Nobody likes waiting. But imagine waiting for something really important — like parents. About 1,500 foster children and youths in Sacramento County find themselves in exactly this situation … They are waiting for permanent homes through adoption or guardianship.

The Heart Gallery of Sacramento debuted in November 2005 with a display at the Sacramento State Library Gallery to help these young hearts find their way home. The Heart Gallery is an inspiring collection of photographic portraits for those children who are most in need of homes. They are specially selected because they are older, are part of sibling groups who should be adopted together, or have special needs.

The professional-quality photographs are designed to capture the unique spirit and personality of each child, capturing the special qualities of each child for prospective parents. Beyond highlighting individual children, the Heart Gallery serves a vital function in educating the community about the need for adoptive families, and the effort has been highly successful. As of January 2007, 55 percent of the children featured in the first event had found permanent homes.

The Heart Gallery of Sacramento is a collaboration between Sacramento County Child Protective Services, California State University-Sacramento, Sierra Adoption Services, Lilliput Children’s Services, Sacramento Court Appointed Special Advocates, and community friends.

You can see the faces of the Heart Gallery this year Nov 3-23 at the Gold Rush History Center in Old Sacramento. The Main Event reception will be held on Nov 3rd. Admission is free from 6-8pm.

How You Can Help

Consider adoption
Adoption is a great way to expand or start a family. It costs nothing and financial assistance is available for most families. If you want to know more about a Heart Gallery child or need information about adoption, call the Sacramento County Foster Home Licensing Department at 916-875-5543 (875-5KID).

Make a donation to the Heart Gallery
Make your check payable to Sacramento CASA (the organization administering donations) and mail to: P.O. Box 278383, Sacramento, CA 95827-8383. Your gifts are tax-deductible.

Be a volunteer
For information visit www.sacheartgallery.org

Be an exhibitor
Heart Gallery photos are designed to be easy to transport and hang.

For more information about the Heart Gallery of Sacramento, call 916-217-1552 or visit www.sacheartgallery.org.