In this episode we interview Maria McCord, a Collaborative Family Engagement Coach for Texas CASA. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate and their job is to be a voice for children in foster care. Maria became involved in the foster care system when she herself was a child in foster care. You will hear how her story begins with a caring CASA volunteer giving her the information and support she needed and how it has evolved into a career full of making a difference within the system. If her story inspires you to get involved, consider becoming a CASA volunteer!

Texas CASA - https://texascasa.org/

Become a CASA - https://texascasa.org/become-a-casa/

Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/

Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/

Kate Yanof - Arrow Foster Parent Recruiter

In this episode, we interview Kate Yanof, a foster parent recruiter for Arrow Child & Family Ministries. Her life experiences with foster care and adoption drive her passion for the work she does and what she plans to do within the foster system in the future. Kate is such a joy to talk to and has such a drive to make a difference. If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, she has information you will need and would love to get you connected!

Kate with Arrow - Kate.Yanof@arrow.org

Arrow Child & Family Ministries - https://arrow.org/

Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/

Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/

In this episode we interview Hannah Rucker with KVUE news. She is the amazing face you see each week on the Forever Families segment. The Forever Families segment is focused on youth in foster care who need adoptive homes. Each week, Hannah interviews one of these youths in an effort to find that permanent home for them. Hannah's heart is so big and you will love hearing her passion behind everything she does. We are huge fans of Hannah and I know you will be too after this episode!

Forever Families - https://www.kvue.com/foreverfamilies

Hannah Rucker - https://www.instagram.com/hannahruckertv/?hl=en

Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/

Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/

In this episode we interview Whitney Bates, the founder and executive director of Bates Mission. Bates Mission focuses on supporting former foster youth in Texas with resources for their household necessities, life skills training, job opportunities, and more. Whitney’s heart for these young adults has grown through her own life experiences and watching the generosity and lifestyle of her parents growing up. Whitney has so much passion and drive to help these young adults in any way she can and I know you will love learning about her story with Bates Mission.

Bates Mission: https://batesmission.org/

Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com

Foster Community (foster care and adoption resources): ⁠www.fostercommunity.org

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/

Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/

In this episode we interview Chrystal Smith, the founder and CEO of Foster Village. This is a non-profit founded out of Austin that supports and serves local foster families. You will hear about her inspiration for starting this non-profit and how it is growing to support foster families across the nation. You will love Chrystal’s heart and thought behind everything that she does.

Foster Village Austin: https://www.fostervillageaustin.org/

Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com

Foster Community: https://fostercommunity.org/

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/

Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/

In this episode we interview Yareli, an adoptions case worker for DFPS. Yareli has been a case worker for 9 years, 7 of those being in the adoptions unit. She has walked side by side with children in foster care from first contact all the way to reunification or adoption. Join us for an inside look of the day to day as a CPS case worker with Yareli.

Heart Gallery of Central Texas: www.heartgallerytexas.com

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/

Foster Community (foster care and adoption resources): www.fostercommunity.org

In this episode we interview Ali, a motivated and caring 14 year old who has spent nearly half of her life in foster care. Ali loves sports and is driven to do well in school to secure her future. She has goals to have a career that makes a difference in other people’s lives since so many people have made a difference in hers. The big thing Ali is missing from her life is an adoptive family who will love her and support her through everything.

Ali’s Heart Gallery Profile: https://partnershipsforchildren.org/heartgallery/alissandra/

Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/

Foster Community (Foster care and adoption resources): www.fostercommunity.org

In this episode we interview Katherine Squires, a proud Baylor graduate who was adopted from foster care as a toddler. Katherine had a hard childhood, even after adoption, and once she was separated from her older sister, she had to navigate life on her own. Unfortunately, every adoption story is not all sunshine but you will hear how Katherine persevered and became her own best advocate, which lead her to attending and graduating from her dream college, where she studied to have a career helping children who were just like her.

Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com

Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/

Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/