About Us

Dawn Degenhardt
Founder and Executive Director

Dawn Degenhardt has been dedicated to bringing children and families together through adoption for more than 30 years. While living in Cleveland, Ohio, she co-founded the Ohio chapter of COAC (Council on Adoptable Children) and was a pioneer in changing the foster care/adoption system. Dawn also co-founded Spaulding of Beechbrook, which is still in existence today placing special needs children. After moving back to her home state of Maine, she founded an internationally recognized adoption agency, which has placed more than 4,000 children. Dawn's concern for children still in orphanages around the world prompted the development of many humanitarian aid projects. Wanting to devote her energy to this issue after retirement, Dawn, with family and friends, created The Degenhardt Foundation. Dawn and her husband Ed are the parents of nine adopted children, now grown with their own families. To read more about Dawn, see our Press section.

Joy My Lien Degenhardt
Director - Vietnam Programs

Joy My Lien Degenhardt came to the United States in 1972 as an adopted child of Ed and Dawn Degenhardt. She grew up in Houlton, Maine and graduated from the University of Hawaii. In 1992, she returned to Vietnam with her mother to visit “her”orphanage. Overwhelmed with the desire to help other Vietnamese children in need, she directed the creation of an adoption and humanitarian aid program which continues today. Joy has successfully initiated and personally overseen many humanitarian projects for orphans, ill and handicapped people, and victims of natural disasters. Joy now lives in Vietnam, is fluent in Vietnamese and is the mother of three girls (one adopted). Joy’s role in The Degenhardt Foundation is to continue the humanitarian aid projects and develop new ones. For more about Joy, see our Press section.

Marilyn Roper
Assistant to the Executive Director

Marilyn volunteers in numerous capacities throughout the community of Houlton, Maine. She is educated in archaeology and has continued her education in many areas such as astronomy, history and geology. In 1999 she and her husband were awarded the Community Champion Adult Good Samaritans Award from the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Houlton. Before retirement, Marilyn was coordinator of the War or Peace: 1976 Project, University of Pennsylvania museum, directed by Buckminster Fuller. She was also coadministrator of the International Classroom Program in Philadelphia. Dedicated to peace in the home, community and world, Marilyn lives her beliefs in all that she does. Her children and grandchildren live in the Bangor, Maine area.

Wanda Powers
Accountant

Wanda has been working in bookkeeping and accounting for the past 40 years. She graduated from high school in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada and relocated to Maine in 1963 where she studied accounting in college. Wanda and her husband have five children and ten grandchildren. She states, "To volunteer my services to The Degenhardt Foundation is a privilege, and I appreciate the wonderful learning experience it will allow me."

Robyn M. Smith
Web Design

Robyn is the one who puts this site together and takes care of various technical and graphic issues for us. She brings her valuable, eclectic experience to the Degenhardt Foundation. Among her careers are 10 years with the U.S. Air Force, counselor, photographer, artist, desktop publishing, and office management. Her personal projects include Picture This Photo Art, Dubbah Design and Silvana Cenci - The Dynomite Lady.

Copyright 2006, The Degenhardt Foundation | 501(c)3 All contributions tax deductible | design by Robyn Smith

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