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Hague Accredited 465 Fairchild Drive, Suite 215 • Mountain View, CA 94043 Voice: (650) 964-3800 • FAX: (650) 964-6467 |
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We are Experienced specialists with the goal of
connecting children with their new families.
Andrea StawitckeExecutive Director
"In 1991 I stepped into the director’s role at Bay Area Adoption Services. Little did I know then the incredible journey I was about to begin. I knew of BAAS from a close friend who adopted her children from Guatemala and was then on the BAAS board of directors. With my background, a masters in public administration, having served on non-profit boards, and working in child welfare and advocacy, it seemed a good fit.
"Since that time, I have been privileged to assist over 1,000 families, to travel to many countries in which we work, and to meet with government officials and wonderful caring people who help find homes for children. I am constantly reminded of how big our job is, and how very much we have to be grateful for. It is a pleasure to be associated with such a caring organization.
"I have served on the Board of Directors of JCICS and as president of that board (1998 – 2001), have been on the Practice and Advisory Committee for the Evan B. Donaldson Institute, and currently serve of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the City of Sunnyvale (I have been a bicycle commuter for over 3 ½ years!)
"I have been married for over 26 years and have two wonderful daughters, both of whom have worked at BAAS in a number of capacities. I also have three beagles who keep us busy at home!"
Janet ShirleyOverseas Program Coordinator
Janet Shirley has been working as the Overseas Program Coordinator for BAAS since 1990. She has assisted hundreds of families in choosing the best country program for their adoption and follows the families as they continue on in their adoption process.
Janet has lived and worked extensively in Central America and is currently involved in volunteer work in Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa. In 1988, Janet and her husband adopted their son, Miguel, from Honduras, thanks to BAAS' help and assistance. Since that time, Janet and family have returned to Honduras so that their son could meet his birth family and become familiar with his birth country. Miguel is now 18 years old and attending junior college in the north bay.
For Ms. Shirley, there is nothing more satisfying than to assist singles and couples in building their families through international adoption. "For me, adoption has been the greatest gift and joy of all. It gives me great satisfaction to help others now in their adoption journey."
Nikki
LazoDocument Specialist
"I am very fortunate and extremely appreciative to have the opportunity to work here. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a minor in Child Development. I’ve always had a passion to work at non-profits, especially on behalf of children and families. I’ve worked at a homeless shelter for families for over three years and truly enjoyed it. Now, I’m happy to say that I’m part of a great team that helps bridge orphaned children to loving parent’s. This job definitely keeps me busy as I learn something new everyday. It’s exciting to meet new families starting the process and just as exciting that at the same time there’s another family traveling home with their child. I enjoy being the person families talk to when they first start and the person they talk to when they arrive home. The best part is meeting a child for the first time, face to face – my face to their adorable face. Their innocence and their smiles are PRICELESS! My husband and I have a two-year-old son who we absolutely delight in, and I can honestly say that being a parent is joy unspeakable."
Meghan StawitckeCIS Coordinator
"I've been around BAAS since I was about 10 years old. My mother started working here in 1991 and I've followed her footsteps. I first started coming in to put together manuals and Initial Orientation (IO) packets, to make copies and do other odd jobs around the office. I graduated from UCLA in May 2005 with my BA in English Studies and immediately came back to northern California to work for BAAS. I guess I really couldn't stay away! After the previous CIS coordinator left, I was hired on full-time.
"On a daily basis, I work on homestudies, answer Immigration questions , attempt to coax answers out of the Immigration officers and help out with re-adoption cases and court reports. I love what I do here and it definitely keeps me busy. The Immigration aspect of my job keeps me on my toes, as things change every day and I need to stay up to date on that. I also love the work I do with the homestudies, as it allows me to have more interaction with our clients. I am definitely a people person, and I truly enjoy my daily interactions with the clients - it always makes me feel good at the end of the day to know I'm helping to create families and I'm happy to do everything I can!"
Sharon Bosley, MSW, LCSW, MFCCSocial Worker Supervisor
Sharon is a graduate of the Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She has worked in a number of venues including mental health, adoptions and maternal/child health settings. She is married and has three step sons, two of whom are married. There are two grandchildren, and a new baby is expected in September ’07. Sharon very much appreciates the work accomplished at BAAS and enjoys working with adoptive couples through the process.
Xiaoqing
Cai
China Program Coordinator
"I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to do this work –
to have this opportunity to help build families. It is the perfect work for
me- I can use my language ability and knowledge of two cultures. I love the
children and I love to work with the families. They are wonderful and appreciate
what I do.”
Sharmeela Shah, MSW, LCSW
India Program Coordinator
Sharmeela is a highly experienced social worker having worked extensively with families and children in a variety of mental health and community settings over the past twenty years. She has her Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai and from Columbia University, New York.
She joined the BAAS social work staff in 2006 and has been developing and coordinating the BAAS India program since June 2007. Having grown up in Mumbai, Sharmeela is fluent in three Indian languages. She communicates and transitions with ease and familiarity between the work culture in India and USA.
“Coordinating the India program is an exciting and immensely satisfying opportunity for me. I have a great deal of respect for the families I work with; their patience and determination in overcoming the many challenges of international adoption are truly impressive. Being a part of their journey as they open up their hearts and home to a child in need is a gratifying experience.”
