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For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2007
Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407
Jefferson City – Gov. Matt Blunt today issued a proclamation declaring November as Adoption Awareness Month in Missouri and celebrated the Heart Gallery’s success in finding homes for Missouri’s foster children.
“It is simple to say, but entirely true: children need love. They need parents who will teach them the difference between right and wrong, and parents who love them enough both to give affection and to be firm,” Blunt said. “Foster children are no different. They come from difficult circumstances, but like every other child in our state, they deserve encouragement and opportunities to succeed. And the best way to provide foster children with opportunity is to find strong, caring adoptive parents who can give them the support they need.”
The Heart Gallery is an exhibit of professional photographs of Missouri children who are awaiting adoption. The Missouri Heart Gallery featured heartwarming photos of 240 children and was featured on display at 23 venues in 11 cities over the last six months. Gov. Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt helped open the inaugural Heart Gallery and are strong supporters of the program.
The Heart Gallery promotes and encourages adoptions for children in foster care who can not safely return home. Photographers from across the state donate their services to capture pictures of foster children in more natural surroundings that feature their interests and personalities.
In 2006, the Heart Gallery found potential adoptive parents for 27 Missouri foster children, and this year the Heart Gallery has helped find potential adoptive parents for another 61 children. In just a year and a half, the Heart Gallery has helped find potential parents for 88 Missouri children.
Approximately 2,000 Missouri children are in the foster care system daily, waiting for a safe, loving and permanent home. For more information about adoption in Missouri visit www.dss.mo.gov/cd.
