ECHO
founder
- Tara Tschritter
Tara's lifelong dream
has been to adopt an orphan, and to promote saving orphaned children
from around the world through international adoption. In her search
for information about adoption, Tara came to realize the enormous costs
involved for families wanting to adopt, and that there are no grants
currently available in Canada to assist with the fees that are required
to be paid by adoptive parents. This compelled her to begin looking
into starting the non-profit that has now become ECHO.
Tara's education consists
of an International Relations Degree. She is currently active in ECHO's
grant writing program. She also acts as Embracing Children's liason
for orphanages in Belize City and Belmopan Belize.
E-mail Tara at: tara@embracingchildren.com
January
2010 - NEW President - Maxine Russ
Currently Maxine works
for the Ministry of Housing and Social Development in the BC Public
Service as an Acting Manager and Business Management Analyst. Her education
consists of a Criminology Diploma, a Computerized Accounting Diploma,
a Business Technology Certificate (Legal Speciality), and course work
towards a Child and Youth Care Degree. She is currently completing her
Administration of Indigenous Law and Governance Certificate Program.
"I think all teenagers, children, and babies around the world should
be given the chance to be part of a loving, caring family."
E-mail Maxine at:
maxine@embracingchildren.com
Secretary
- Christine Macdonald
Christine has worked
for the Ministry of Housing and Social Development in the BC Public
Service for the last 9 years, as an Employment and Assistance Worker
and now a Family Maintenance Worker. Her education consists of a diploma
in Criminology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology. Throughout
her travels, she has been horrified to see the conditions that our world's
orphaned children live in.
"It breaks my heart that so many children are forced to live without
loving families. What makes it even more of a tragedy is that there
are families dreaming of bringing these children into their lives, their
homes, and their hearts, but are unable to do so due to finances. I
am proud to be working with an organization working to find a solution,
and make a difference - one child, one family at a time."
E-mail Christine at: christine@embracingchildren.com
Treasurer
- Tanya Wrafter
Tanya currently works for
the Ministry of Housing and Social Development in the BC Public Service
as an Employment and Assistance Worker. Tanya has a Bachelor of Arts
in Psychology and hopes to further her education in the near future.
Traveling is a love of Tanya's and she has witnessed the conditions
firsthand of orphaned children around the world.
"Every child deserves a loving family and a home to call their own."
E-mail Tanya at:
tanya@embracingchildren.com
Fundraising
Director - Joanne Faulkner
Joanne
currently works for the Ministry of Children and Family Development
in the BC Public Service as a Businesss Analyst. Joanne is pleased to
be involved again after a few years away from ECHO, pursuing her Bachelor
of Commerce degree in Entrepreneurial Management. Her current role is
in ECHO's grant writing program. She has traveled to the Dominican Republic,
Cuba, and Mexico, and like several of ECHO's board members, has seen
the poverty and homelessness/orphan issues firsthand.
"I like this quote from Oprah Winfrey: 'Biology is the least of what
makes someone a mother.'
Having step children of my own and knowing other families who have adopted,
or given up their children due to difficult family circumstances, I
value the important work ECHO is doing for families and the waiting
children who need forever homes."
E-mail Joanne at:
joanne@embracingchildren.com
Past
President & Current Grant Writer - Yasmeen Hinton
Currently Yasmeen works
as a supervisor for the Ministry of Finance in the BC Public Service.
Her education consists of a Business Administration Certificate and
a Professional Financial Planning (PFP) designation. After several years
of passionate leadership as ECHO President, Yasmeen is currently an
active member in the grant writing program.
"Adoption of children is very near and dear to my heart. Nothing could
make me happier than to see a child in the arms of a loving and nurturing
family."
E-mail Yasmeen at:
yasmeen@embracingchildren.com
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