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For Immediate Release:
May 2, 2008
Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407
Kansas City —The Missouri Department of Social Services' Children's Division (CD) launched its third annual Missouri Traveling Adoption Heart Gallery today at the Crown Center in Kansas City. The Heart Gallery is a traveling photo exhibit of Missouri foster children awaiting adoption. This year's gallery features 238 children in 185 portraits.
"The Heart Gallery personalizes Missouri foster children and their hope to become a permanent part of a family," Gov. Matt Blunt said. "I am pleased we have been able to introduce the gallery to showcase Missouri children and help Missourians learn more about adoption opportunities in the state."
"There are so many amazing children in our state waiting for a family that can offer them the safety, security and love they need," DSS Director Deborah Scott said. "The Heart Gallery is a wonderful way for families to connect with the children. Our hope is the public will come out to see these beautiful photographs and open their hearts to the possibility of adoption."
The Heart Gallery originated in New Mexico in 2001 and has since spread to several states. Gov. Matt Blunt heard of the New Mexico gallery and approached the department about incorporating it into its recruitment activities. Gov. Matt Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt helped open the inaugural Heart Gallery to promote and encourage adoptions for children in foster care who cannot safely return home. CD partners with the Adoption Exchange-Missouri to present the gallery which features photographs taken by professional photographers across the state who donate their time and talent. The Heart Gallery will be on display in 22 different locations in 16 cities in this year's tour of the state. Since its inception in Missouri in 2006, more than 100 foster children have been placed in permanent, adoptive homes.
"The photographers are at the core of the Heart Gallery's success. Without their support and willingness to volunteer their services, the gallery would not be possible." Children's Division Director Paula Neese added. "The ability of these photographers to capture the spirit of these children is astounding."
In 2006, 1,200 Missouri foster children were adopted. Nearly 80 of those children were placed with a potential adoptive family as a result of connections made through the Heart Gallery.
The full schedule of stops can be found at http://www.dss.mo.gov.
