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Dear Friends & Supporters:
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Click here to visit our website and hear the voices of the children.
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Heart Gallery Alabama Exhibit moves to Huntsville for Foster Care Awareness Month!
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The Heart Gallery is currently on display at The Rock Family Worship Center in Huntsville until May 26th. The closing reception and adoption information session will be on the 26th at 5:45pm. Come celebrate Foster Care Awareness Month with us and learn more about the beautiful waiting children in Alabama's foster care system. You just might be the forever family they've been waiting for!
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Rocky & Kayla Meet their Forever Family
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After 25 years of marriage, David and Miranda Woodard have finally found the children they have been waiting for! When they first married and discovered they would not be able to have children on their own, the Woodards thought that maybe children just weren't in their future. But finally in February of 2008, they felt God speaking to them about adoption and decided to look into it.
They were visited by an APAC worker on Good Friday of that year and she discussed the adoption process with them. They went to work quickly, attending the necessary classes and trainings to make them the best parents they could be for a very special child or children.
Then on August 13th they received an e-mail from a fellow prospective adoptive family. In it was a link to the photo and bio of Rocky and Kayla.
"I saw them and read their bio and they just fit us so perfectly," says Miranda. The children had had lots of inquiries, however, and so the Woodards began to worry that maybe it wouldn't work out. But, in September of that year, they got the call they had been waiting for. They had been accepted as a match for Rocky and Kayla."Of course my first question was 'When can we meet?'...It was so overwhelming, I had to lay down," recalls Miranda when she first heard the news.On October 4th Rocky and Kayla met the Woodards for the first time. The kids asked to go to Chuck E Cheese, which Miranda says was "way too much stimulation for adults." Then they went to the park to play some more. Miranda and David both got a bit nervous with 5-year-old Kayla on the monkey bars, but Kayla told them, "Don't worry Mom, Dad will catch me if I fall." LIttle Kayla already knew that the Woodards were hers and that they would be there to protect her. They visited each other for the next few weeks until finally, on October 20th, they officially became a family. "I was nervous at first," says Miranda, but she says that the kids are doing great. They love school, and both children are either on or above their grade school levels. Thanksgiving and Christmas were filled with the gifts of family, including meeting their grandmother ("Nanny") for the first time as well as extended family. And for Easter of course, an Easter egg hunt...  Congratulations Woodard family!
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Meet Antwaun
Photo Credit: Leah Shaw
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Antwaun, born February 2001 is a very charming and energetic child with
brown eyes, wavy brown hair and medium complexion. He is a very loving
child and likes to please others. He loves attention but also plays
well alone. He is able to follow directions and help pick up his toys,
comb his hair and brush his teeth. He loves to play outside and ride
his bike. He also enjoys playing ball, running around and watching
cartoons. His favorites characters are Spiderman, Power Rangers, Batman
and Bob the Builder. Recently, Antwaun has taken interest in watching
college football and loves the local team.
Antwaun enjoys art projects and story telling activities. He is
very creative and has a good memory. Antwaun gets along with adults and
older children but tends to be overly competitive for attention with
children his own age and younger. Therefore, he would do best in a home
where he is the only child or the youngest child. He needs a lot of
structure in a home, but most of all he needs a lot of love.
To inquire about Antwaun or any of our Heart Gallery Children please visit them on our website and compete the inquiry form under their portrait.
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Meet Luke
Photo Credit: Angela Karen
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Luke was born in September 1996 and is a very sweet young man. He is
very interested in football and enjoys playing this sport. He has
participated in little league football and baseball in the past. Luke
also enjoys hunting, fishing and singing.
Luke relates well to male role models and enjoys doing "man
things". He is fascinated with the local police and has expressed an
interest in being a policeman when he grows up. Luke also enjoys being
with friends as friends are very important to him and he makes friends
easily.
Luke is active in his school and enjoys going to school and
participating in all school functions including parties and field
trips. He recently saw the ocean for the first time and greatly enjoyed
the sand and the waves. Luke enjoys video games and movies. He is not
interested in T.V. programs but loves watching DVD's.
When asked about his idea of a perfect family he said, someone "who will love me and take care of me forever."
To inquire about Luke or any of our Heart Gallery Children please visit them on our
website and complete the inquiry form under their portrait.
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Meet Joseph, Rebecca & Jennifer
Photo Credit: Angela Karen
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Rebecca born July 1996 is the oldest of the sibling group and is very
nurturing and protective of her younger siblings. Rebecca is soft
spoken, shy, and easy going. Rebecca excels in school. She has been
tested for the gifted program.
Jennifer & Joseph were born in June 1997 and have a very strong bond as they share everything that they do.
Jennifer is very outgoing, full of questions, and eager to learn
new things. Jennifer has vision impairments and requires prescription
eyeglasses at all times.
Joseph is very athletic, competitive, and loves adventure. Jennifer
and Joseph require eyeglasses when reading. All three children are very
close and stand up for each other. Jennifer and Joseph are maintaining
good grades in school.
These children are very energetic and never have a dull moment.
To inquire about Joseph, Rebecca & Jennifer or any of our Heart Gallery Children please visit them on our
website and complete the inquiry form under their portrait.
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Meet Sierra
Photo Credit: Stephanie Fisher
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Sierra was born in September of 1995. She is a bright and funny young
lady. She is shy when getting to know a person but it does not take
long for her to open up. She is in the eighth grade and performs well
academically. She says that lunch is her favorite subject. Sierra
enjoys going to church, shopping, and watching scary movies. She loves
gymnastics and flipping on a trampoline. She is very helpful around the
house.
Sierra would like to be a social worker or a foster parent when she
grows up so that she can help other children like her foster parent has
helped her.
Sierra is learning to appropriately handle difficult situations and
has made great strides in this area. She gets along well with other
children and would be very nurturing to younger siblings. She is
excited about adoption and is looking forward to finding a forever home.
To inquire about Sierra or any of our Heart Gallery Children please visit them on our
website and complete the inquiry form under their portrait.
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HGA would like to thank all of our
sponsors and supporters:
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Suzanne Ashe
Burke Harvey & Frankowski
Cole Foundation
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Extra Space Storage
Dr. & Mrs. James Krell
Lincoln Financial Foundation
Liz McCormick
Medallion Foundation
Nick's Kids
Greg & Bryna Rapp
RDS/Alatax
Pamela Ruttenberg
Southland International Trucking
Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology
White Arnold & Dowd, P.C.
Wolnek Family Foundation
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Thank You Photographers!
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We could not do what we do without the time and
support given by our amazing photographers.
Your time and talents are indispensable and we appreciate you so much!
If you are interested in becoming a Heart Gallery Photographer, please e-mail jessica@heartgalleryalabama.com.
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How to Contact the Heart Gallery of Alabama:
1801 Oxmoor Road, Suite 101
Birmingham, AL 35209
205.445.1293
info@heartgalleryalabama.com
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The Heart Gallery of Alabama success depends on YOU! If you want to learn more about the children we feature or to hear their voices go to our website by clicking on our logo. Not everyone is able to bring a child into their home, but you can still make a difference by making a tax-deductible donation to the Heart Gallery of AL directly from our website.
If you would like the exhibit to come to your city, please call us at 205.445.1293 or email info@heartgalleryalabama.com.
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