Heart Gallery Alabama is based on a simple principle. We recruit professional photographers to take meaningful and unique portraits of Alabama's waiting children. The portraits are on display in a variety of venues where prospective adoptive parents can learn more about these special children. The goal is for each child to find his or her "Forever Family."

ADOPTION AWARENESS:
The Primary Goal of HEART GALLERY ALABAMA is to raise adoption awareness. Of the 6,000 children currently in Alabama's foster care system, 600 are waiting for a forever family. Many of these children have been neglected, abused, or abandoned. Some have special needs. They all long for a family.

FOSTER PARENTING:
Foster parents play an important role in the path of adoption. They offer a safe haven to a child who has experienced neglect, abuse and abandonment. HEART GALLERY ALABAMA works with the Alabama Department of Human Resources ( http://www.dhr.state.al.us) to recruit foster parents for children . . .children who are part of a sibling group, children who have special needs and older children.

SIBLING GROUPS:
The bond between brothers and sisters is unique. For most of us, it is the longest sustained relationship we have in our lives - longer than the parent/child or even the husband/wife bond. HEART GALLERY ALABAMA strives to keep children from being separated from the only family they have ever known - their siblings.

OLDER CHILDREN:
Older children, by reason of their age alone, are difficult to place. Teenagers who have grown up in the foster care system often feel rejected and insecure. HEART GALLERY ALABAMA works to help these teenagers express their inner beauty, so that they an find a loving home.

SPECIAL NEEDS:
It is estimated that between 30 - 50% of all children seeking adoption have development disabilities. Families who wish to adopt a special needs child are aware of the special joy that a "challenged" child can bring to a family. HEART GALLERY ALABAMA seeks to help connect special needs children with loving families.

View the Childrens Portraits