100 Waiting Children

The Heart Gallery of New Jersey, Inc. is a unique not-for-profit corporation dedicated to raising awareness about foster children available for adoption. Through the volunteer efforts of some of the country's most prestigious photographers, portraits are taken that help capture the individuality and spirit of each foster child who is eligible to be adopted. These photographs are then shared via the web and through gallery exhibits in the hope that potential families will be moved to inquire about adoption.

Don't miss the Heart Gallery's opening night video!

We're pleased to introduce you to Khalil and the other 99 children who comprise the "100 Waiting Children", a Heart Gallery of New Jersey Special Exhibition. These children have lived in the New Jersey foster system the longest. Most are well into their teens and still long for permanent homes before they turn 18 years old. With the new addition of video bios, we think you'll be amazed by their maturity, strength and overall, a longing for a forever family.

Meet Khalil :

Marc
© 2007 Martin Schoeller

Khalil learned to roller skate when he was 7. It didn't come easy to him. He fell plenty of times. But he kept getting back up.

"After a while, I got the hang of it," he said. "It's fun."

Now, Khalil is a young teen. He's not sure how many foster families he has stayed with, and it has been quite some time since he has seen his two brothers and two sisters.

Soft-spoken and shy, Khalil is a diligent student. "You learn things and improve yourself," he said. He considers himself neat and respectful.

His proudest achievement is making the honor roll. That's something he's done often, he said. Math is his favorite subject and someday he would like to be an accountant. Khalil likes to read and watch movies. He's taking a drama class. His favorite role? It was playing a judge. He even had a gavel to bang.

If someone gave him $1 million, Khalil says he wouldn't keep the money. "I'd give it to someone who needs it," he said.

Now that you've met Khalil, why not take a moment to meet the rest of the 100 Waiting Children?

DYFS Severs Ties With HGNJ

Effectively immediately, the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Serives has severed ties with the HGNJ "because it is changing its foster home recruiting strategy," according to spokesperson Lauren Kidd. As a result, the HGNJ is not able to update the status of available children.

To learn more about adoption in New Jersey, click here.

To share your experiences, success stories, and DYFS challenges with the HGNJ, please e-mail us.  

To contact DYFS to share your thoughts click here.

To contact your congressman to share your thoughts click here.

To comment on the Star Ledger newspaper article click here.

Latest News

N.J. child welfare agency ends relationship with nonprofit Heart Gallery

July 22nd, 2010

The Division of Youth and Family services has chosen to sever ties with the Heart Gallery of New Jersey. Star Ledger reporter Sue Livio reported, "New Jersey’s child welfare agency has severed its five-year relationship with the Heart Gallery, a nonprofit company that created nationally acclaimed traveling photo exhibits featuring hundreds of foster children in need of a permanent home, state officials confirmed.

While crediting the Heart Gallery with helping locate sorely-needed foster and adoptive parents, the Division of Youth and Family Services ended the relationship this month because it is changing its foster home recruiting strategy, according to Lauren Kidd, spokeswoman for DYFS’ parent agency, the Department of Children and Families. "

Read the entire article here.

A NOTE FROM THE HGNJ: The HGNJ has been a tireless supporter for New Jersey's foster children and their desire to find forever families since our inception. We will continue to find new and unique ways to raise awarness that results into action to help these vulnerable children.

We will seek out nonprofits and other groups working with these children and partner with them as we believe, EVERY CHILD DESERVES A FAMILY.

- more news -

Take action

Here are some things you can do right now to get involved!