By Tawny Davis
April 14th 2025
SAN ANTONIO — The Heart Gallery, is working tirelessly to help children in the Texas foster care system find their forever homes.
With the number of children in foster care growing rapidly, the Heart Gallery’s photo exhibit tells the stories of these children, hoping to connect them with permanent families.
Officials from the organization reported that there are over 4,000 children in the Texas foster care system. In the region that includes Bexar County, nearly 200 children are seeking permanent homes. Last year, Texas saw almost 870 children age out of the system without an adoptive family or support system.
The Heart Gallery steps in to support children throughout the adoption process, providing after-adoption care such as counseling services, mentorship, and support systems for those who age out. Officials emphasized the importance of supporting families once they bring a new child into their home. A tuition and fee waiver is also offered to help these children pursue higher education, potentially even a master’s degree.
Juan Reyna, interim director of the Heart Gallery, said, “It is a lot for them. You know, you got these, you got these children that been through a lot, you know, they’ve been through several foster homes, some of them probably have been in a shelter. And so they need that therapy. They need that help. They need that mentor.”
The photo gallery plays a crucial role in the adoption process, allowing potential families to get to know the children through their own writing, making it easier for permanent homes to be established. The Heart Gallery in San Antonio is currently displayed inside North Star Mall. For more information about the Heart Gallery, click here.
Source: News4SA