THRU PROJECT | Heart Gallery of South Central TX

THRU Project empowers youth and young adults who have experienced foster care by providing the consistent support, resources, and connections they need to thrive as they transition into adulthood. 

The Heart Gallery of South Central Texas is dedicated to transforming the lives of children in foster care by connecting them with forever families. Our mission is to advocate for these children and raise awareness about the importance of adoption. Through our gallery, we showcase the unique stories of each child, hoping to inspire potential adoptive families to open their hearts and homes. Since our inception, we have been committed to supporting both children and adoptive families, ensuring a smooth transition into a new chapter of life.

Who We Are

THRU Project began in September 2011, as the only mentoring program for the young men and women leaving foster care in the San Antonio area. Many youth grow up in the foster care system and may endure twenty or thirty different homes (and schools) during that time. These same youth often leave foster care without permanent housing, little education or job training and, most important, without a single, trusted adult to support them in this critical time. Without help, the majority of these youth will be homeless, incarcerated or victimized within two years of leaving foster care.

The Heart Gallery of South Central Texas advocates for the adoption of children experiencing foster care through community awareness all over the 28 counties of South Central Texas, and provides free support to families and individuals with post adoption support. 

$50 — Capture Their Story: Helps provide a professional photography session for a child or youth waiting for permanency, giving them photos that reflect their personality and help tell their story.

$100 — Share Their Story: Helps sponsor a digital Heart Gallery exhibit, bringing the faces and stories of waiting children into community spaces and helping more prospective families discover them.

$250 — Expand Their Reach: Helps bring the Heart Gallery into more communities across South Central Texas through exhibits, outreach materials, community events, and engagement with prospective adoptive families.

$1,000 — Champion Permanency: Provides significant support for the full Heart Gallery mission—from professional photography and exhibits to community outreach and family engagement—helping children and youth waiting for adoption get seen, known, and connected with potential forever families.