Connie’s Frozen Custard in Cy-Fair Hosts Heart Gallery Exhibit to Help Foster Children Find Forever Families
A Houston sweet spot known for more than just dessert is making room for something even more meaningful this month. Connie’s Frozen Custard, a Cy-Fair favorite located at 12545 Jones Road, has opened its doors—and its heart—to host the Heart Gallery of Greater Houston, a traveling photo exhibit that highlights children in the foster care system who are waiting to be adopted.
The exhibit, presented by BEAR...Be A Resource for CPS Kids, features captivating portraits of local children legally eligible for adoption. These powerful images aim to do what words alone cannot—help connect kids in foster care with loving, permanent families.
“Matthew and Keri, your support has helped connect children legally available for adoption to potential adoptive families,” BEAR Houston shared in a statement to the Connie’s team. “We’re beyond grateful for your generosity and commitment to making a difference in our community.”
For many longtime customers, this initiative further solidifies why Connie’s isn’t just an ice cream shop—it’s a cornerstone of the community. Open since April 2000, Connie’s Frozen Custard has grown into a Cy-Fair tradition, known for its rich, made-daily custard and award-winning treats like J.B.’s Texas Turtle Sundae and their build-your-own Concrete creations. But beyond sundaes and swirls, owners Matthew Greatens and Keri Jackman have cultivated a business deeply rooted in giving back.
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What Is the Heart Gallery?
The Heart Gallery of Greater Houston is BEAR’s newest and most emotionally impactful initiative. As a photographic art exhibit, it raises public awareness and inspires action around the urgent need for adoptive families in the Greater Houston area. Each portrait is captured by volunteer photographers who aim to reflect the spirit and individuality of each child.
At its core, the Heart Gallery is more than a display—it’s a lifeline.
Children featured in the Heart Gallery often fall into the category of “forgotten children”—older youth, sibling groups, and those with special needs. Without intervention, they face daunting odds. According to BEAR:
- Children in these groups historically have only a 1% chance of adoption before aging out of the foster care system.
- Once aged out, over 40% experience homelessness within a year.
- More than 50% struggle with substance abuse, and about 60% will become incarcerated.
- Tragically, over 70% will be involved in a pregnancy by age 21.
Yet, when displayed through Heart Galleries, those adoption rates shift dramatically—jumping from 1% to over 60%nationwide.
How BEAR Houston Serves Houston's Most Vulnerable Children
BEAR—short for Be A Resource—is the only 501(c)(3) non-profit working directly with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults. With a mission to provide comfort, dignity, and support to children in CPS custody, BEAR operates four core programs focused on emergency necessities, seasonal celebrations, and now, adoption awareness through the Heart Gallery.
What began with a $7,000 annual budget has now grown into a $2 million operation, made possible by community partners like Connie’s and everyday Houstonians who care.
Currently, more than 30,000 children are in CPS custody across Texas. In the Greater Houston area alone, 16,000 children are involved in active CPS cases, with over 1,000 removed from their homes under emergency circumstances. The need is real—and urgent.
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How the Community Can Help
By hosting the Heart Gallery, Connie’s joins a growing list of local businesses, churches, and public venues committed to creating visibility for children awaiting adoption. The traveling exhibits rotate through sites like Willowbrook Mall, the Museum of Illusions, and Sam Houston Race Park—part of a growing network of dozens of permanent Heart Gallery installations across Greater Houston, with even more temporary exhibits hosted throughout the year.
BEAR is actively seeking additional locations across Harris County and surrounding counties to host the Heart Gallery. Businesses or organizations interested in participating can reach out to Jose Romero, Heart Gallery Outreach Supervisor, at Jose.Romero@harriscountytx.gov or visit BEAR’s Heart Gallery online to learn more.
As for Connie’s, the Jones Road shop continues to be a beacon of comfort—whether it’s through a warm smile, a cold custard, or an act of community love that might just help a child find the home they’ve been waiting for.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more stories that spotlight local heroes, businesses making a difference, and ways you can get involved in building a stronger Greater Houston community.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
