Agape Adoptions - About Us

AGAPE Adoptions is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt Child Placing Agency and charitable organization in the state of Washington. Founded by JoAnn Vesper, MSW, LISCW and Myriam Avery, MA, AGAPE Adoptions is the outcome of a joint vision and desire to help the orphaned children of the world. After several years working together on many adoptions, JoAnn and Myriam made the very thoughtful decision to open AGAPE Adoptions. Agape translates as unconditional love, which we believe every child deserves through a permanent family.

JoAnn Vesper, MSW, LICSW received her Masters of Social Worker from New Mexico Highlands University and is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in Washington State. She has worked in the field of adoption since 1980 serving birth parents, step-parents, grandparents and families adopting both internationally and domestically. JoAnn specializes in attachment parenting and serves on the board of ATTACh, an organization that educates and trains parents in how to care for children who come from difficult circumstances. She is a skilled therapist and provides therapeutic services in maternal and child public health as well as adoption support services for parents hoping to adopt domestically and internationally.

JoAnn has worked for several different adoption agencies over the past twenty years. She is the parent of three adult children adopted as infants including a son from Colombia, a daughter from Korea and another son adopted domestically in an open adoption.

Myriam Avery, MA has worked in the adoption field for 12 years. She has provided direct service to hundreds of families during the adoption process and helped process adoptions from Romania, India, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, Panama, and China. She has also worked with families who have adopted children in the United States. Myriam has traveled to many countries helping adoptive families and is skilled in working with US Embassy’s and Consulates worldwide.

Additionally, Myriam has two biological boys and one daughter adopted from China in 2006. Myriam has completed a published thesis on international adoption.

Myriam and JoAnn are a dedicated team who are committed to the orphaned and needy children of the world who are in need of permanent loving homes. They have extensive knowledge regarding all aspects of the adoption process- from beginning to end. Together they have more than 35 years of direct service to families in the adoption process.

Please give us a call if you want to discuss your options with regard to adoption. We will do our best to help you find the program that is the best fit for your family.