Mission

TO BRING AWARENESS TO NEW MEXICO'S FOSTER CHILDREN AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR ADOPTION AS A POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR FAMILIES; TO SERVE CHILDREN IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE HEART GALLERY EXHIBITIONS, BY PROVIDING BENEFITS AND EXPERIENCE OFTEN DEPRIVED TO THESE CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THEIR LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Programs

FOSTER CHILD SUPPORT: PROMOTE A SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR YOUTH WHO, STILL WITH NO FAMILY, "AGE OUT" OF THE SYSTEM AT 18-21 BY HELPING THEM ACCESS EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND LIFE-SKILLS COUNSELING TO ENSURE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. IN ADDITION TO INSURE THAT TEEN, PRE-TEENS, SIBLING GROUPS, AND MILDLY DISABLED FOSTER CHILDREN RECEIVE OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND IMPROVED MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.;HEART GALLERY EXHIBITIONS: ASSURE AN INCREASE IN "HARD-TO-PLACE" ADOPTIONS BY ASSISTING CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT HEART GALLERY PROGRAM. THESE EXHIBITIONS OF FOSTER-CHILD PORTRAITS ARE TAKEN BY NEW MEXICAN PHOTOGRAPHERS AS A CREATIVE WAY TO ENCOURAGE ADOPTION AND TOUR THE STATE ANNUALLY.;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.;GENERAL PROGRAMS: ADVANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS TO ENCOURAGE ADOPTION/FOSTER PARENTING, CONVEY THE REALITY OF LIFE AS A FOSTER CHILD, AND TO DISSOLVE THE MYTHS AND FEARS OF ADOPTION BY USING POSITIVE ROLE-MODELS OF SUCCESS AND THE REALITY OF LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES.