The Heart Gallery Of New Mexico Foundation

Programs: Foster child support: this program promotes a safe and productive transition to independent living for youth who "age out" of the foster care system at 18-21. The organization helps them access education, employment and life skills, and counseling to ensure a sustainable future. Also, the organization helps teens, pre-teens, sibling groups and mildly disabled foster children receive opportunities and services for personal growth, as well as improved mental & physical health, by providing assistance in the form of braces, field trips, cultural involvement, etc.

heart gallery exhibitions: these exhibitions are to assure an increase in "hard to place" adoptions by assisting the new mexico children, youth and families department heart gallery program. These exhibitions display portraits of foster-children taken by new mexican photographers as a creative way to encourage adoption. The portraits (with the necessary viewing equipment) tour the state annually.

general programs & public awareness: this program strives to 1) advance public awareness and encourage adoption and foster parenting; 2) convey the reality of life as a foster child; and 3) dissolve the myths and fears of adoption by using positive role models of success and relaying life changing positive opportunities.

heart gallery events: four social events are conducted annually with the goals of 1) matching foster children released for adoption and cyfd-approved adoptive parents with the hope of finding that special attachment; 2) offering a unique social opportunity for foster children; 3) thanking current foster parents; and 4) providing siblings who are living apart an opportunity to spend a day together