BY HEATHER GOBLE-SORRELLS

Foster children in desperate need of a family and home have been given a voice that speaks louder than words. The Heart Gallery is a traveling gallery that showcases photos of foster children in Indiana who are in need of adoption. The Gallery was started in 2007 by the Department of Child Services and is managed and coordinated by Transform Consulting Group. Amanda Lopez, President of Transform Consulting Group, says the Gallery enables “incredible children [to] share their stories and hope of joining a family and encourage families to adopt.”

Lopez, whose parents were foster parents for almost 40 years, says, “It’s wonderful to work with the Gallery to raise awareness and explain the need for adoption of foster children in Indiana.” These children are typically older, members of a sibling group, minorities and special needs kids who deserve a forever home and family—not just a temporary foster placement.

Northview Church hosted the Heart Gallery the weekend of Oct. 19/20. On this particular weekend, Lead Pastor Steve Poe spoke in his sermon about all of us being orphans and God adopting us into His family. Lopez said this was “a great opportunity for people to take a next step in helping the orphans in their community.”

Northview hosted the Heart Gallery during Weekend Services on Oct. 19/20. The Heart Gallery showcases foster children in Indiana who need adopted. [photo by Jennifer Murphy]

Lopez says the response to the Heart Gallery at Northview was wonderful. Approximately 30 Northview families signed up to receive more information, and others took brochures and individual child photo cards. “We would love to hear that a match was made with a Northview family!” says Lopez.

Each child has their own story, their own history and needs. Their smiling faces may be hiding past hurts, feelings of abandonment, abuse and neglect by their birth family. Lopez hopes the Gallery helps increase adoption, encourages other facilities to host a Gallery and ultimately spreads the word about these children who “dream of finding a family to call their own.”

The pictures say more than the kids themselves might vocalize: love me, help me, encourage me, feed me, support me, clothe me, teach me, want me, don’t forget me and choose me.

For more information on Indiana’s Heart Gallery, please go to www.adoptachild.in.gov. There, you can see the children available for adoption. Each child has a brief biography and most have a video to view. If you have an interest or know the perfect location for a mini-gallery, please contact indianaheartgallery@dcs.in.gov.