Focus displays portraits of foster children seeking adoption

It’s easy for children with loving parents to take their lives for granted.

Some 550 foster children in Colorado would love to have just a taste of that love and security, and Focus on the Family is trying to help them get it.

On Thursday, Focus’ Welcome Center began displaying 90 portraits of 102 foster children through an event sponsored by the Colorado Heart Gallery, a division of the State Department of Human Services in Denver. These children have failed to find adoptive parents for one reason or another. Some have special needs, while others are in their mid-teens, ages typically passed over by couples wanting to adopt. The display continues through Jan. 31.

“These children have their own unique story, but they have a common goal and that is to have their own family,” said Sharen Ford,, a Colorado Heart Gallery official.

The U.S. Department of Human Services started the Heart Gallery in 2005 to find homes for foster children. Its differs from other foster outreach programs in that it uses professionally shot portraits to capture the children’s personality and interests. Portraits might show a child painting, playing sports or gazing sheepishly into the camera lens.

Each portrait is accompanied by a card that gives a short biography of the child, along with a phone number that couples can call for more information on the adoption process. The children range in age from 5 to 17.

Ford anticipates a large turnout at the gallery because it’s being held at Focus’ Welcome Center.

“It’s a place where families are always welcome,” Ford said, “and sometimes parents start thinking about adopting in that environment.”

Over the years, Focus has partnered several times with Heart Gallery on foster care adoption efforts. A year ago, Focus launched Wait No More, a foster care adoption information event held at four Colorado churches.

State adoption authorities have credited Wait No More and Heart Gallery for helping about 200 Colorado foster children find adoptive parents over the past 12 months.

“We have a love and passion for these orphans,” said Kelly Rosati, senior director of Focus’ sanctity for human life division.

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Heart Gallery of Colorado

What: Portraits of 102 foster children looking to be adopted

Where: Focus on the Family Welcome Center, 8655 Explorer Drive

When: Today through Jan. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays

Cost: Free

More information: 531-3400

Call the writer at 636-0367. For more religion news, go to Mark Barna's blog, The Pulpit, at www.thepulpit.freedomblogging.com.