LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – It’s been more than three months since the Heart Gallery East Texas program began. The program is a traveling exhibition of portraits brought to you by the nonprofit organization Fostering Collective, highlighting East Texas children in need of loving homes. Executive Director Justin Hayes said there has been an outpouring of support from the community since the service launched.
“Right now, we have portraits in Smith, Gregg and Titus counties. We’re in the process of doing portraits in Harrison and Rusk counties,” Hayes said.
Portraits are meant to represent children as they really are. The hope is that people who view these galleries will connect with them.
“When you think of children in foster care or children who come from difficult environments, there are certain things that come to mind, and you may have a particular image of what those children are like. “No,” Hayes said.
And for those who want to know more about their story, each portrait has a QR code that viewers can scan to read more information about the child’s background, interests, personality, and dreams .
“These are normal kids in your community, in your school. They’re great, great kids… They need families,” Hayes says.
Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara is one of many people interested in telling children stories. The theme is a place not far from home. Mayor Ishihara, who is also an adoptive mother, says this is a cause close to her heart.
“Brianna was kicked out of her home at 6 months old due to abuse, spent 2 1/2 years in foster care, and was adopted by us when she was 3 years old. We have been together for 10 years,” says Ishihara.
Mayor Ishihara said his experience with his daughter taught him how life-changing the connections and support can be for children in the system.
“That’s every child’s dream. So when you have a family gifting you a photo of their child, you can see the child in need and how integrated the child is in the family, and it speaks more directly to the heart.” I think it will become a thing.”
The placement of galleries in the Longview community, from Longview City Hall to her church and law office, is something the mayor hopes to reach residents.
“I know the people of East Texas give so much when asked, and I just want them to understand that this is something that is needed in our community. I want you to do that,” Ishihara says.
Of the approximately 1,200 children in foster care in East Texas, about 200 are available for adoption, according to the Fostering Collective.
If you would like to host a Heart Gallery or see which children are available for adoption, please email hello@heartgalleryetx.org or visit Heart Gallery East Texas.
Copyright 2024 KLTV. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
