Partners

Beginning in 2001, New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) organized photographic exhibitions as a creative way to encourage the adoption of foster children. Annually, New Mexican photographers capture the personalities of 60-80 “hard to place” foster children. The Heart Gallery then organizes traveling and permanent exhibitions of these photographs where these children and potential adoptive parents can meet and interact. Dozens of children have been adopted through this exhibition program.

Since the first Heart Gallery exhibition in Santa Fe in 2001, the photographic exhibition concept has been replicated in 46 states, 80 cities, and 4 countries and covered extensively by national media. In 2006 the Heart Gallery of New Mexico Foundation was founded to promote the adoption of foster children by supporting and expanding Heart Gallery exhibitions and supplemental services. and expand the mission. For Heart Gallery information, contact: Diane Granito at 505-476-1045.

We have long recognized a need for the foster children we serve to have additional positive, adult role models in their lives. Since CASAs need to remain impartial voices in the eyes of the court, it is difficult for us to fulfill a true mentoring role for these kids. Luckily, we have a wonderful partner in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico. Through our partnership, CASA helps identify children who will benefit most from adult mentors and facilitates their enrollment as “Littles.” BBBS then selects a well-matched volunteer adult mentor (a “Big”) for each child. CASA also shares important information on changes in custody and addresses to ensure a continuing stable and consistent relationship between the child and the mentor.