Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. Volunteers with the Arizona Heart Gallery hope that each one of their pictures will bring a child in the foster-care system a gift that is priceless: a family.
"It is really amazing to be part of something where you know that taking a photograph can literally change the lives of these children: They will have someone to call Mom and Dad and a bed of their own to sleep in, and all the things that you and I take for granted but they have never known," said Kathleen Conti, 18, founder of the Arizona Heart Gallery.
The Heart Gallery is dedicated to finding forever homes for some of the state's most vulnerable foster children — particularly older and difficult-to-place children and siblings — who have no chance of being reunited with their families and no prospects for placement. The gallery is a collection of professional portraits that are posted online and showcased in a traveling exhibition designed to promote public awareness and generate personal connections between children and prospective families.
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Conti's endeavor to launch the project began after reading a 2005 Parade magazine article detailing the original program in New Mexico. The Canyon del Oro High School graduate, now in her first year at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va., had enjoyed photography from a young age and had a good friend in foster care. In an aha moment, she recognized the opportunity to do something meaningful with her hobby. The venture became a dual effort with her mother, Marie, who is now the project director.
"I had no idea there were children who could be adopted from foster care until I started this project," said Marie. "These are lovable children like the kids next door who have received a raw deal, and they just need a home."
As of March 31, nearly 9,800 children were enrolled in Arizona's foster-care system; 25.4 percent of those had a case plan goal of adoption; and 225 of them had not been placed. These are the children the Heart Gallery targets; Marie said the 43 participating states report increases of up to 70 percent in adoptions of children featured in their displays.
She said Arizona's all-volunteer project already has impacted lives: 11 of 46 children highlighted in May have been placed.
"The one thing no one could have anticipated is the ripple effect it has had throughout the community," Marie said. "It is not just the 50 children who are highlighted who might find homes, but it raises awareness about all the children in need of homes."
The project is heartwarming for everyone, according to Chris Richards of Chris Richards Photography. The former Arizona Daily Star photographer is one of more than 20 photographers statewide who have volunteered their time and skill to capture windows into the souls of these children.
Richards said he thoroughly enjoyed the hours spent with preteens to get "the shot."
"There is something wonderful about that age: They haven't toughened up into teens yet and are filled with energy on the cusp of young adulthood, and it is fun to photograph that," he said.
"As an aside, sometimes it takes awhile to get these kids really comfortable, to find a genuine smile and that light in their eyes. . . . You can tell they want to be loved, and hopefully some of this will aid in making that happen."
Tucson giving
How You Can Help
Visit the Tucson Opening of the Arizona Heart Gallery
• When: 7 p.m. Friday.
• Where: Mo's Gallery, 3650 E. Fort Lowell Road.
• Cost: Free.
The opening features a display of more than 50 professional portraits of children in the Arizona foster-care system, the opportunity to meet adoptive and foster families and appetizers courtesy of Vintabla. The exhibition will be on display at Mo's Gallery through Nov. 16; Arizona Heart Gallery is seeking galleries interested in continuing the show through the end of the year. For more information, visit the Web site at www.azheartgallery.org or call 229-0746.
