News
Heart Gallery in Trenton
June 1, 2008
For the first three weeks in June, the Heart Gallery will be on display in Trenton.
Shiloh Baptist Church
340 Rev. S. Howard Woodson, Jr. Way
Trenton, NJ 08618
Hope you can join us!
HGNJ Writeup in Bergen Record
May 30, 2008
Record columnist Lawrence Aaron:
Working with child welfare agencies in many states, the Heart Gallery project organizes photo sessions so that creative portraits of children in foster care can be taken and displayed for the purpose of finding adoptive homes for them.
The photos are featured in newspapers, bilboards, traveling exhibits, and on the Web site of the Heart Gallery.
They smile engagingly like any young people who might be invited to your kid's birthday party. In addition to the attractive smiles, the kids in the pictures have something else in common. They are trying to get adopted.
Read the full article.
Heart Gallery in Paterson
May 2, 2008
Come see the Heart Gallery:
Calvary Baptist Church
575 East 18th Street
Paterson, NJ 07514
For more information, call 973-278-1846. The show runs until May 30th...hope to see you there!
Heart Gallery in Somerset
March 31, 2008
On the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., The First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens and Harvest of Hope Family Services Network, Inc. present the Heart Gallery and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) most recent project, "100 Waiting Children."
The opening is this Friday, April 4, at 6:00PM at The First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset St., Somerset, NJ.
There's still plenty of time to RSVP...we'd love to see you there!
HGNJ thanks The Church of Saint Paul the Apostle
March 24, 2008
This Easter weekend, the parishoners at The Church of Saint Paul the Apostle in New York donated more than 100 Easter baskets to foster kids featured in the Heart Gallery of New Jersey. The baskets were blessed on Palm Sunday and delivered to DYFS offices for distribution to the kids.
The Heart Gallery would like to extend a very sincere thank you to our new friends for their kindness and generosity. If you have a moment, please check out the slideshow!
Asbury Park Press announces daily feature of HG children
March 2, 2008
The Asbury Park Press, along with a front page feature in today's paper, has announced that they will publish a photo every day from the Heart Gallery of New Jersey in hopes of finding the children adoptive parents.
Please join us in thanking the staff of the APP, and don't miss their wonderful writeup!
The HGNJ is Coming to Orange!
February 9, 2008
Reverend Reginald T. Jackson and First Lady Christy Davis Jackson, in partnership with the Heart Gallery of New Jersey, invite you to the opening of the 100 Waiting Children Exhibit at St. Matthew's AME Church in Orange, NJ.
The opening is taking place Saturday, March 1st, from 4pm to 6pm.
If you're interested in attending, we'd love to have you. For more details, click the image above. To attend the reception, please click here to RSVP.
Giant friends of the Heart Gallery
February 3, 2008
The Heart Gallery of New Jersey wishes to extend our heartiest congratulations to the World Champion New York Giants!
While their Super Bowl victory was certainly impressive, so too is the friendship and support the Giants organization has provided to the Heart Gallery over the years.
For the past three holiday seasons, the Giants have hosted a Jingle Jam for New Jersey's foster kids - a truly spectacular event in which the kids get to have some fun, meet their heroes, and go home with arms full of exciting Christmas gifts.
Read the Star-Ledger coverage of some past years' Jingle Jams here and here, and see some photos here and here.
Go Big Blue!
HGNJ Featured on CBS Early Show
January 29, 2008
Click below to watch this teriffic piece on the Heart Gallery of New Jersey, or read the print version.
You can check out some of the other media coverage we've gotten by visiting our Press Room.
Grand Opening is a Great Success!
January 16, 2008
Friday, January 11th, marked the grand opening of the Heart Gallery of New Jersey's 100 Waiting Children exhibit at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ.
Our thanks to all who attended, and all who helped make it possible. We are getting record numbers of inquiries about the kids, but we need to do better.
Take a look at some photos of the opening, and find out what you can do to help.
Preparing for the Grand Opening
January 9, 2008
HGNJ Director of Production Jeff Rhode works on hanging photos for the Grand Opening of the Heart Gallery of New Jersey's 100 Waiting Children exhibit.
All are welcome to attend the opening and reception this Friday, January 11th, at 6:30 PM at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ.
There's still time to RSVP!
One week until the opening!
January 4, 2008
Next Friday, January 11th, is the Grand Opening of the Heart Gallery of New Jersey's 100 Waiting Children exhibit. The opening will take place at 6:30 PM at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ.
All are welcome to attend...we'd love to have you!
Please note - we have been experiencing some problems with our P.O. Box, and some of your RSVPs may have been inadvertently returned to you due to a post office handling error. If your RSVP was returned to you, please email us at info@heartgallerynj.com.
Another HGNJ Success Story!
December 23, 2007
Some of you may remember Master, a young man who had been in foster care for nine of his 13 years, and who finally found a home as a result of being featured in the Heart Gallery.
We are thrilled to report that Master's new family has just finalized adoption of another Heart Gallery child, Rayshawn -- who just happens to be Master's cousin. Please take a moment to read the Star-Ledger's coverage of this amazing and uplifting story.
Ringing in the holidays with the Jingle Jam
December 17, 2007
Each holiday season, the Giants host approximately 850 local foster children and their guardians in the team's practice bubble for a funfest complete with: music, favorite children's foods, interactive football games, magicians, face painters, clowns, Geoffrey the Toys R US Giraffe and numerous members of the team. Players give the kids tours of Giants Stadium, and local firefighters give kids rides around the stadium in their rigs!
However, the biggest surprise is saved for last, as it should be, when some of the largest Santas in recorded history enter the room to distribute presents from the team. Several members of the Giants play Santa for the children, handing out brand new toys from Toys R' Us, new Giants winter coats from Reebok, and a Giants backpack to each and every child.
Sponsor the Heart Gallery!
December 5, 2007
There are still a few sponsorship opportunities left for the upcoming "100 Waiting Children" special exhibition, as well as advertising space in our souvenir program.
If you or your organization are interested in receiving a copy of the sponsorship package and advertising information, email us at info@heartgallerynj.com requesting it and we'll get it right out to you.
Grand Opening Exhibition is January 11th!
November 13, 2007
We are pleased to announce the grand opening exhibition of the 100 Waiting Children gallery will take place Friday, January 11th, 2008.
For more details, click the image above. To attend the reception, please click here.
Final Heart Gallery shoot is complete!
August 18, 2007
The last of four Heart Gallery shoots took place on Saturday August 18th, at the Paterson museum. The next step will be a group edit session to determine which photos are selected for the gallery.
At this time, we are planning to open the show in November, to coincide with Natioanl Adoption Month.
If you would like the Heart Gallery of New Jersey exhibit to travel to your venue, please contact Janina Scheytt Hecht.
Update on 2007 photo shoots
July 27, 2007
Today's Newark Star-Ledger features a story about the 2007 Heart Gallery photo shoots that have been taking place this summer.
World-reknowned photographers such as Martin Schoeller, Stewart Shining, and Amy Arbus have volunteered their time and talent to photograph the 100 Waiting Children, and Heart Gallery coroporate sponsor Johnson & Johnson has gone above and beyond, donating not only gifts and necessities to the kids, but volunteering their New Brunswick offices to host one of our shoots.
At this time, we are planning one more photo shoot, after which begins the preparation for the gallery opening and new website launch this fall.
And as always, if you would like to help the Heart Gallery, we welcome donations, or to schedule a Heart Gallery of New Jersey exhibit at your venue, please contact Janina Scheytt Hecht.
Photo shoots are underway
July 3, 2007
Saturday, June 16th marked the first Heart Gallery photo shoot to spotlight the 100 Waiting Children, New Jersey's kids who have been in the foster care system the longest and are legally free for adoption.
Henry - one of the more than 30 kids we photographed that day - has lived in foster homes around the state since he was an infant. He has six siblings, and though he hasn't seen them, he misses them deeply.
"I don't know their names. I don't know their faces. I wonder how they look. I think about it almost every day," he said.
We'll be displaying a portrait of Henry as part of a gallery of the 100 Waiting Children some time this fall. If you have a venue and would like to schedule an exhibit of our photographs, please contact Janina Scheytt Hecht for more information.
100 Waiting Children
June 13, 2007
The Heart Gallery of New Jersey is launching its newest project to focus attention on local children who are in danger of aging out of the foster care system and at risk of losing their last opportunities to become members of loving, stable families. This Saturday, June 16th in Newark, nationally published photographers will volunteer their time to take portraits of New Jersey's children who have been in the foster care system the longest and are legally free for adoption.
The children, representatives from NJ's Division of Children and Families, the Heart Gallery and the volunteer photographers will be available for interview during the day as the photo shoots occur. If you're a member of the media, please contact Janina Scheytt Hecht for more information.
And new photos mean a new gallery show coming soon. To schedule a Heart Gallery of New Jersey exhibit at your venue, please contact Janina.
Master is home!
May 25, 2007
We received some wonderful news from adoptive father Michael M. about Master. In an email, Michael told us "Master is finally ours. This is a happy day for us all." As of 9:15 yesterday morning, the adoption was finalized, and Master is now with his forever family.
The Newark Star-Ledger did some great work chronicling Master's long and heartbreaking journey as well as its joyous resolution.
And when you're done reading, why not take a minute to meet some of the other Heart Gallery kids?
Our 85th adoption finalized!
April 5, 2007
The Heart Gallery has exciting news to report! Kayeisha, like 84 Heart Gallery children before her, has at long last found her forever family.
After nearly 12 years in the foster care system, this young math whiz and basketball player had her adoption finalized today at the Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack.
Kayeisha was photographed for the Heart Gallery by Beth Balbierz of the Bergen Record, and her photo (see above) was featured on the cover of the Heart Gallery brochure, as well as on the invitation to our grand opening at the Liberty Science Center.
We couldn't be happier that Kayeisha has found a loving home and family, and we wish them all the best in their new lives together.
Jingle Jam a huge success!
December 20, 2006
On Monday, December 18th, more than 700 foster children from all over New Jersey traveled to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford to "kick off" the holidays.
The second annual Jingle Jam, presented by the Heart Gallery of New Jersey and the New York Giants was an evening of food, fun, and face painting - complete with some special appearances from New York Giants players, as well as the holidays' MVP, Santa Claus himself.
Thanks to the generosity of the Giants organization (not to mention the players themselves), kids didn't just leave with smiles and great memories...they also took home Giants sweatshirts and jackets, duffel bags, toys, clothing, and many other great gifts.
Read the Star-Ledger coverage or take a look at some photos of this wonderful event.
Make a foster child's Wish come true
December 1, 2006
It's as easy as point and click...use your mouse to brighten the holidays for New Jersey's Heart Gallery kids by sending them a gift from the Heart Gallery Wish List on Amazon.com.
For as little as $5, you can send some clothing or a toy to children who desperately need some light in their lives this holiday season. Check out the list today, and help spread the good cheer!
Aging Out
November 12, 2006
As you may or may not know, foster children who are not adopted by the time they turn 18 are, as ABC's 20/20 put it, "released into the world, to do the best they can." The term for this is "aging out." If you or someone you know is a former foster child who aged out, the Heart Gallery would love to hear from you.
It is our hope that sharing these stories with children who are currently on the verge of aging out could prove to be enormously helpful to them. If you would like to share your story with us, please contact the Heart Gallery today.
One Year Later
July 24, 2006
It's been only one year since the first Heart Gallery of New Jersey opened at the Liberty Science Center and with a lot of hard work, the Heart Gallery has made a huge impact on the lives New Jersey's children.
Of the 368 orphans photographed for the 2006 heart gallery, 35 have been adopted. Many of the children were adopted by their foster parents, some by families DYFS matched them with, and two (Ashley and Asia) by families who found them through the Heart Gallery. These numbers may not seem high to some but remember, these were the children the state of New Jersey considered their "hardest to place."
The good news continues. 95 HGNJ children are now living with families who are in the process of adopting them. Of those 95, 12 were placed as a direct result of the Heart Gallery. Another 50 children have been matched with families (18 of which came through the Heart Gallery) and those families are going through visitations with the children, learning their history and exploring a placement in their homes.
We're now talking with DYFS about producing a 2007 Heart Gallery. Nothing has been finalized, but our hope is that photo shoots will start in the fall and that we'll open the new gallery before the end of the year. The Heart Gallery would not exist without the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers, corporate sponsors, individual donors, and DYFS employees...their numbers are too many to list here, but each has our eternal gratitude.
You, too, can be a part of the future success of the Heart Gallery. If you'd like to help us help New Jersey's foster kids, it all starts with a single click.
Wonderful news!
June 29, 2006
Six months after he was prominently featured in a Newark Star-Ledger story written as part of the flood of media interest generated by the Heart Gallery, Master has found his forever family.
Read more about this happy ending, and find out how you can help us help more kids achieve that same important goal.
Tell us your Heart Gallery story
May 26, 2006
If you are in the process of adopting a child as a result of the Heart Gallery, we would like to stay in touch with you! Please send the Heart Gallery an email and let us know how things are going, even if the adoption is not finalized yet.
Every success story (or story on its way to success) provides a major boost to the Heart Gallery's efforts to help kids find their forever families...please send us yours today!
Newark Airport exhibit dates have changed!
March 18, 2006
The Heart Gallery photos will be on display in Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport, running from April 1st - May 31st. Hope to see you there!
Two new Heart Gallery exhibitions
January 10, 2006
If you haven't had the opportunity to see the Heart Gallery exhibit in person, now is your chance, as we proudly announce two new venues.
The first will be open to the public during business hours at the North Fork Bank located at 9 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood. The exhibition will run for the week of Monday, January 19th through Saturday, January 28th.
The second is in Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport and it runs from January 15th to March 31st.
Come on down, and bring a friend!
Heart Gallery and the NFL's New York Giants Host Jingle Jam
December 19, 2005
On Sunday, December 18th, nearly 1,000 foster children from all over the state of New Jersey gathered at Giants Stadium for a holiday party unlike any other.
Working hand-in-hand with the Heart Gallery of New Jersey, the New York Giants threw their first ever Jingle Jam, complete with clowns, magicians, face-painters, and nearly 20 Giants players, all giving of themselves to make a foster child's holiday just a little brighter.
The kids experienced a great day, had tons of fun and laughs, and even got to meet some of their heroes...but most importantly, they didn't leave empty-handed. Each child received a new winter coat, a new duffle bag, and brand new toys for Christmas, all courtesy of the New York Giants organization.
Click here to read the Giants' wrap-up, here to read the Star-Ledger's front page coverage, and here to see some photos of this wonderful event.
Help us make the holidays happy for foster children
November 27, 2005
The Heart Gallery is holding a holiday drive to buy a coat, scarf, gloves and a toy for thousands of children in foster care. Already we've collected thousands of duffle bags for kids who move from home to home carrying their belongings in garbage bags. Now we need to fill those duffle bags, so we can give them to the kids at the holiday party we're planning.
We are looking for individuals and corporate sponsors who will donate to the Heart Gallery so that we can give the children a few things they desperately need. If you can contribute, even if it it's just a few dollars, you can put a smile on the face of a foster child. Click here to donate money, or here to purchase an item for a child from an Amazon.com Wish List.
Foster their hearts!
October 31, 2005
Did you know that the majority of foster kids in New Jersey carry all their worldly possessions around in a black plastic garbage bag?
With your kindness and generosity, we hope to be able to give them the small dignity of a duffle bag or backpack. But that's not all. Many of these children are in dire need of even the most simple things that most of us take for granted. Click the image below to find out how you can help.
HGNJ children to be featured in National Heart Gallery
October 18, 2005
Several children from the Heart Gallery of New Jersey have been selected for inclusion in the first ever National Heart Gallery, an exhibit highlighting the work done by child advocates committed to Heart Gallery children around the country.
Portraits of Davon and Christopher will be on display at Washington DC's Union Station from November 1st to the 13th, while Evander and brothers Shaquan & Darius will be featured at the Russell Senate Office Building from November 1st to the 4th.
For more information on the National Heart Gallery, click here.
Heart Gallery receives non-profit status!
October 3, 2005
The Heart Gallery of New Jersey is now officially a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. That means any and all donations you make to the HGNJ are now fully tax-deductible. Hundreds of New Jersey kids desperately need your help...so why not take this opportunity to contribute? You can mail us a check, or send your support with the click of a button via PayPal.
Thanks for all you do for the Heart Gallery.
Paper Mill Playhouse to host Heart Gallery
September 23, 2005
From October 19th to December 4th, the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ will feature 75 photographs from the Heart Gallery. The exhibit will be on display in the Renee Foosaner Art Gallery located on the theatre's mezzanine level throughout the run of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Admission to the gallery is free, and does not require a theatre ticket.
Click here for more!
Heart Gallery to be featured on ABC's 20/20
August 11, 2005
This Friday, August 12, at 10 PM, Bob Brown reports on the Heart Gallery project, which is changing the lives of children one photograph at a time.
Check your local listings!
Tell us your adoption story!
July 30, 2005
If you have adopted one of the kids featured in the Heart Gallery, we'd love to hear all about it! Please send us an email with all the details.
Heart Gallery exhibit opens at multiple Summit venues
July 29, 2005
Friday, July 29th marked the opening of The Heart Gallery in Summit, NJ. More than 300 portraits in a traveling exhibit are on display at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, domogallery, Overlook Hospital, and the Summit train station. Click here to see some photos.
This is the second stop of a multi-city tour of these extraordinary and touching portraits. The Heart Gallery of New Jersey celebrated its debut on June 11, 2005 at the Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, with Acting Governor Richard Codey and more than 1200 people in attendance.
Volunteers needed!
July 21, 2005
The Heart Gallery is in dire need of volunteers to help prepare the upcoming show at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit.
If you are available to help us hang photos and bios Tuesday, July 26th or Thursday, July 28th, please email Janina Hecht. If you are not available those days, there are still plenty of other ways you can help.
Heart Gallery exhibit opens at Cherry Hill Public Library
July 8, 2005
Over 100 supporters, including local politicians, religious leaders, and other dignitaries were on hand for the opening night of the Heart Gallery's run at the Cherry Hill Public Library in Cherry Hill, NJ.
This smaller, traveling version of the larger show still on view at the Liberty Science Center features 70 images of New Jersey kids in need of "forever families." The images grace the walls of three floors of this thriving brand new facility, which is enjoying considerable popularity in the Philadelphia suburb.
The Heart Gallery hopes that these images, some of which were captured by South Jersey and Philadelphia area photographers, will be seen by thousands during the show's run, which ends July 23.
Click here to see some photos of the preparation of the exhibit, and the finished product.
Heart Gallery run extended at Liberty Science Center
June 18, 2005
The Liberty Science Center has agreed to extend the Heart Gallery's run until July 21st. Please come on down and see it!
Heart Gallery exhibit opens at Liberty Science Center
June 11, 2005
More than 1,000 people including New Jersey Governor Richard Codey attended the grand opening of the Heart Gallery of New Jersey Saturday night, June 11 at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City.
Joining Governor Codey were the numerous photographers and reporters who created photos and bios of the more than 300 foster children featured in the exhibit, as well as the hundreds of other volunteers, sponsors, and contributors who helped make the project possible.
The show will remain on view to the public at Liberty Science Center through June 29 July 21st, and will travel around the state in the weeks and months to follow.
Click here to see some photos of the event.
New Heart Gallery video is online
June 10, 2005
Click here to watch it!
Actresses Nicole Kidman, Rosie O'Donnell, and Susan Sarandon endorse Heart Gallery efforts
June 1, 2005
As word spreads about The Heart Gallery, more and more unique individuals in the entertainment community are seizing the opportunity to help give voice to foster youth.
Star-Ledger donates Pulitzer Prize money to Heart Gallery
May 26th, 2005
The Star-Ledger, New Jersey's largest newspaper and winner of a Pulitzer Prize this year for its coverage of Governor James McGreevey's resignation, has donated its cash prize to the Heart Gallery.
Not only did newsroom members elect to donate their $10,000 in winnings, but the newspaper matched the donation with an additional $10,000.
"We were just overwhelmed," said Heart Gallery President Najlah Feanny. "We've had the most tremendous support from the Star-Ledger and their newsroom writers and editors since the start of this project, but this truly goes above and beyond."