Affiliates

Carlie Robinson

Arizona Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello! I am a native to Arizona and have never been able to leave this beautiful state! I graduated from Arizona State University with bachelor degrees in Psychology and Family and Human Development. I have worked in non-profit for six years, including service in: education, development, community resources, foster care and adoption.

With that said, I believe that there is no greater work than adoption. Helping build forever families is a beautiful blessing I am grateful to be a part of at America World. I am looking forward to supporting your family through your adoption journey.

Robert Woolridge, MSW

California Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello! I am very excited to be part of the America World family. As a Pastor’s kid growing up in Southern California, I was always blessed to be surrounded by a supportive and encouraging family. I first started my social work career in my early teens and eventually found myself studying social work at both the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.

In 2006, God led me to the world of international adoptions and since that time, I have had the sincere pleasure of working with many families in Southern California and assisting them with home study services. I am both honored and humbled to be working for America World. I feel confident that God will bless our team and allow us to bring the America World service and expertise to the state of California.

Amy Kryszan, MSW

Florida Director of Social Services (Email)
Greetings from Florida. My name is Amy Kryszan and I am the Director of Social Services for the Florida office. Growing up, I always knew that God had a special place for me and that my ministry would be exactly as He intended, however I never knew that it would be this wonderful. As an only child, I always dreamed of a big family and due to circumstance, I have been blessed beyond belief with three beautiful children through adoption. When asked why I love my job so much, the answer is simple: I get to help others experience the same joy and love that my husband I have had the honor and privilege of experiencing with our children.

With my Masters degree in Social Work, I have had the wonderful opportunity of serving in the field for over 10 years, working specifically with foster care, adoptions, and mental health. It is an honor to do the Lord’s work through adoption and see forever families come together in this process.

Diane Hood, MS

Georgia Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello from the Peach State! My name is Diane Hood and I have a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eckerd College and a Master’s degree from Florida State University. My husband and I became parents in 1993 when a beautiful woman named Mary chose us as the parents of her unborn son. We went on to have three children by birth: two more sons and a daughter.

Since 1995, I have been performing domestic and international homestudies, working with women in crisis pregnancies, and advocating for orphans around the world. Adoption is a calling and a passion, and I seek to honor God in this ministry. He has adopted us as His children and I feel blessed that He gives me the opportunity to help children and parents come together in forever families.

Cristina Schaff, MA, LPC

Illinois Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello from Illinois! My name is Cristina Schaff and I am the Director of Social Services for Illinois. I am a native of the Chicagoland area and also spent some of my life growing up in a small town in Western Michigan. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Calvin College and my Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Lewis University. I have been working with children and families through foster care and adoption for over 10 years. I feel incredibly blessed that God has led me to America World. I am passionate about adoption and look forward to working with you as you build your family through adoption!

Angie Reed

Iowa Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello! I am excited to be a part of America World and growing families! I am a 2001 graduate from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Worker. Over the past 13 years I have worked in the area of Child Welfare for both the State of Iowa and direct care agencies providing a number of services to families, and the last 2 years serving families in the adoption world. My husband and I have been married for over 12 years and we have been blessed with two wonderful boys that keep our life interesting!

Roxi Sheeran, LMFT

Kansas Director of Social Services (Email)
“What is the price of five sparrows- two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” –Luke 12: 6-7

God’s amazing love for each one of us is unique and special. He knows the desire of the orphan to be placed in a loving home. He understands the longing of the family who desires a child to love.

As a mother of three wonderful children, I cannot think of a much sweeter position to be in than one that helps to unite a child with a loving family. AWAA is an organization that seeks to honor God in every aspect of the adoption process. I am immensely blessed to be part of this organization. I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kansas State University and I obtained my Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University. I pray that through God’s provision, there will be an outpouring of families in Kansas that are called to adopt!

Laura Click, LCSW

Kentucky Director of Social Services (Email)
Greetings from Kentucky! I am very excited to be serving as the Director of Social Services for the families in Kentucky. I began my journey with America World 10 years ago, where I worked in the finance department after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University. I left America World in order to pursue my Master’s degree in Social Work from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Upon graduation, I spent two years as a foster care social worker in Virginia, and another 4 as a therapist for children, adolescents, and families in various settings both in Virginia and in Kentucky, eventually earning my license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2013.

Throughout my career, God’s heart for adoption has remained in the forefront of my mind and as I now have two young children of my own, I am very excited about the opportunity to spend more time with them while using the skills that I have developed throughout my career to guide and support families through their adoption journeys.

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!

Nichole Deal, MSW

Missouri Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello from Missouri! I have a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri-Columbia. I have worked in the adoption field for over 18 years and have experiences in both international and domestic adoptions.

In addition, I also have personal adoption experience, as my parents adopted me domestically when I was two months old. I know that The Lord placed me in the family that was meant especially for me! I love the fact that I can combine my own personal and professional experiences in working with families. I look forward to helping create forever families for all of the orphaned children of the world, just as my own was created!

Samantha Fuhrman, MSW

New York Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello from New York! I am truly honored to be a part of what God is doing in the world through America World. I earned my BSW from Cairn University, and my MSW from Bryn Mawr College. I have experience working in foster care, the homeless population, mental health, and as a family and children’s therapist. As a Christian social worker, it is my desire to serve God through advocating for those without a voice. I am awed by what God is doing for orphans through the obedience and faithfulness of his people, and believe that AWAA is a place where this is happening on a daily basis.

Michele Kuxhausen

North Carolina Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello from North Carolina! I attended graduate school at the West Virginia Graduate College and earned my MA degree in Counseling. I have been serving children and families as a social worker for over 16 years. I started working at America World in 2005 as a Home Study Coordinator, and in December of 2009, started serving as the North Carolina DSS. I have a passion working with families and have been very grateful for this amazing opportunity to help orphans unite with Christian families. I feel extremely blessed to be part of such an amazing ministry. I love my job and I am committed to America World and the families that we serve.

Myndee Miller, MSW, LSW

Ohio Director of Social Services (Email)
Thank you for letting me take a few minutes to introduce myself as the Director of Social Services for AWAA in Ohio. My name is Myndee Miller. Originally from Erie Illinois, I attended Lincoln Christian University, then transferred to Kentucky Christian University where I met my husband and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Social Work. Upon graduation, I went on to obtain my Masters of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati. While completing my Master’s degree, I started working with a private Christian based foster care/adoption agency in the Cincinnati area. I have worked with children and families for over 10 years. Working with children and families domestically has inspired me to expand the pursuit of my true passion-working with international adoption. My passion to work with children internationally stems from several overseas mission trips to various countries, where I saw children needing loving Christian families. I joined the team at AWAA last May as a home study coordinator. When my husband obtained a youth ministry position in the Columbus area four years ago, we moved here with our two daughters, ages 6 and 4. They are very active and bless our lives with new adventures every day.

Amber Lewis, LPC

Oklahoma Director of Social Services (Email)
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” -Genesis 18:14

God reminded me of this affirmation and promise of his love and perfect timing while I waited in the hospital for my son to be born at 27 weeks gestation. Indeed nothing is too hard for the Lord, and he did give me a son in His perfect timing. I thank God for that experience because it helped grow my faith and it brought us to the point of being ready to adopt a child. We found AWAA in the next year and began our journey toward bringing home our beautiful daughter from China. I once again relied on God's promise of perfect timing during our seemingly long wait for her. We now have 3 sons and 1 daughter, all wonderful and unique gifts from the Lord. Prior to that, I was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Texas, and earned my bachelors at Texas A&M (whoop!). I met my wonderful husband in graduate school in Mississippi, and we moved to Oklahoma in 1995. While I have spent most of my time since 1997 at home with my growing “brood” of children, I have also enjoyed my work as a part-time Licensed Professional Counselor. I am delighted now to have the opportunity to help others find their place in the beautiful process of adoption, and I believe God’s calling me to work with AWAA is one of the most thrilling things He has ever place in my path.

Charles Hodge

Oregon Director of Social Services (Email)
Greetings from the lovely state of Oregon. I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve with the great people that make up the America World family. After spending nearly a decade in my first career as a chemist, living and working in SE Washington, I moved to Oregon continue my schooling.

Little did I know God had a different plan for me – after my first term He showed me a different path and I made a small course correction, shifting my degree from organic chemistry to pastoral ministry. After serving as an associate and youth pastor I started working in the social service field and I’ve been doing that ever since. I have worked with adjudicated girls and boys, high needs kids in foster care, and most recently with homeless families.

I earned a Masters in Nonprofit Management and Leadership in 2013 and started with America World in December of 2014 and have had the privilege to work with a great Social Service team and a number of families across Oregon, helping them fulfill their calling for domestic and international adoption. With each new family I meet I am blessed and humbled to be a part of a God and child centered organization.

Emily Head, MSW

South Carolina Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello! It’s a great day in South Carolina! I have always had a passion for adoption, and am very blessed to be a part of AWAA. I received my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Social Work from Florida State University. I have had the privilege of working with domestic adoptions and also child protective services in my professional career. I am excited about venturing to International Adoption, particularly placing orphans across the world in Godly families who will raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. I have four beautiful children (Mackenzie, Parker, Ashton, and Boaz). My husband is adopted and we hope to one day adopt a child as well, Lord willing. I am looking forward to serving adoptive families in South Carolina!

Lindsey Reeves

Tennessee Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello from Nashville! My name is Lindsey Reeves and I am the Director of Social Services for the Tennessee office. I am a blessed wife and mother of 4 beautiful children who keep me on my toes!

Having had my own life changed through the miracle of adoption, I knew from an early age that I wanted to take up the cause of the fatherless and work in the field of adoption. After receiving my Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Lipscomb University and working with families and children for several years, I began to seek the Lord earnestly about an opportunity to work in adoption. He blessed me beyond what I could have imagined and I am so blessed to be a part of the amazing ministry at America World where I can be a part of what God is doing for orphans through Christian families

Kim Cunningham, LBSW, LCPAA

Texas Director of Social Services (Email)
I am very excited to be representing America World Adoption in Texas. I have over 12 years of social work experience, working in Child Protective Services, foster care and adoption. I have been married for over 15 years and have 2 children. It's a privilege to be a part of creating forever families. I feel God has led me to be partners with this wonderful Christian ministry at America World Adoption. I look forward to helping you through your process.

Laurel Hanlon, MSW, LGSW

VA/MD Home Study Coordinator (Email)
My work with America World began in 2005. After holding positions as an Asia Family Coordinator and Assistant Ethiopia Program Director, I left the agency in order to pursue my Master’s degree in Social Work. After receiving experience in school social work, foster care and working with families impacted by HIV/AIDS, I am pleased to be back at America World working as a Home Study Coordinator for Virginia and Maryland families. I am enjoying the opportunities that this role affords me to work more directly with adoptive families and their children.

Lucy Nichols

Washington Director of Social Services (Email)
Hello from Washington State! I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. I am excited to embark on this new journey and serve families as the Director of Social Services. I attended Washington State University where I earned my Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies. I later completed my Masters in Social Work from Eastern Washington University. I also currently work as a Medical Social Worker. In the past, I have worked in schools, promoting education for low income and disadvantaged students. I thank God every day and feel honored that he is allowing me to help others. I have four wonderful children, two which were adopted from Ethiopia and an amazing husband of 10 years.