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Foster Children Open Hearts

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By RICH SHOPES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2008

TAMPA - Adoption programs are coming into the open and to a mall near you.

For the fifth year, The Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay is traveling to malls and other venues to draw attention to foster children awaiting adoption.

About 500 children from infants to teens live in foster homes and group settings in Hillsborough. Many await permanent adoption. The yearlong traveling exhibit features 20-by-24-inch photos and brochures spotlighting 109 foster children. Many displays include "audio wands" that play messages recorded by the child.

"This takes adoption out of the shadows. For a long time it wasn't supposed to be talked about," said Carolyn Eastman, spokeswoman for the Children's Board of Hillsborough County.

The exhibit has new faces each year, but children who haven't found a family often appear again. Last year, about 40 children were matched with parents who saw the exhibit, said Jesse Miller, gallery director.

The gallery will kick off Wednesday at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, and remain there for about a month before heading to another venue. The Children's Board and Hillsborough Kids Inc. support the nonprofit gallery.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or at rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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