The Colorado Heart Gallery is renewing efforts to match children in foster care with adoptive families by pairing professional photography and personal storytelling. Among the youths featured in the gallery is a fifth-grader identified as Tahir, whom advocates say would thrive with a permanent family.
How the gallery works
Founded in 2005 as a partnership of the Colorado Department of Human Services, nonprofit groups and volunteer photographers, the Colorado Heart Gallery publishes portraits, short videos and first-person biographies of children and teens waiting for adoption. The materials are displayed online and in traveling exhibits across the state so prospective families can form a more personal connection with young people before inquiries are made.
About Tahir
The gallery’s writeup paints a picture of a creative, energetic child: Tahir is a fifth grader born in 2015 who enjoys crafting rap verses, playing video games, and spending recess outdoors. He likes dogs, favors the color gold, and is known to enjoy pizza and candy after a long day of school and practice. Gallery materials say he shines when allowed to express his creativity.
Caseworkers say Tahir would do best living in an urban area where he could be the youngest child in the household, and that a home with both a mother and father would suit him well. However, the caseworker is open to considering other family configurations. The gallery also notes that there are significant relationships Tahir should be able to maintain following placement.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 2015 |
| Reference number | 353396 |
| Recommended setting | Urban area; youngest child in the home preferred |
Support and next steps for interested families
Those interested in more information or inquiring about adoption or fostering can contact the Colorado Heart Gallery directly. The gallery also notes that financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services in some cases. For families outside Colorado, the gallery encourages inquiries from households that have completed a home study.
- Phone for information: (303) 755-4756
- Reference for Tahir: 353396
- Age group: elementary-school age (fifth grade)
For people considering adoption or foster parenting, the Heart Gallery is one of several statewide resources that pair portraits and stories with caseworker information to simplify the first contact. The gallery’s traveling exhibits are designed to reach prospective parents who may not be actively searching online.
Community members who want to help but are not in a position to adopt can support local nonprofits that work with foster youth, volunteer with photography projects, attend local exhibits to raise awareness, or donate to organizations that provide post-placement services.
Contact information and the reference number above provide starting points for anyone wanting to learn more about Tahir or other children featured by the Colorado Heart Gallery.
