Archive: October 28, 2022

Forever Family Friday – Dominique

October 28, 2022

Every child deserves to grow up safe and loved and protected from neglect and abuse. Sadly that is just not the case for so many. My hope each Friday is that someone will see my post and be brave and bold and be led to open their hearts and homes to a child that is longing to be loved and feel safe and wanted. We need families that can provide stability and love for kids that so desperately need it. So as Halloween is quickly approaching and as we are thinking about trick or treating and we’re planning and prepping and purchasing costumes and parties and decorations… I hope and pray that we can treat the kids in foster care the way they deserve and should be treated. They deserve Halloween fun and love and kindness and stability and structure…they deserve a family! Please allow me to introduce you to Dominique. She needs us!

 Dominique is 12 years old and lives in Alabama. She enjoys singing, dancing, cooking and journaling. If she could plan the perfect day she would go on a drive with the windows down and listen to music! She enjoys the beach and the pool and likes to swim. Math is this 7th graders favorite subject. When Dominique grows up she would like to be a Neurosurgeon so that she can help save peoples lives! WOW! When asked what makes her smile she said when she “notices or sees that someone is caring for me or loving me.” That is just heart breaking. Can we PLEASE help make Dominque smile!? Can you help?

For more information please contact [email protected] Photo by Colorbox Photographers

Click here for Dominique’s video
https://heartgalleryalabama.com/profile/domnique-j/ 

VIEW DOMINIQUES WISH LIST

#Adoption
#FosterCare
#ForeverFamilyFriday
#TrickorTreat
#Family

Forever Family Friday – Malachi

October 21, 2022

Happy Forever Family Friday y’all!! Can I just take a minute this week and answer one of the most common asked questions that we get…What is the first thing we need to do to adopt or how do we get started or what’s the first thing that needs to happen? You get the drift. Everyone words it slightly different but the road always leads to getting started. So let me jump right in and tell you it’s fairly easy. The very first thing you will have to do is to get your home study done. You can set this up several different ways. Then there will be an application process and paperwork to fill out. Next you will have visits to your home and some classes to take. You may now be thinking… whew…that’s a lot and seems drawn out and time consuming.” Well anything worth something takes time and effort! And these kids are WORTH a little of your time and effort! Each state is different so we have resources for you on our foundation’s website to point you in the right direction. (link is in my bio). Remember there is no financial cost involved to adopt out of foster care!  The main requirements are a little of your time and the opening of your heart and your home! I have faith all of you can do this. Please let me share with you one child who is so so WORTH the time and effort!

Malachi, better known as Chi, is 15 years old and lives in South Carolina. He can be adopted in any state just like all the other kids we share. He enjoys drawing and painting and his favorite color is red. Chi would describe himself as talented and thoughtful. He also likes being active and jumping on the trampoline. Chi is an amazing kid that would like a forever family. That’s not too much to ask. Can you help us? For more information please contact Taylor Brown 843-953-9249. Photo by Amy.

#Adoption
#FosterCare
#ForeverFamilyFriday
#WorthIt
#Family








Forever Family Friday – Zahkia

October 14, 2022

As many of you know we post a good amount of kids that are at risk of aging out of foster care. It breaks my heart. However, I am hopeful that together we can change their future. If I could just get all of my followers to be advocates for theses kid for 15 minutes a week and help us spread the word about who they are…what they like…what they dream of doing. Just that alone would be a game changer. To have conversations with your friends and family about the kids that we post each week would be even more helpful than I think you could imagine. The older kids’ statistics are dire. These kids face tough odds. The cards are stacked against them. Can you spare them 15 minutes if your time. I promise you it will be time well spent. 

Please meet Zahkia! She is 15 years old and lives in Florida. Her personality shines bright and her presence warms up the room. This beautiful lady is caring, loving and resilient. She enjoys drawing and excels in math. She wants to be a math teacher when she grows up! We need more of you Zahkia! If she could be any super hero she would choose Superwoman and be able to fly. She likes listening to music especially rap and pop. Zahkia needs the support of a loving and committed family. Can you help? Can you be that family for Zahkia? Can you give her 15 minutes of your time? Your consideration is greatly appreciate! ❤️

For more information please contact Heart Gallery of Tampa at 813-314-2021

Photo by Nicole Park Photography

#Adoption
#FosterCare
#ForeverFamilyFriday
#Graduation
#Love





Forever Family Friday – Deandre

October 7, 2022

Aging out. Emancipated. On you own. Figure it out. Expiration date. Where will I go? What will I do? How will I pay the bills? How will I survive? 

These are all words and phrases that are very real to a child in foster care, especially at the age of 17. To no fault of their own, they have no mom, dad or permanent home. And in just a short year or two they are left to figure out life, by themselves. Which is so hard for many of you reading this to grasp. To me it is as if they are kicked to the curb. I truly believe that every young person deserves to go through life knowing they have a caring adult by their side. Unfortunately, every year roughly 20,000 plus youth hear those above phrases. They never get that bonding and permanent connection to a caring adult or family. Please stop just a minute and let me introduce you to Deandre. We can help him not be just another statistic! We can help him from becoming part of the 20,000 plus kids that “age out” of the system each year.  

Deandre is 17 years old and lives in Alabama. Fall is his favorite season! He is friendly and open to talking to anyone. He enjoys going to school and being involved in football, basketball and wrestling. Science and English are his favorite subjects. He enjoys playing video games in his spare time. If given the opportunity to plan a day for himself, he would choose to go shoe shopping and eat, especially hot wings. Three words he would use to describe himself are funny, nice and athletic. Something that he is proud of is trying to put himself in a better situation. Please help us find Deandre his #ForeverFamily. Thank You! ❤️

For more information please contact [email protected]

Click here for Deandre’s video

#Adoption
#FosterCare
#Emancipated
#AgingOut
#FosterCare


Forever Family Friday – Lillieanna and Malachi

October 3, 2022

Happy Friday everyone! I get many questions each week from you guys. Let me see if I can address one of the most commonly asked ones. Can the kids we post be adopted in a different state from where they currently reside? Yes! The children we share each week are able to be adopted outside of their home state. We do try our best, along with the agencies and case workers, to share children who have that flexibility. The system is not perfect, but people we typically deal with are working hard to get it right because these children are worth it! Foster care is extremely fluid. A child may be in the care of foster parents one day and then with no notice at all they are moved elsewhere. I’ve tried to make sense of the foster care system for years because there are many in it for the wrong reasons and the system is flawed. If I get burdened with all the negativity then we will be of no help to these kids at all. I can only imagine the uncertainty and confusion this must cause children if it causes me so much anxiety. I firmly believe we just must do whatever we can and don’t give up! They deserve better. Thank you for continuing to journey with us, and for continuing to pray and fight for these kids. Please allow me to introduce you to a brother and sister that melt my heart. We can’t give up because they need us.

Lillieanna and Malachi live in TN. Malachi is 8 years old and is a very eager little brother who loves to do everything with his sister. Lillieanna is 11, and loves to play but also loves her space. I can relate as I have a little brother! Together they like to ride bikes and play outside.

Malachi likes sports, zip lines, trampolines, and motorcycle rides. He loves music and singing along. He would like to be a pilot someday. Lillieanna likes unicorns, basketball, football, and shopping – ME TOO! She is inquisitive, honest and has a bubbly personality. She does well in school and enjoys making new friends. This sibling pair would do best in a family with lots of patience and love to give. Lillieannna wants a family who will enroll her in sports, has an active life style and a home with pets. Please contact AmericasKidsBelong.org or DM us for more info! ❤️

Please click here to see their video!

#Adoption
#FosterCare
#Love
#ForeverFamilyFriday
#Siblings