We realize that the social services world can be a shock to families that are used to operating in a "customer service" oriented world, as the two are not necessarily synonymous in SNAC adoptions. It can be difficult for a family to understand why they would not receive a response from a child's caseworker after their home study has been sent, or why they may not be told why they were not selected as a possible match for a child that they thought was perfect for their family.

The SNAC adoption system is child-centered, not family-centered. And although we believe this is best for the population of children we serve, it can make for an arduous journey for prospective families. For instance, in Oregon when a family is chosen for a committee, that family has only a 33% chance of becoming the selected family, but must be 100% prepared to receive the child into their home. This process can be devastating for families when they are not selected, however we believe that it creates families that are committed to never giving up. Ultimately that is exactly what our waiting children need more than anything... a family that will NOT give up on them.

The system may be broken in places, but we hope to aid families in reconciling their expectations with the reality of a broken system. Although it may be unrealistic expect to receive customer service from the social service world, you should expect it from your adoption agency.

Below is a list of what you can expect from Heart Gallery Adoption Agency:

-A team of folks available to answer your questions throughout the entire process

-An up-to-date child listing website with a 24-hour inquiry response time

-Access to child listing searches nationwide that match your family's preferences

-Free membership in our Matching Assistance Program that includes a private child listing website of 1500+ children from all over the country

-An open door to all families. We honor family diversity

-Support and training throughout the entire process through our Family Support program

A Family For Every Child (AFFEC) is an umbrella organization with many programs. The Heart Gallery Adoption Agency (HGAA) is one of those programs. While AFFEC serves families from all over the country, our Adoption Agency serves only Oregon families. The Heart Gallery Adoption Agency was started in November of 2008, and was created to meet the needs of older and harder to place children. When these children believe that the system has given up on them, in turn, they give up on themselves. Through our recruitment efforts we have found that there are many families who would welcome these children. By offering support, we aim to find Forever Families for children previously labeled as "unadoptable".

How we differ from other Oregon adoption agencies:

-We solely focus on families that are looking to adopt from the foster care system. 100% of our families are looking to adopt children that are considered hard-to-place. We do not work with families interested in domestic private adoptions (infant adoptions) or international adoptions.  

-We help Oregon families look nationwide for children. Oregon has become very competitive in the last few years and we feel that it is to the advantage of some families to look outside the Oregon system for children that would be a good match for their family. 

-Support and information are vital for success. We at Heart Gallery Adoption Agency are committed to providing the information and support necessary to help our families succeed at SNAC adoptions.

Our Family Support program holds a support group on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. This group is for foster families, families in all stages of the adoption process, and mentors. This group is offered to support, share and encourage each other in the process of caring for children in the foster care system. Adoption can be a frustrating process for both families and children, we want to help you on this journey.

Come be a part of this group, together we can make a difference one child at a time. There are activities for children so please feel free to bring them with you. We are meeting at the Emerald Valley Boys and Girls Club Westmoreland Branch, 5:30 - 7:30pm, 1545 W 22nd Ave, Eugene, OR 97405. For more information please contact Lisa at 541-343-2856 or http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=hq4lu8bab&et=1103827827756&s=6525&e=001D8_f-vwonQsRlR-QjGjq_2g5BnXL_WVCMXQed4X4FCKqDghZ1QWe68ApCzARLQgDdZz_d43Xp-DdWZbmRfuYyVXBty9cr_okNERK1I0Qb6JDyeVYbUEfcP3Rc1_woYdnk3Y_YyQ9qCpG5mOM4WWDSh7K-01kD_1Wjter4weYLfj2lavusUn1s9O3dD87hhQ82Vxxk9lEFx4= 

For more information and resources, please visit the Family Support page here.

Although we are a Eugene-based agency, we have four Adoption Workers that are willing to travel to serve families all over the state of Oregon.

Angela Norman

Adoption Agency Coordinator

Angela began volunteering for A Family For Every Child as a Family Finder in August of 2008. After being hired in December 2008, she has held positions with a variety of programs at the agency. Currently, she acts as the Adoption Agency Coordinator. As the agency's Coordinator, she is the person you will speak with initially about the agency. She will answer your questions, get you started with an application and connect you with an Adoption Worker when you are ready to proceed. Angela is also a mentor to an eight-year-old boy in foster care through AFFEC and enjoys going to the library, creating artwork and making dinners with this young man. "My evening spent being a mentor is the highlight of my week!"

Sue Thoroughman

Portland-Based Adoption Worker

Sue Thoroughman earned her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Wheaton College Graduate School. Sue spent eight plus years as a Center Director at the Pregnancy Resource Center in Portland, then went on to work with birth parents and adoptive parents at Heritage Adoption Services, eventually becoming their Director of Domestic Services. After taking a couple of years off to rest, travel and make jewelry, Sue came back to the field of adoption at HGAA. "I really love the mission of this organization. Why does it take so long to get kids placed with their forever families? I'm glad to be a part of bringing about change, and I hope it will be for many, many kids and their new families."

BJ Hurwich

Eugene-Based Adoption Worker

A love of children and happy endings drew Barbara (BJ) Hurwich into Adoption work. "I'm quite passionate that children deserve love, safety, care and the potential for a bright future." BJ has dual Master's degrees in Psychology and Social Work, and has counseled families for 20 years. She is a parent and foster parent, and enjoys gardening, dancing, remodeling houses, training master recyclers and helping organize events for the homeless. One of BJ's specialties is helping families analyze their adoption portfolio to showcase their strengths and identify how they can build their skills to effectively parent special needs children.

Linda Kostur

Eugene-Based Adoption Worker

Linda has worked with families in Eugene and the surrounding area for the past 30 years. She recognizes the importance of respecting each family member's needs while building strength and stability in the entire system. Linda has also raised her own family and has two young adult daughters. She is an enthusiastic learner open to cutting edge research, especially in the areas of attachment and bonding, epigenetics, brain research, and perinatal mood disorder. She is an active member of the Oregon Network of Infant Mental Health (ONIMH). Linda is very excited to be a part of A Family For Every Child, working together for the selfless goal of providing a child with love, support and truth. "I look forward to guiding families through the adoption journey, providing options, information and support."

Shelli McGarry

Eugene-Based Adoption Worker

Shelli McGarry received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2006 from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. After working in the behavioral health field for nearly a year, she shifted her focus to child welfare. In January 2007, Shelli began working as an Adoption Specialist for West Valley Child Crisis Center in Peoria, Arizona. She certified families for foster care and adoption, and worked with the state to match children with families. Shelli has been part of numerous successful adoptions, and feels that there is nothing more rewarding than when a child finds their forever family. In August 2010, she and her husband, AJ, relocated to Eugene and have been enjoying hiking, biking, and meeting new people. Shelli is very excited to be part of the Heart Gallery Adoption team and looks forward to helping children and families in her new community.

Many of Oregon's foster children are at risk of spending their entire childhood in multiple foster care placements. These are wonderful kids who need to find their "forever families." The Heart Gallery Adoption Agency specializes in finding homes for Oregon's special needs children. A child is usually considered "special needs" if they are over six-years-old, part of a sibling group, have some physical, mental or emotional disabilities, or are part of an ethnic minority. Of special concern are children who are at risk of "aging-out" of foster care. These are the hardest to place children who have been in the system the longest. Because they lack the support system that most young adults take for granted, they are at higher risk for dropping out of school, homelessness, poverty, and young parenthood. They do not have any more time to wait.

"Over the last 2 years that our agency has been operating we have seen many happy families and children matched. We have also seen how important both pre and post adoption support is needed to make a family successful. This work is very important to Oregon's waiting children, no child should be given up on, no child should be lost in the system to grow up and 'age out' alone. We have learned there is truly A Family For Every Child, but you have to believe that it is true and work to make it happen." Christy Obie-Barrett, Executive Director.