Heart Gallery of the Panhandle Plains works across the state to find positive permanency for Texas children.

Each day, more than 6,000 children in the Texas foster care system are waiting to be adopted and find a permanent place to call home. Heart Galleries tell a child’s story through photographs capturing the spirit, individuality, interests, and unique needs of each child. This helps connect children to caring families and community networks. Since 2014, over 400 children featured in the Heart Gallery of Central Texas have been adopted. As a result, the Central Texas adoption rate has been an average of 22% higher than the rest of Texas year-over-year for the past decade.

Heart Galleries of Texas supports expansion of this model throughout the state. By the end of 2023, each region in Texas will have a Heart Gallery. We’re also increasing community awareness about the needs of families formed through adoption, kinship, and guardianship. Our hope is to decrease the number of children raised in systems by increasing support for families.

Meet the kids

Our Commitment to Youth & Best Practice

At Heart Gallery of the Panhandle Plains, we recognize the deep responsibility entrusted to us as we share the stories and portraits of children and youth in foster care. Every image, every narrative, and every moment of connection is approached with intentional care that honors the dignity, safety, and individuality of the young people we serve.

We are committed to ethical storytelling and trauma-informed practices in every interaction. Our goal is never to sensationalize a child’s experience, but to celebrate their strengths, personality, and hope for connection. Through thoughtful photography and storytelling, we seek to cultivate understanding, inspire community engagement, and create meaningful pathways toward permanency.

Heart Gallery of the Panhandle Plains remains dedicated to ethical engagement, compassionate advocacy, and safeguarding the well-being of every child and youth whose story we are privileged to share.

For more information, visit > https://heartgallerytexas.org/commitment-to-youth/