Ethio-Blended Families

Ethio-American Family Services (EAFS) is a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) with a mission to educate, empower, and enrich the lives of Ethiopian orphans and their adoptive families. EAFS supports programs in Ethiopia for orphans, provides educational programming, and cross-cultural opportunities that are vital to the development of Ethio-blended families. Through our efforts we will make a difference in the lives of Ethiopian-born children, ease their transition after adoption and help build more culturally connected families.

Dedra D. Hawkins is a Pharmacy Director, receiving her B.S. in Biology from Albany State University. She later graduated from Mercer University with her Doctorate of Pharmacy and completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Emory Healthcare.
Dedra's interest in Ethiopia and adoption began as a little girl living in Darmstadt, Germany. A family in Darmstadt adopted 2 children from Ethiopia. She befriended these children and thought maybe one day she would adopt. She initially started out with the intention to adopt 2 girls. Approximately one month after receiving her referral for 2 girls, she was informed that an older sister was now available and her agency, Illien Adoptions International, wanted to know would she like to adopt her or help find a family close to her. After thinking about it, she decided to keep the sisters TOGETHER. She is now the proud mother of 3 sibling sisters Aster, Bizuwerk and Kalkidan that she adopted in 2007.

Aimee Richards is an Assistant Professor of Communication, receiving her B.A. in Fine Arts from Bethany College. Aimee has done her graduate studies including an M.A. and Ed.D (ABD) in Educational Psychology at West Virginia University. Aimee currently instructs undergraduate courses in Communication including Intercultural Communication. Aimee began her adoption journey in March of 2007 via Illien Adoptions International. In November of 2007, her life was forever changed for the better by the addition of her daughter, Brynly, to her family.

Contributors & Supporters

Tia Vincent, EAFS Advisor/Education Course Contributor is a Nationally Certified Counselor who currently works as a Professional School Counselor. Tia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Syracuse University. She continued on to pursue a Master's Degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She went on to join Teach For America, the National Teacher Corp, through which she began her teaching career. Her love of helping students reach their full potential led her to complete a Specialist Degree in School Counseling at the University of Georgia. Tia currently resides in Georgia with her three beautiful Ethiopian princesses, Eleni, Naia, and Eden, whom she adopted in early 2008.

Corinne Freesman, EAFS Fundraising Video Creators, the business co-owner of Happy Baby Solutions, has always had a passion for working with children and families. After attending college for Early Childhood Development/Special and Elementary Education and working as a Nanny, a Pre-school and Daycare teacher, a Special Education Assistant and various other jobs involving children of all ages, Corinne decided it was time to have her own children. She and her husband, Ryan, had the privilege of adopting their first child, Kaitlyn Jade at age 1, and having their birth daughter Brooklyn Aliyah. March 2008, Corinne and Ryan added to their family by adopting two children from Ethiopia who are now 2 and 6 years old. They are pleased with their most recent addition, baby Jaidyn, who was born on Oct 23rd, 2009.

Julie Trotter, EAFS Fundraising Video Creators, the business co-owner of Happy Baby Solutions, has always had a passion for infants and their development. In 2004 she graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and got married to her husband, Travis. She moved to Atlanta and this is where she and Corinne met. For the past 13 years Julie has worked with children and families through various jobs including being a Nanny, Daycare teacher, and a Baby Nurse. Julie is now the proud mother of Braydon born on July 14th, 2007 and her adopted children from Ethiopia, Addisu age 13 and Samarah age 5. She is looking forward to meeting her newest addition due in May 2009!

Sarah Dunn, EAFS Nanny Trainer is a Registered Nurse.

Jaime Sereika, EAFS Education Course Contributor