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
Austyn McPherson, Office Assistant
Austyn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pacific University in 2009. She spent a month in Madurai, India in 2007 studying the orphanage system and adoption process as part of a travel course. Austyn worked for the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Portland Metropolitan Area from 2008-2010 as a school site program assistant and a summer program substitute. While at Pacific Austyn also worked for the Center for Gender Equity and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Her relatives adopted from China and Austyn is excited to be in a position to help adoptive parents through Dove. "What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family." -Mother Teresa
Nancy Miller, Social Services
Nancy earned a BS in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University and MS in Family Support from Nova Southeastern University. She has been married for 21 years and has lived in Oregon for 12 years. She has spent two years at Dove and has five years of experience with domestic adoptions and birthparent counseling. Nancy has also worked for many years in child development and early childhood education. She works part-time at Dove and also works part-time as a director of youth and children's ministry. Free time is focused on the activities of her 16-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter. "One plants, another waters and God gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7."
Evangelina Owens, Programs Assistant
Evangelina earned her BA/BFA from Oregon State University in 2007. She has years of professional customer service, management and consulting experience working with both national and international clients. Evangelina has lived in Botswana and Malawi and has extensive world travel experience that includes spending time at SOS EE facilities in Ethiopia in support of an adoption. Today she enjoys helping families through all stages of their adoption process with Dove. Evangelina enjoys reading, writing, photography and spending time with her husband. She and her husband recently travelled to Brazil and are currently planning a trip to Thailand. "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."
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.