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Picture Me

Picture Me

Written by: The Heart Gallery of Central Texas
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About this listen

 Picture Me is a podcast from the Heart Gallery of Central Texas that amplifies voices across the world of child welfare. Hosted by Jon Vineyard, each episode features stories and perspectives from those who live and work within the foster care and adoption community—professionals, foster and adoptive parents, state partners, and adults and youth with lived experience. Whether you’re considering fostering, adopting, or simply want to better understand the system and the lives it touches, Picture Me offers real conversations and heartfelt stories from the world of child welfare.The Heart Gallery of Central Texas Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Chrystal- Foster Village

    Chrystal- Foster Village
    Jan 13 2026

    In this episode we interview Chrystal Smith, the founder and CEO of Foster Village. This is a non-profit founded out of Austin that supports and serves local foster families. You will hear about her inspiration for starting this non-profit and how it is growing to support foster families across the nation. You will love Chrystal’s heart and thought behind everything that she does.


    Foster Village Austin: https://www.fostervillageaustin.org/


    Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com


    Foster Community: https://fostercommunity.org/


    Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/


    Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/
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    25 mins
  • Yareli Mendieta - CPS Adoption Caseworker

    Yareli Mendieta - CPS Adoption Caseworker
    Dec 16 2025

    In this episode we interview Yareli, an adoptions case worker for DFPS. Yareli has been a case worker for 9 years, 7 of those being in the adoptions unit. She has walked side by side with children in foster care from first contact all the way to reunification or adoption. Join us for an inside look of the day to day as a CPS case worker with Yareli.


    Heart Gallery of Central Texas: www.heartgallerytexas.com


    Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/


    Foster Community (foster care and adoption resources): www.fostercommunity.org

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    26 mins
  • Ali

    Ali
    Dec 2 2025

    In this episode we interview Ali, a motivated and caring 14 year old who has spent nearly half of her life in foster care. Ali loves sports and is driven to do well in school to secure her future. She has goals to have a career that makes a difference in other people’s lives since so many people have made a difference in hers. The big thing Ali is missing from her life is an adoptive family who will love her and support her through everything.


    Ali’s Heart Gallery Profile: https://partnershipsforchildren.org/heartgallery/alissandra/


    Heart Gallery of Central Texas: heartgallerytexas.com


    Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE): https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_TARE/Adoption/


    Foster Community (Foster care and adoption resources): www.fostercommunity.org

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    25 mins
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