Meet The Team
Chris Wirt, LCSW-C
Branch Director - Crofton
Chris has over 25 years’ experience providing child welfare services including direct practice, supervision, teaching, training, and program management. He also spent 25 years in youth ministry where he served at various local churches in staff and volunteer roles. Chris earned his master’s degree in social work and holds a clinical social work license in both Maryland and Virginia. He has been a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2018. He loves to spend time with his family, long-distance running, and all kinds of outdoor adventures.
Melissa Martin, LCSW-C
Assistant Branch Director - Crofton
Melissa oversees the domestic and foster care adoption programs, pregnancy counseling services, and home study and post-release services programs. She has a master’s in social work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Prior to joining Bethany, she worked in a variety of settings including group homes, an independent living program, treatment foster care, and Safe Families for Children (SFFC). Melissa is passionate about supporting families and birthparents through their adoption journey. She has witnessed the power of God’s love and the difference a forever family can have on a child.
Maria Renaut Arevalo
Home Study and Post Release Service Supervisor - Richmond
Maria provides services to the Latino community through the HS/PRS program and has been working to help the migrant population for over eight years. As an immigrant herself, Maria has focused on providing services to the community while also being able to educate them during the transitional period. A psychology graduate from UMBC, she began her career in the field of immigration, working with adults at BI Inc. She later focused on helping migrant minors and worked as a shelter reunification case manager, before becoming a home study/post-release services specialist with Bethany Christian Services in 2023.
Karla Orellana
Home Study and Post Release Services Case Manager - Richmond
Karla is a combo case manager in Post Release Services. She graduated from ECPI University and became an immigration case specialist. Karla started at Bethany in October 2022, has been grateful for the opportunity and has provided respectful quality services to her clients. Karla is always willing to learn from her peers and clients.
Dory Zimermann
Post Release Case Manager - Richmond
Dory is a case manager in Post Release Services. After seven years of experience as a case manager at a homeless services provider and graduating with her Master of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University, she was ready to do something new. Since starting at Bethany in June 2023, Dory has been grateful for the opportunity to work alongside families and provide support as they work towards their goals in a new environment.
Heather Tate
Adoption Specialist - Richmond
Heather is the adoption specialist and post-adoption worker in Virginia. She has a bachelor's degree in social work and started her career partnering with adults and their families in an assistant living facility as their active social worker. From there she spent many years in education, working with preschool aged children and their families in the private sector. From leading her students in the classroom, to leading her staff as an administrator, and continuing to partner with families, Heather has a strong passion for providing the best possible outcome for children and their families. She strongly believes in the values, vision, and faith Bethany stands on and was excited to join the Bethany family in 2024. When she is not working, Heather loves to spend quality time with her husband and two children.
Ashley Pleasants
Quality Assurance and Intake Coordinator - Richmond
Ashley is the local quality assurance and intake coordinator for the Post Release Services (PRS) program in Virginia. She is responsible for maintaining efficient intake operations within the PRS team as well as supporting the team's adherence to standards of documentation, completion accuracy, and deadline compliance. She has been with Bethany Christian Services since March 2020 and has worked in various roles and programs before joining the HS/PRS team in October 2022. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in counselor education from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Kelly Grein
Intervention Specialist - Richmond
Kelly is the intervention specialist serving clients in Post Release Services. Kelly has her Master of Social Work and is registered as a supervisee in social work with the Virginia Board of Social Work. Kelly started working with Bethany Christian Services in 2020 and has continued to provide respectful quality services to her clients. She believes in empowering her clients to achieve their goals and independence.
Audrey Spaulding
Office Manager - Richmond
Audrey started with Bethany as a volunteer board member in June 2003. That same year she joined the staff as a secretary. Audrey is currently the office manager overseeing the Virginia administrative staff, and managing day to day administrative needs.
Brenda Vickers
Administrative Assistant - Richmond
Brenda has been the administrative assistant since April 2012. On any given day, Brenda is at the front desk waiting to greet clients and guests—assisting anyone who enters our doors. She loves the fact that she gets to meet new families with their adopted children. Brenda has her certificate in early childhood education and manages the office in its daily operations.
