Friends 4 Open Hearts is dedicated to enrichng the lives of everyone that enters our doors.

Opening Hearts. Changing Futures. Together.

Friends 4 Open Hearts unites families, agencies, and communities to empower children and youth with lived experience in foster care. Through advocacy, education, and support, we’re building bridges of hope that help every child move from surviving to thriving.

OUR STORY

Our team builds bridges of hope and opportunity — creating meaningful connections that change lives.

Friends 4 Open Hearts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and stability of children and youth impacted by the foster care system.

Our mission is simple yet powerful — to advocate, empower, and support children and families touched by foster care through innovative programs and meaningful community partnerships.

Founded on the belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued; Friends 4 Open Hearts works to bridge the gap between foster care, independence, and lifelong success.

To develop programs and partnerships that improve the health and wellbeing of abused, neglected, and at-risk children — helping them transition from surviving to thriving.

Advocate

We speak up for children currently in the foster care system, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. Through awareness campaigns, volunteer mobilization, and partnerships with child placement agencies, we fight for the rights and dignity of every child.

Empower

We empower youth and young adults with lived experience in foster care to build the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Our signature program, Launch Poynt, offers a structured curriculum focused on education, employment readiness, emotional wellbeing, and life-skills development — preparing youth to navigate adulthood with purpose and resilience.

Support

We collaborate with foster care agencies, social service organizations, and community partners to strengthen the network of care surrounding foster youth. Together, we create opportunities for stability, healing, and hope.

Our Story

Friends 4 Open Hearts was founded by Gayun Matthews, a visionary leader with more than a decade of experience operating a foster care agency. Through her work, Gayun witnessed firsthand the challenges that both foster youth and the agencies serving them face each day.

After more than 10 years of guiding children and families through the foster care system, she began to see an alarming pattern — youth aging out of care without a plan for their future. Many lacked access to stable housing, education, employment, or emotional support once they turned 18. Gayun knew that the system needed more than just placement services — it needed partnerships, preparation, and people who would walk alongside these young adults as they transitioned into independence.

From that realization, Friends 4 Open Hearts was born — a nonprofit dedicated to closing the gap between foster care and adulthood. What began as a local initiative has grown into a network of programs and partnerships that advocate for children currently in care, empower those with lived experience in foster care, and support agencies and communities working to improve outcomes for foster youth.

Today, Friends 4 Open Hearts continues to build bridges of hope, ensuring that every child — no matter their background or circumstance — is seen, heard, and valued.

Our Impactful Services

Friends 4 Open Hearts provides a range of impactful services designed to support children and youth with lived experience in foster care. Through programs like Launch Poynt, Campus Connect, the Annual Angel Tree, the Community Care Partnership Network, and our Book Scholarship Program, we empower youth to build stability, confidence, and independence. Each initiative reflects our commitment to advocacy, education, and community collaboration — helping young people transition from foster care into brighter, more sustainable futures.

Launch Poynt 18-Month Transitional Living Program

Friends 4 Open Hearts is laying the foundation for lasting change through the development of the Launch Poynt 18-Month Transitional Living Program — a comprehensive residential model designed to help youth with lived experience in foster care successfully transition into adulthood. Our efforts are focused on building systems of care that go beyond placement — systems that provide consistent guidance, mentorship, and real-life preparation. Every detail of the Launch Poynt model reflects our belief that transition is not a moment, but a process. The program delivers impact through three intentional phases: • Phase 1: Foundation & Readiness (12 weeks) – Helping youth stabilize, set personal goals, and build essential life and coping skills. • Phase 2: Growth & Skill-Building – Equipping participants with educational, vocational, and financial literacy skills while fostering emotional wellness. • Phase 3: Independence & Maintenance – Supporting young adults as they secure housing, employment, and community connections to maintain long-term success. While our program is still in its early stages, our efforts have already created stronger partnerships, expanded community awareness, and laid the groundwork for measurable impact. Our goal is to ensure that every participant leaves Launch Poynt with a clear plan, sustainable skills, and a renewed sense of purpose — transforming futures one young person at a time.

Campus Connect Program

Supporting Foster Youth in Higher Education Campus Connect bridges the gap between foster care and college life by providing essential dorm supplies, mentorship, and emotional support to students with lived experience in foster care. Through community donations and hands-on guidance, we help ensure that no student starts their educational journey without the tools, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

Community Care Partnership Network

Strengthening Agencies and Families This collaborative effort partners with foster care agencies and social service providers to share resources, training, and support for children in care. By working together, we help create consistency and stability for youth while empowering caregivers and professionals with the tools they need to provide trauma-informed, compassionate care.

Annual Angel Tree Program

Spreading hope, joy, and love to children in foster care during the holidays. Each year, Friends 4 Open Hearts brings the community together through our Annual Angel Tree Program — a cherished tradition that ensures children in foster care experience the warmth and joy of the holiday season. Through generous donations from individuals, families, and corporate sponsors, we raise over $17,000 annually to fulfill wish lists for more than 170 children across North Texas. Each gift represents more than just a toy or item — it’s a reminder that these children are seen, valued, and remembered. Our team, along with volunteers and community partners, carefully coordinates every detail — from collecting wish lists to wrapping and delivering gifts — to make the season brighter for each child we serve. The Angel Tree Program reflects the heart of Friends 4 Open Hearts: advocating, empowering, and supporting children impacted by foster care through compassion and community connection. CTA: Sponsor an Angel • Donate Gifts • Join the Holiday Drive

Book Scholarship Program

Empowering education for youth with lived experience in foster care. The Friends 4 Open Hearts Book Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to help cover the cost of textbooks, e-books, and essential educational materials for college, trade school, or certification programs. This scholarship supports youth and young adults ages 17–26 who have lived experience in foster care — ensuring that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of their education or career goals. Through this initiative, we aim to empower students to focus on learning, not logistics, and to continue building the confidence and independence that comes with higher education. Scholarship awards range from $250–$1,000, depending on need and available funding. Recipients also receive access to additional support and resources through our Campus Connect Program. Together, we’re helping future leaders turn the page toward brighter futures.

Get Involved

You can make a difference. Join us as a volunteer, mentor, or donor and help us continue guiding foster youth toward brighter futures.

Our Impact

Over $17,000 raised annually through our Foster Child Fundraiser and Angel Tree
Hundreds of youth supported through Launch Poynt and Campus Connect initiatives
Partnerships with local agencies, schools, and colleges to expand access to essential resources
Continued advocacy for trauma-informed care, mental wellness, and educational success

Get Started

Meet our 2025

Board of Directors

Contact

469-730-3284

contact@friends4openhearts.org

Address

1111 W. Mockingbird Lane

Suite 1030

Dallas, TX 75247

Schedule

24 Hours / 7 Days Open

Office time: 10 AM - 5:30 PM

Have Questions?

Get in Touch

our staff would love to hear from you.

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Opening Hearts. Changing Futures. Together.

OUR STORY