During National Foster Care Month in May, Heart Gallery of Missouri will have a display available for public view at Crown Center from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 18.

Watch a video on Vimeo

Visit the Heart Gallery of Missouri website

About the Gallery

The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department founded the Heart Gallery in 2001 as a way to allow children in foster care awaiting adoptive families to step from the shadows into the light. Stirring portraits, which reveal the children's amazing spirits and individuality, have helped many find permanent, loving homes.

The display will be featured in many public venues where people who have not considered adoption will be exposed to the opportunity. It doesn't show every single child who needs a home, but serves as a compelling representation of the many Missouri children who are looking for forever families. Onsite at the Heart Gallery exhibition is information and help for prospective adoptive and foster parents begin the process.

The Numbers:

Last year, Missouri had 10,317 children in out of home placements: foster homes, relative placements and residential institutions (group homes).

The State of Missouri has approximately 1,400 children waiting for an adoption placement, with the older children always the most difficult to place.

• 5% 0-1 year
• 25% 1-5 years
• 20% 6-10 years
• 28% 11-15 years
• 18% 16-18 years
• 4% over 18 years

Length of Stay in foster care: Just under 2 years (725.5 days).

Last year 64% of children in foster homes were adopted by their non-relative foster parents.