Heart Gallery NYC is a unique, not-for-profit organization that combines the artistic talents of notable photographers with the humanity of children in need of families and a place to call home. The project is dedicated to raising awareness about children who are living in foster care and encourages New Yorkers to make a difference in the life of a child through adoption, fostering or mentoring.

Description and/or History:
Photographers involved in the Heart Gallery project volunteer their talents by shooting portraits that help capture the individuality and spirit of each foster child. The pictures are then displayed in traveling gallery exhibits and via the Web, in the hope that prospective parents will be moved to open their hearts and homes through adoption.

The Heart Gallery was originally founded in 2001 in New Mexico by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. In January 2005, a Parade article about the project touched the hearts of millions of readers, resulting in a virtual explosion of Heart Gallery groups across America, where over 100,000 foster children are waiting to be adopted.

Later coverage included People, the Today Show, CNN, The View, USA Weekend, The New York Times and 20/20. What began as a local adoption recruitment program in New Mexico has now spread to more than 80 cities across the United States. There are currently over 100 Heart Galleries throughout the nation. Thousands of children have been matched with loving families as a direct result of Heart Gallery exhibitions.

Contact person: Laurie Sherman Graff, Executive Director, (212) 965-8699, (email)

Address:

Gracie Station, P.O Box 606 New York, NY 10028 (See a map)