 "Photo: Layne Zolninger")
For Heather and Angela, a typical day for this pair of 14-year-olds includes the normal going to school, studying, playing games, showering and eating dinner.
These girls love participating in sports, music and arts and crafts.
At first glance, they are an average pair of best friends, spending time together, enjoying each other's company, but what most people don't see is what matters the most.
They are waiting to be adopted.
Their dreams are normal, too. Heather wants someone to walk her down the aisle.
Angela wants to be part of a family.
When her mother died, her four younger siblings were adopted to the same family, leaving her to live at a residential treatment center.
"I was so used to being in charge," said Angela, who "raised" the children as her mother worked to pay bills and the children's father refused to help.
According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, there are more than 555,000 children nationwide in foster care, and more than 120,000 of those are waiting to be adopted.
However, the San Antonio area has only about 100 foster homes available to children, making it difficult to place the 2,500 kids who are in need of a home.
Professional photographers volunteer their time and talent to photograph children awaiting adoption for the Heart Gallery of San Antonio, which highlights the need for foster care. Included in a traveling exhibit are portraits of 50 children, including Heather and Angela.
The exhibit is displayed in corporate lobbies, community and nonprofit centers.
The difficulty of placing teens in homes is a result of their ages; many families are not interested in adopting or fostering children who will not be part of their lives for long.
"There is a tremendous number of kids who need foster and adoptive care" said Bill Whipple, Child Protective Services' director of foster care recruitment.
When children reach 18, they "age out" of the system, making them unavailable for adoption, and if they are adopted during their teen years, most people consider that they will soon be leaving home.
While it may be difficult to find places for older children, searching for homes for younger children never seems to be a problem.
"There's no shortage of families for the little ones," Whipple said.
Dealing with the separation from her siblings, her mother's death, and five years in Child Protective Services, Angela has overcome obstacles that to many seem unimaginable.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know how I do it, I just do it," Angela said.
With the assistance of therapists and the staff members of the center, both Angela and Heather have bettered themselves, learning to deal with issues in a positive way.
"I breathe and take five seconds and let it go, because it's not worth it to get upset. I've been trying really hard to do what I've got to do," Heather said.
As the girls learn to deal with frustration, they are rewarded for their progress.
By being calm and following instructions, they are awarded passes to leave with approved family members for longer periods of time as behavior improves.
"I was a very bad runaway. I'm just earning back my trust," Angela said, admitting she has not been awarded many passes so far.
As Heather and Angela wait to be adopted, their desire for stability and love in their lives is thriving.
Annette Landry, a case worker at Child Protective Services, hopes that as they grow, a family will be there to support them.
"I want somebody to be there when I need help," Angela said.
Having a family to go home to for holidays and during school vacations is imperative during the transition to adulthood, as teens often rely on parents for wisdom, guidance and, most important, stability, which is what both Angela and Heather are hoping to have.
CPS's Whipple said, "It hurts me when there's one that wants to be adopted."
As the anxious waiting continues, Heather and Angela stay strong and faithful.
"God's the one that prepares you for your future," Angela said, knowing that the challenges she faces now won't hold her back.
Heather adds, "Anything is possible if you just have faith."
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