation of GWCA because he embodies the values of the organization. He is hardworking, always willing to help others, and very resourceful. I love working with Michael because he takes pride in his work and makes everyone’s day easier because he works so diligently, consistently going above and beyond what is asked of him. He’s here early and stays late everyday, and that is just one example in how he makes a big difference for the families we serve.” -Michael’s co-worker

Meet Kristy Inman!

We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received!

Our next staff member that we want to introduce you to is Kristy Inman, one of our international adoption counselors! Kristy is a case manager for our Latin American & Caribbean, European and Asian countries. She works exclusively for our CAN office, advocating for our families interested in adopting children from those regions. Kristy is a little ray of sunshine. She cares about connecting with the people around here, and that’s no exception for her families. She is there for them when they need her the most and she’s fiercely committed to their cause.

So without further ado… Meet Kristy!

1. What is your job title and description here at CAN?

My job title is International Adoption Counselor for Children of All Nations. I am the case manager for families in our non-Africa, non-China programs. Once a family sends back their contract I work with them to help complete their dossier all the way through the referral phase until they are ready to travel.

2. How long have you been working at CAN?

I have been with CAN since the summer of 2012.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

The best part about my job is knowing that all the hard work I put in goes towards helping fulfill the real need for children that do not have permanent homes. I enjoy getting to know my families and walking beside them on their adoption journey. Adoption is a unique process and it’s a privilege to labor on behalf of these children and families.

My favorite part in the process is issuing the referral of a child to a family. Each family spends so much time, energy and resources towards being able to offer their home to a child in need and I feel very fortunate to facilitate the family learning about this child for the first time. The child that they’ve planned and made sacrifices for now has a name, face, picture and identity.  After all the preparation the family has done it’s a joyful moment to share their referral with them.

4. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

When working in international adoption you cannot escape the fact that there are a lot unknowns. I work with my families for such a long period of time that in many ways I experience the highs and lows of their adoption right along with them. When there are questions that can’t be answered for a family I feel frustrated too. I often wish I had a crystal ball on my desk to reference so I could alleviate all of those unknowns for every one of my families.

5. How have you grown personally from working at CAN and with their families?

I have learned so much during my time here at CAN. I have never worked harder, and never been more satisfied with my work. I am constantly understanding more what it means to do something fulfilling and how believing in what you do can make all the difference.

My families have taught me a lot about perseverance and sacrifice when caring for others. Families will go through great lengths, inconveniences and expenses to care for a child they may not even know yet. It serves as a constant reminder of what we’re capable of—and what we’re capable of can be astounding.

6. Why do you love adoption?

Over the last few years I have had several friends go through the adoption process, both domestically and internationally. Before I started at CAN I knew that adoption can be difficult, but worth all the effort. Since I’ve been an adoption counselor I have grown to comprehend what a gift these children are and how much they bless their adoptive families.

The picture of adoption is beautiful because it speaks of hope. Adoption is not necessarily how things are suppose to be. Children are not supposed to lose their first families. Yet there are millions of children without a home and without the ability to change their circumstance. Adoption is a reminder there’s always hope—and some for all of us.

Fun Facts about Kristy:

1. One of my career goals was to work for an adoption agency.
2. Growing up I was a competitive figure skater.
3. In college I took a semester off and taught English to elementary-high school aged kids in a small mountain town in Peru.
4. The biggest reason I may never leave Texas is queso and Tex-Mex.
5. I have been playing the cello for 15 years.
6. Sometimes I still dream of wining an Olympic gold medal.

“Kristy is so caring and kind with all of the families she works with and gets genuinely excited for them each step of the way. She makes a personal connection with them and spends a lot of time on the phone chatting with them. She has such a great bubbly and positive attitude!” –Kristy’s co-worker