The Junior League of Tallahassee began a partnership with the Heart Gallery of North Florida during the 2009-2010 year. In the first year of partnership, the JLT Committee photographed five children to be added to the Heart Gallery of North Florida library. Through outreach activities, the JLT formed relationships with community organizations and hosted events at the Tallahassee Museum and the JLT house where foster children had an opportunity to meet League members and individuals in the community.

In 2010-2011, the JLT created the Fostering Hope / Heart Gallery Committee bridging the activities of both committees into one larger, more comprehensive effort.  In the first three months of the year, the Committee hosted seven children at Maclay Gardens, where they spent the afternoon in their own private photo shoot.  The photos taken that day will be added to the Heart Gallery of North Florida library. Each month a child that is looking for their “forever family” will be featured in the JLT newsletter and website.

Fostering Hope / Heart Gallery is focused on finding “forever families” for the children in the Heart Gallery of North Florida. Through outreach events children will have an opportunity to interact with JLT members and others in the community in an effort to introduce them to a potential adoptive family. Three events are planned for the 2010-2011 year including a Fall Festival, holiday party and an Earth Day event with special guests.

The Heart Gallery of America is a collaborative project of more than 120 Heart Galleries across the nation. The program promotes the individuality and dignity of children living in foster care in hopes of increasing the number of adoptive families. These children are photographed by professional photographers, and their portraits are displayed publically throughout the community as works of art.  The JLT is taking a leadership role in bringing this program to North Florida to help more children find their "forever families." Visit www.heartgallerynorthflorida.org to learn more.

FOSTERING HOPE - HEART GALLERY PHOTO SHOOT

MACLAY GARDENS OCTOBER 2010

2011 PUMPKIN PATCH FUN NIGHT

In October, the Fostering Hope and Heart Gallery Committee hosted a Pumpkin Patch Fun Night for children from the Tallahassee foster community to celebrate the fall season and enjoy activities such as pumpkin decorating, face painting, wagon rides, and story time. The Fostering Hope / Heart Gallery Committee members enjoyed spending the evening with the children and families.