Gallery seeks to link kids with adoptive parents

The Heart Gallery, an exhibit of professionally taken photographs of Missouri foster children awaiting adoption, will be on display at the Maryville Public Library from 9:30 a.m.-6 p .m. Monday, July 16, through Tuesday, July 17.

The 2012 Heart Gallery features 184 children depicted in 149 images. It was organized by the state Department of Social Services (Children's Division) and Adoption Exchange of Missouri.

The concept for a gallery of images of children in need of adoptive homes was developed several years ago in New Mexico and has since spread to several states. Missouri began its own Heart Gallery project in 2006.

DSS officials have described the gallery as a collection of "stirring portraits, which reveal the children's amazing spirit and individuality."

Since the first Missouri gallery went on tour six years ago, nearly 200 of children featured in exhibit photographs have found permanent homes.

The Missouri Heart Gallery website is located at www.moheartgallery.org and contains information about becoming a foster or adoptive parent. The site also includes portraits of youngsters awaiting to be taken in by "forever families" along with a a toll-free number for prospective parents seeking more information.

Locally, interested families can call Marla Prtizel or Roxann Powell-Brown at the Nodaway County DSS Children's Division office at (660) 582-3141