Visit the Heart Gallery
Sundays January 8th & 15th
in the Fellowship Hall and
outside Wesley Hall 

In North Texas there are approximately 4,000 children in foster care. They are living with temporary foster families because they were abused or neglected in their own homes. Some of those children will be able to return home after their family receives some education and support services, some of them will go to live with a relative. About 1000 of these children will never be able to return home. They will remain in foster care and hope for a "forever" family. If they turn 18 and have not been adopted, they will "age-out" of foster care with no family to help them, love them or advise them. The statistics are grim regarding their outcomes. Many will turn to drugs, alcohol or prostitution. Many will become parents, ill-equipped for parenting. Some will become incarcerated or homeless. 

"Five years ago I brought the Heart Gallery to HPUMC. One of the pictures in the exhibit was a handsome young man who had saved up his money to buy the bright orange shirt he wore in his picture. He hoped that someone would see what a nice young man he was and want to adopt him. Sadly, he never got his 'forever' family and he 'aged-out' of foster care about 18 months ago. He spent his last Christmas at The Bridge (Dallas' homeless assistance center)."  ~ Penny Cook

How Can You Help?

• Help restore the dignity of a child in crisis. Community Partners of Dallas provides resources and support to the caseworkers of Child Protective Services. They have several programs that provide a variety of opportunities to get involved.
• Is there room in your heart, your home, your family to foster or adopt or to provide respite care for another family who is fostering?
• Consider becoming a child's voice in court. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) trains volunteers to work with the children, their families, the courts and the child welfare system to help these children find safe, permanent loving homes. An advocate can play a vital role in speaking up for the best interests of the child.
• Did someone in your life encourage you? Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC) provides support for young people who have not been adopted and who will transition out of the foster care system when they turn 18. Help guide a young person to see their potential and recognize their strengths by becoming a TRAC mentor.
• Make a financial contribution (below) to help the Heart Gallery continue this important ministry.

For more information, email Penny Cook at pennytcook@sbcglobal.net.