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April
2008
Dec
2007
Nov
2007
Oct
2007
Sept
2007
December
2006
10/26/06 |
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A
Match Party for families in the
process of adoption and CPS caseworkers will be held at Walnut Creek Metro
Park,
12138 North Lamar, from 4 to 7 pm., on April 24, 2008. RSVP your agency by
April 11th. (More information)
The Ninth Annual "A Home for the Holidays"
Television
Special
presented by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and
Children's Action Network. On CBS Friday, December 21, 2007 at 7 p.m.
CST(Website.
More information)
Foster Care and Adoption Information Meeting
at the Old Quarry Library,
7051 Village Center Dr., 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Call Renee Sasson at 512-687-3208 if you have any questions.
Foster Care Adoption Expo
at
George Washington Carver Library, 1161 Angelina St.,
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (more
information)
"Just Between Friends" Special Consignment Sale -Benefiting the
Adoption Coalition of Texas!, October
11 - 13, 2007 (Fri. 9 - 6; Sat. 7 - 11:30 am), Westlake Bible Church, 9300 Bee
Caves Rd (between Hwys 360 & 71)
(more
information; coupons)
"Just Between Friends" Special Consignment Sale -Benefiting the
Adoption Coalition of Texas!,
September 21 - 23, 2007 (Sat. 9 - 6; Sun. 10 - 3), Crockett Event Center, 10601
N. Lamar
(more
information; coupons)
How does these sales help ACT
out?
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Foster and adoptive families
can shop first at consignment prices before the event opens to the
public.
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The Adoption Coalition of
Texas will have materials and volunteers present the majority of the
weekend to talk about foster care and adoption.
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Check us out on 94.7
Saturday, between 1pm and 4pm - Mix 94.7 is doing a live remote from the
venue.
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All items not sold will be
donated to the Adoption Coalition of Texas after the event and
distributed among foster and adoptive families.
If you want to learn more about
adoption, or want to shop at discount prices, come on out!
The 2007 Heart Gallery of Texas Photo Exhibit Premiere and Gala,
September 6, 2007, 6:30 pm
at SPAZIO by Lytle Pressley, 1214 W. 6th St., 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25. (more
information)
Heart
Gallery VIP Day – Planned by CASA of Travis County, the Heart Gallery VIP
Day, held December 2, 2006 honored the children in the Heart Gallery
photographs. Over 30 kids showed up with their foster parents, CASAs and/or case
workers and enjoyed a day at the museum and were able to view their portraits,
many for the first time.
Lisa Reed is honored at the Austin City Council Meeting December 14, 2006
for her volunteer work with the Adoption Coalition of Texas, and especially The
Heart Gallery of Central Texas project. Thank you Lisa for all that you do.
Thanks to Tina Boyce and Boyce Industries for turning their office
space into Santa’s Wonderland before the holidays! Their help made it possible
for us to coordinate gifts for 60 kids. A special thanks to Tina for
coordinating the whole thing!!
Interested in
adopting?
Interesting in being a foster parent?
Come join us and learn more about the
process and the kids!
Saturday,
November 18, 2006
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Shoreline Christian Center
15201 Burnet Road -- Austin, Texas 78728
(at the top of Mopac)
Information meetings will be held at 11:15 am and again at 1:00 pm.
The Adoption Coalition of Texas and partner agencies (Arrow Project, Child
Protective Services, Lutheran Social Services, Marywood and Pathways) and
representatives from the Council on Adoptable Children (COAC) and the Foster
Parent Association will provide information regarding foster care and adoption.
Caseworkers will be on hand to answer questions and to provide information on
children waiting to be adopted. Current foster and adoptive parents will also be
available to respond to any questions.
For more information, please contact Tracy Eilers at 512-301-2825
or by email at tracyeilers@austin.rr.com.
This event is sponsored by
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| 08/22/05 |
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KVUE News and Olga Campos spread the word about the
Heart Gallery of Central Texas.
Thanks to the combined contributions of many Austin photographers and a local gallery owner, a special photo exhibit is about to open, called "Heart Gallery of Central Texas."
Marzia Brussolo is among 55 local photographers who donated their talents to create portraits of children who are now in state foster care. It's hoped the photos will help the youngsters find adoptive families.
"They are normal children. They're happy children. They're silly," said Brussolo as he describes the photos. "Consuelo, Mari, Jose and Areceli... they actually came to our studio."
"Our whole purpose is to humanize children and bring this issue into the community and hopefully find families for all these kids," said Tracy Eilers, Adoption Coalition of TX
Seventy-five children of different ages appear in the photos. Some have special needs, some are older and several are siblings.
"They're just like any other child - who is innocent and sweet and wants to be happy and wants to be loved," Eilers said.
After following the success of other similar exhibits nationwide, Lytle Pressley of SPAZIO Interiors offered to host the premiere of this Heart Gallery. Even before it opens, some of the children featured in the photos are being considered for adoption by the photographers who took their pictures.
"You know they went out. They thought it was a great thing -- met the kids, hung out with them and now realize maybe they can make a difference as well."
The Heart Gallery opening is Thursday at SPAZIO Interiors, 1214 West 6th Street. It is a joint project of the Adoption Coalition of Texas and CASA of Travis County.
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| 08/19/05 |
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KUT airs a report on the Heart Gallery of Central Texas.
AUSTIN, TX - In March 2001, The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department debuted the first annual Heart Gallery exhibit. It was an exhibit that consisted of professional portraits of children in Foster Care who needed permanent homes. Since then, several states across the Country have created their own Heart Gallery. On Thursday August 25, 2005, The Heart Gallery of Central Texas will be unveiled. KUT's Julie Moody has more...
To hear the details, click HERE.
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| 07/24/05 |
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The Heart Gallery of Central Texas, as reported by News 8 Austin.
Part One of the News 8 Austin Heart Gallery series was shown on June 12, 2005.
Part Two was shown on July 24, 2005.
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| 07/24/05 |
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The Heart Gallery of Central Texas makes news in the Austin American Statesman!
To view this article, please click HERE.
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| 07/14/05 |
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Dr. Phil has started a new series on adoption, including segments on adoption from foster care.
To view these segments or to learn more about this series, please click on the links below.
Adoption Stories
Adoption, Part 1
Adoption, Part 2
Adoption, Part 3
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| 06/30/05 |
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Calendar Advisory AUGUST 2005
The Heart Gallery of Central Texas Premieres August 25,
Featuring the Faces of Children Who Need
"Forever Families"
Gala at SPAZIO Launches Central Texas Tour
WHAT: The Heart Gallery of Central Texas, an art exhibit featuring portraits of more than 100 Central Texas children who are waiting to be adopted from foster care, premieres August 25 in Austin with a gala at SPAZIO by Lytle Pressley.
A project of the Adoption Coalition of Texas and CASA of Travis County, The Heart Gallery of Central Texas is both an art exhibit and community education effort. It is made possible by more than 55 renowned documentary and portrait photographers who volunteered hundreds of hours to photograph area children who are living in foster care and waiting for adoption.
Gala proceeds benefit the Adoption Coalition of Texas, a collaborative effort of five private nonprofit child-placing agencies (The Arrow Project, Child Placement Center, Lutheran Social Services, Marywood Children and Families and Pathways Youth and Family Services) and Child Protective Services, working together to find forever families for abused and neglected children waiting for adoption.
Following its Austin debut, The Heart Gallery of Central Texas will tour San Antonio, Waco, Temple, Killeen, Bryan and other cities and towns in Central Texas.
WHEN &
WHERE: The Heart Gallery of Central Texas Premiere Gala,
benefiting the Adoption Coalition of Texas
Thursday, August 25, 2005, at 6:30 p.m.
SPAZIO by Lytle Pressley
1214 W. 6th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
Tickets are $25.
Attire: Austin chic
More information: www.adoptioncoalitiontx.org
WHY: Everyday 500 Central Texas children who were abused or neglected are waiting to be adopted from foster care. Each month, another 30 children currently living in foster care become eligible for adoption, which happens when a parents or parents legal rights are terminated. Many children are older or have special needs, are minorities or members of a sibling group. All are considered hard-to-place children.
The Heart Gallery of Central Texas creates a window into the worlds of these childrens lives and aims to elicit public support for and interest in adoption from foster care.
CONTACT: Media: Laura Bond Williams, 512.495.7162 williaml@fleishman.com
Sponsorships: Tracy Eilers, 512.301.2825, tracyeilers@austin.rr.com
About the Photographers:
Photographers to date include members of Texas Documentary Photographers and many admired portrait photographers. They include Steve Armstrong, Beth & Carlos Austin, Bill Bastas, Karen Bauer, Kenny Braun, Linda Breland, Mariza and Joe Brussolo-Cremona, Suzanne Burnes (Austin Photographer of the Year), Pierce Burns, Mike Carmical, Barbara Christopher, Janet Dodd, Lucy Durfee, Rose Epps, Greer Evans, Ann Gardner, BJ Smiley Goins, Jennifer Harriman, Susan Hoermann, Janet Ingram, Mark Jamail, Nancy Krueger, Mike McClure, Maggie Messer, Gerald Morrison, Doug Osborn, Deborah Pennington, Sue Ellen Pesl, Jeanette Peterson, Chricel Portela, Michael Roche, Don Rogers, Stephanie Routh, Lynn Smith, Peter Staats, Colleen Stroup, Jennifer Turner, Robin Underdown, Kathy Van Torne, Eric Von Lehmden, Diana Lynn Walker, Chuck West, Nancy Whitworth, Stella Williamson, Amanda Wintenburg, and Pat Yingst.
Honorary Board, The Heart Gallery of Central Texas
Olga Campos, Evening News Anchor, KVUE
Amy Hadley, Reporter, News 8 Austin
Daphne Harrington, Strategic Director, Avant Garde SalonSpa
Lytle Pressley, SPAZIO By Lytle Pressley
Richard Slaughter, Executive Director, Austin Community Foundation
About the Committee
Tracy Eilers, D.M., Chair
Executive Director
Adoption Coalition of Texas
Denise Hyde, Co-Chair
Attorney
Law Offices of Denise Hyde
Amy Shipp, CASA of Travis County
Laura Bond Williams, Fleishman-Hillard
Tiffany Clerc, Four Seasons Hotel Austin
BJ Smiley Goins, Photographer
Joe Cremona, Photographer
Stephanie Routh, Photographer
Linda Breland, Photographer
Emma Garrett, Attorney
Graydon Trusler
Monica Jackson
Tiffany Anderson A Girl Creative
Shelley Seale United Way
Lori Frasco The Arrow Project
Suzette Lamb Pathways Children and Family Services
Leslie Mitchell, Pathways Children and Family Services
Tara Hopkins CPS
Cecilia Blanford Lutheran Social Services
Bryan Rumble Austin Junior Forum
Johnnie Barnes Helping Hand Home
Julie Gallaway The Arrow Project
Al Blankenship Pathways Children and Family Services
Andrea Barnett CPS
Jenni Balthrop Fleishman-Hillard
JoVonna Cavazos Consultant
Tracy Butler Child Placement Services
Misty Distel Marywood Children and Families
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| 06/08/05 |
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Family Event / Media Advisory
Adoption Coalition of Texas (ACT) Announces an All-Star Lineup for its First Annual
"Diamond Dads" Tailgate Picnic
ACT and Round Rock Express Team Up to Recognize
Central Texas Adoptive Dads
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What: |
Families and individuals who are considering adoption are invited to meet Central Texas all-star dads who made the leap into fatherhood through adoption from foster care. On Fathers Day weekend, the Adoption Coalition of Texas, in partnership with the Round Rock Express and Rudys Country Store and B-B-Q, will honor outstanding adoptive fathers as its Diamond Dads. These fathers of all ages and backgrounds will be recognized for their commitment to provide safe and secure homes for children who needed a forever family. They and their children will be available to talk with interested families and singles about the rewards of adoption. There is no charge to attend the tailgate picnic. Tickets to the Round Rock Express game that evening are $5 for general admission. |
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When &
Where: |
Saturday, June 18
Parking lot of the Dell Diamond
3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd
Round Rock, Texas 78664
Tailgate picnic starts at 4:30 p.m.
Game begins at 7:05 p.m. |
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Why: |
Every day 500 Central Texas children who were abused or neglected are waiting to be adopted from the foster care system. The Adoption Coalition of Texas is hosting this pre-game picnic to encourage families and single individuals to come and learn more about adopting from the foster care system. |
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About the Adoption Coalition: |
The Adoption Coalition of Texas (ACT) is a public/private partnership of nonprofit adoption agencies and Child Protective Services working together to find forever families for older children, sibling groups, and children with special needs, often referred to as forgotten children. These children are living in foster care, many for extended periods of time, and are waiting for a permanent family a life of stability and love. |
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Contact: |
Tracy Eilers, D.M., Adoption Coalition of Texas, 512-301-2825
For Media Inquires/Interviews:
Jenni Sage Balthrop, Fleishman Hillard, 512-495-7174
http://www.adoptioncoalitiontx.org/ |
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| 05/22/05 |
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The Heart Gallery of Central Texas, as seen on Austin's KXAN News 36.
Every day 500 Central Texas children wait to be adopted. Each month, another 30 children living in foster care become eligible for adoption. To raise awareness of these childrens needs and recruit adoptive families, the Adoption Coalition of Texas, in partnership with CASA of Travis County, are creating The Heart Gallery of Central Texas.
Part art exhibit and part community education program, The Heart Gallery of Central Texas will present amazing, personal portraits of children who are waiting for their forever families. The exhibit will premiere in Austin on August 25 at SPAZIO by Lytle Pressley.
In response to a January 2005 PARADE Magazine article about Heart Galleries in New Mexico and Washington, dozens of Austin-area photographers began volunteering their time and talent to photograph 50 children and sibling groups to create The Heart Gallery of Central Texas. These represent only 10 percent of children waiting for adoption in Central Texas.
With ongoing support from individuals and the business community, The Heart Gallery of Central Texas can grow into a comprehensive family recruitment program that features all children who are available for adoption in our region.
For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact the Adoption Coalition of Texas at 888-441-2009 or 512-301-2825 or email us.
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| 04/10/05 |
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Click HERE to view the April 10 segment.
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| 10/21/04 |
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NEWS 8 AUSTIN'S AMY HADLEY WINS AWARD
Amy Hadley of News 8 Austin won an award presented by the Adoption Coalition of Texas at our Homes Sweet Homes event. To read more about this story, please click HERE.
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| 10/13/04 |
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Albertsons Austin Extreme Home Renovation
AUSTIN, TX
. It's an extreme home renovation for two deserving families. On Saturday and Sunday, October 23 & 24, Albertsons volunteers will renovate the homes of two foster and adoptive families that care for medically fragile children. I live to make a difference in the lives of children who have been abused or neglected, the homeowner says.
This is no small honey-do list. Volunteers will rip down walls, put in new flooring, and make the homes accessible for medical equipment. In all, 11 kids and their foster/adoptive parents will benefit from this project.
More than 40 volunteers from Albertsons will do the work under the supervision of Marvin Petzolt, President of Grandeur Homes, who has volunteered his time and expertise. Other volunteers and contributors to this project include Austin Real Estate Partners, BFI, Carpet by Conrad (who donated all of the flooring!) and Superior Septic. Albertsons is graciously underwriting the majority of this project.
Albertsons contribution to the community extends beyond the four walls of our stores, said Jodi Austin, Regional Director for the Austin area of Albertsons. These families take on an enormous responsibility caring for children with special emotional and physical needs and we are honored to give their homes a face lift. According to Dr. Tracy Eilers, Executive Director of the Adoption Coalition of Texas, this project could not be done without the selfless involvement of Albertsons
we are extremely grateful.
The home renovation reveal to the family will be at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 24.
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| 09/30/04 |
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HOMES SWEET HOMES
An evening of decadent desserts to support Central Texas forgotten children
AUSTIN, TX . . . The historic Caswell House will be full of friends and supporters enjoying an evening of hors doeuvres, decadent desserts, fine wine and entertainment. Generous guests will bid on items in the silent and live auction while enjoying a special performance by singer/songwriter Sara Hickman. Local celebrity servers will dish and special guests, including Regina Louise, author, Somebodys Someone, will add the finishing touch to the event. On Wednesday, October 20, 2004, the Adoption Coalition of Texas (ACT) is hosting Homes Sweet Homes to support Central Texas forgotten children. Interested guests should bring an appetite for fun and a generous spirit!
Local celebrity servers on hand for the event include: Olga Campos, Anchor/Reporter, KVUE; Tom Pittman, Entertainer, Austin Lounge Lizards; Kevin Benz, News Director, News 8 Austin; Richard Slaughter, Executive Director, Austin Community Foundation; Tracye McDaniel, Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Governor, Economic Development & Tourism and Brian Sikes, President, Round Rock Donuts.
Special guest and Austin native, Regina Louise, author of Somebodys Someone, will share the story of her life surviving and thriving in over 30 foster homes and placements. In her quest to prevent anyone from repeating her childhood, Regina inspires hope and encourages listeners to find strength in difficult situations. In addition, Special Honoree Amy Hadley, reporter, News 8 Austin, will be honored for her work with the Adoption Coalition since its inception.
The Adoption Coalition of Texas (ACT) is a collaboration of child-placing agencies in Central Texas. Operating as a special project of Austin Community Foundation, the Adoption Coalition of Texas mission is to find permanent homes (forever families) for children languishing in the foster care system. For more information, call Tracy Eilers, Executive Director at 512/301-2825.
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