RALEIGH, N.C. — Credit unions in five different states are working toward a nationwide effort to shine a spotlight on foster care and adoption.
Pima Federal Credit Union in Arizona, Peach State Federal Credit Union in Georgia, Greenville Federal Credit Union in South Carolina and TNConnect Credit Union in Tennessee are seeking to launch Heart Gallery projects in their respective states similar to State Employees’ Credit Union’s in North Carolina, which is currently underway in partnership with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
A Heart Gallery is a traveling photographic exhibit created to give foster children who are eligible for adoption a greater chance of finding permanent families by displaying their professional portraits, according to SECU. Gallery displays typically include biographies of each child, along with foster and adoptive parenting information, creating awareness and increased exposure to potential adoptive parents for youth who desperately need and want a family they can call their own. Nearly all states have existing Heart Galleries to assist credit unions across the country with similar projects.
“Pima Federal Credit Union plans to partner with Arizona’s Department of Child Safety to aid in the mission of finding stable and permanent homes for our state’s foster youth. Recent foster care statistics reveal that nearly 17,000 Arizona children are in out-of-home care and thousands never achieve permanency through adoption,” said Pima FCU President/CEO Nathanael Tarwasokono in a statement. “The credit union’s involvement is simple and straightforward, but the results for these foster youth can be life-changing.”
“We hope to make a positive difference for Georgia’s foster children through Heart Gallery participation in all branch locations,” added Peach State Federal Credit Union President/CEO Marshall Boutwell. “Our digital displays will give these youth much-needed exposure to help them connect with a permanent family, while bringing a greater awareness to foster care and adoption.”
Linda Childs, president/CEO of TNConnect Credit Union adds, “Foster care has always held a special place in my heart and I am thrilled to have TNConnect Credit Union support an effort that may bring families to children who desperately need and want the stability of a nurturing home. We look forward to launching Heart Gallery displays in Tennessee very soon!”