Heart Gallery of America/Forever Family

Heart Gallery of Florida

In collaboration with the Governor's Explore Adoption campaign, all Heart Galleries from around the state participated in a collaborative exhibit to provide much needed exposure to the issue of adoption. Collectively, this exhibit brings the faces and voices of thousands of waiting children into the hearts and homes of Florida citizens. Florida is proud to lead the nation in the development of new Heart Galleries accounting for unprecedented successes achieved in finding loving homes for our children in foster care

Heart Gallery of America

The Heart Gallery of America is a collaborative project of over 120 Heart Galleries across the United States (and growing) designed to increase the number of adoptive families for children needing homes in our community. Now, in its eighth year, The Heart Gallery model is being replicated in many communities across the country.

www.heartgalleryofamerica.org

HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROJECT

Corporate Support:

Protecting children and strengthening families is the responsibility of every member of the community. Fostering and adopting a child may not be an option for everyone, however, there are many ways to help a child or family in need in your community.

How Your Group or Business Can Help

You can sponsor the Heart Gallery:

* Underwrite the expense of traveling the exhibit

* Underwrite a Heart Gallery Opening

* Feature a foster or adoptive parent recruitment campaign in your company/ organization newsletter

* Host the Heart Gallery exhibit at your location

You can provide free services for foster/adoptive families, such as:

* Free haircuts, dental care, periodic maid service, tailoring

* Free services based on occupation/business: construction, counseling, home furnishings, family dinners at  restaurants, mechanic services

* Free scholarships/lessons for summer camp, sports teams, dance, art or music

* Providing jobs or internships for older youth

You or your organization can contribute money or donate goods:

* For scholarships, summer camps, field trips, or music lessons

* For holidays, birthdays, and graduations

* Family needs such as car seats, high chairs, toys, luggage, or clothes

* Sponsor individual children as a company

* Host social events for foster/adoptive parents (picnics, parties, bowling)

Individual Support:

It is our heartfelt hope that visitors to the Heart Gallery will be touched and will take steps, if not to adopt, then to help in one of many other ways to improve the life of a child in care.

How You Can Help

You can help children and their families by:

* Volunteering as a life-skills tutor (cooking, computer skills, sewing, money management)

* Providing school supplies (books, pencils, book bags, paper)

* Mentoring a child or the entire family

* Starting or volunteering for an after-school program.

* Become a foster parent, provide emergency shelter, be a respite foster parent

* Talk to your faith based organization about sponsoring a Heart Gallery exhibit or event

Support agencies and the court system by:

* Recruiting foster/adoptive parents in your community

* Becoming a Guardian ad Litem (court appointed advocate for children) www.guardianadlitem.org

Make a donation:

* Donate in honor or memory of a friend or family member

* Donate new or lightly used clothing

* Select a child from the gallery and support his/her needs for a year

* Make a general donation

* Volunteer for the Heart Gallery

Mailing Address Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay
Children's Board of Hillsborough County
1002 East Palm Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605 

http://www.heartgallerykids.org/