ORLEANS REGION

Thank you for visiting the Louisiana Heart Gallery website where we believe every child deserves a loving family to call their own.
There is a great need for parents willing to be licensed foster parents, able to provide a temporary home for children needing a stable, loving environment. There is also a need for parents wanting to adopt children that are legally available to be adopted. 
If you are interested in fostering temporarily, or fostering to adopt, you will first need to become a Certified Foster Parent and will begin the process by taking one of the classes listed below.
For more information, call (504) 736-7171 or 1-888-733-7171

NEW FOSTER PARENT ORIENTATION CLASS LOCATIONS:
 
Westbank DCFS Office
2150 Westbank Expressway, 6th Floor
Harvey, LA  70058
Wednesday, February 06, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
Thursday, May 09, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
Thursday, May 30, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
Saturday, June 22, 2019 @ 11:00a.m.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
Wednesday, August 07, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
Monday, August 26, 2019 @ 10:00a.m.
Saturday, September 21, 2019 @ 11:00a.m.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
Thursday, November 21, 2019 @ 11:00a.m.
Tuesday, December 03, 2019 @ 6:00p.m.
 
 
Dillard University
2601 Gently Blvd.
New Orleans, LA  70126
Saturday, March 23, 2019 @ 11:00a.m.
 
Kenner North Library (Jefferson Parish)
630 West Esplanade
Kenner, LA  70065
Monday, April 01, 2019 @ 6:30p.m.
 
East Jefferson Regional Library
4747 Napoleon Avenue
​Metairie, LA  70001
Monday, April 22, 2019 @ 5:00p.m.

Domonick

8 year-old Domonick has an infectious smile. He is an avid Saints and Pelicans fan, as you can see here! His caregivers say that he likes watching football and basketball for a bit, and he is completely New Orleans!  Though nonverbal, Domonick desires what most of us take for granted—a Forever Family and Home of His own. He will need loving, supportive parent(s) willing to go the extra mile to learn how to care for him and to meet his special needs. In return, you can look forward to the special bond that his current caregivers have with him—Love… For more information on adopting Domonick, please contact Tyra Mercadel, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter; 225-229-7703 or Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@LA.Gov.
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Matt

Carl who prefers to be called Matt, is an 15 year old handsome young man who is active and enjoys playing video games. He loves going on outings where he can experience new things. This 8th grader is progressing well in school with the help of his teachers and caregivers. Matt has a good appetite and is always ready to eat.

Matt wants forever parents who will be patient and loving with him yet firm when necessary. Matt wouldn't mind being the only child in the family in order to receive the special attention he deserves. For additional information on Matthew, please contact Tyra Mercadel at 225-229-7703 or Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@la.go

Angel

Angel has chestnut brown hair and a pretty smile. She is very engaging and talkative. She is in the 6th grade and needs to be challenged. She loves art and drawing. Angel dreams of becoming a social worker when she grows up. She enjoys helping people. Angelis looking for a forever family who will love and care for her. Angel needs to be re-directed at times but she is a very loving and sweet child. Angel is very active 11 years old. Overall she is an amazing child with a lot of love to give. Are you that forever family for our Angel?
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Jason

​Jason is a 15 year old active teenager. He gets along well with other children. Jason would benefit from a home that would keep him busy with sports and outdoor events. He would love to have strong, loving parents. He loves computers and is interested in offshore drilling. He loves having fun and telling jokes. He always has a smile and is a happy child. He is very affectionate child. He is very handsome, with chestnut brown hair and brown eyes. He needs a young male role model to remain active with him on camping trips.​ For more information on Jason, please contact Tyra Mercadel at 225-229-7703 or Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@la.gov
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Tristen

Tristen, is a handsome, rambunctious child who is all boy! He is 12 years old and enjoys playing with trucks of any kind, electronic race trucks, regular trucks, and dump trucks. In fact, Tristan loves watching truck shows on T.V. and is a huge fan of Monster Jam. He dreams of being able to attend a Monster Jam show in the near future. Tristen does not mind attending school, but would prefer being able to run freely in a park moving from one activity to the next. He is very active, and would enjoy a family that also enjoys keeping active. If you believe you are the family that Tristan desires, please do not hesitate to inquire today. For more info, please contact Tyra Mercadel at 225-229-7703 or Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@la.gov
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India

India is a 17 year old who loves teenage life. She is an avid tablet user and likes to draw, skateboard and dance. She enjoys looking good and dressing well. She is looking forward to joining the military after graduation and hasn’t settled on a career choice yet but is curious about many subjects. She loves church activities with her foster family and is the go to person when dealing with computers. India enjoys school and has additional supports to help her work to her full potential. She also has support to help her adjust to separation and loss issues regarding her family dynamics. A single or two parent family who has loads of love and can provide positive and consistent structure will benefit from opening their hearts and homes to India. For more info, please contact Tyra Mercadel at 225-229-7703 or Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@la.go

Shawn

Shawn is 14 years old and in the 8th grade. He is a handsome young man who takes pride in his attire as well as his gentlemanly ways.  He recently made honor roll of the first time and was very proud of this accomplishment. 
Shawn is an active and inquisitive young guy.  He enjoys playing sports, especially basketball and likes watching wresting matches on TV.  Shawn's favorite subject is in school is Math and will challenger you with his knowledge base in this area.
Shawn desires a forever home with two parents who enjoy sports as much as he does! 

Sternisha

Sternisha is a cute little 9 year old girl with a personality who loves to laugh. If you are looking for a girls' day out, Sternisha is your girl. She likes getting her nails and her hair done. She is in regular education classes and earns good grades for the most part. She does lack motivation in some subject areas but she is a "hundred" in math. Sternisha has had disruptive behaviors at times; however with consistent structure in a nurturing environment, Sternisha will blossom. This young lady is looking for a forever family that will love and support her.
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Jade

​Jade is a beautiful 12 year old African American female.  She enjoys taking pictures, playing games, swimming, going on outings, playing on the computer and tablets.  Jade loves being the center of attention and she loves affection.
 
Jade stated her favorite food is macaroni and cheese and she loves to cook pasta.  Her best subject in school is math.  Jade reported that her favorite color is orange.  Jade will need structure, supervision, attention and love.  Jade has expressed an interest to be adopted by a single parent. For more information on Jade, please contact Tyra Mercadel at 225-229-7703 or Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@la.gov
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Aaron

For more info on Aaron, please contact Tyra Mercadel at 225-229-7703 or Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@la.go

Jwaun

JWAUN is a handsome articulate young man who enjoys reading and history. I guess you have already figured it out that one of his favorite subjects in school is history and the other one is science. This very articulate you man verbally expresses himself well. Jwaun want his new adoptive family to know he loves cheese with his meatballs and spaghetti. Just like most active young men he enjoys playing football and baseball. This young man is looking for a forever family who is willing to love and care of him. He would love to have a family that is willing to support his love for history and science.
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Mykle

Mykle is a bright 5th grader whose favorite subject is reading. Mykle enjoys attending church and participating in the youth activities there. This youngster has fun riding his bike, playing electronic games, and eating. His favorite foods include oatmeal, waffles, hotdogs, ribs, and pork chops. Yes, he is a "lover" of good food! Mykle wants to be paleontologist. 

Mykle's forever family should be supportive of his need to maintain contact with his younger sister as they are close.  To get to know Mykle better, contact Tyra Mercadel, LMSW Child Welfare Consultant/WWK Recruiter at 225-229-7703 or  Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@la.gov
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Iman

Iman is 15 years old and is outgoing. Iman wants to be a Model—she likes the colors pink and purple and loves to eat chicken and watch TV.  Iman is proud of her wardrobe and spends time determining what combination to wear that would best fit her mood for the day. She is knowledgeable about computers and other technology and is helpful around the house. Iman enjoys school and has additional supports to help her work to her full potential. A single or two parent family who has loads of love and can provide positive and consistent structure will benefit from opening their hearts and homes to Iman. For more info, please contact Tyra Mercadel at 225-229-7703 or Tyra.Mercadel.DCFS@la.go

For more information, call (504) 736-7171 or 1-888-733-7171