One Accord for Kids, a community development organization dedicated to supporting the West Texas foster system, celebrated the expansion of the Heart Gallery of West Texas with a launch event on April 22.
According to an April 23 release from The Heart Gallery of West Texas, 101 portraits and stories of children awaiting adoption were portrayed at the event. Remarks from guests were given, including Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott and leadership from One Accord for Kids.
"We were excited to launch the Heart Gallery of West Texas in 2021 at the request of our community,” said Executive Director of One Accord for Kids Brandon Logan in the release. “We are grateful to First Lady Abbott, the Texas Women's Commission, and others who have expanded our reach locally and statewide through the Heart Gallery of Texas initiative."
Heart Gallery programs aim to increase community awareness about the needs of families formed through adoption, kinship, and guardianship and to decrease the number of children raised in systems by increasing support for families, according to the Heart Galleries of Texas website.
"Midland and the West Texas communities have great champions who understand the needs of children in this community,” said Director of the Heart Galleries of Texas Kori Gough. “We are excited to bring a Heart Gallery to the community to help tell the stories of children waiting for adoption and reduce the numbers of children in foster care."
The expansion of Heart Gallery programs is supported by funding from the Texas Legislature and has partnered with the Texas Center for Family Studies to establish and support local heart galleries, according to the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services website.
"The Heart Galleries of Texas is dedicated to enhancing communication with local foster care professionals, a crucial step in the ongoing commitment to improve adoption outcomes,” said Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott in the release. “We look forward to the lasting positive impact on adoption outcomes for children and families across the state."