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Foster Kids Hoping For A Family Strike A Pose

CORAL GABLES (CBS4) – They say a picture is worth a thousand words but the pictures that cover the walls of the Coral Gables Museum are worth a lot more than that.

The portraits are part of the Children Trust's Heart Gallery, an annual photo exhibit which showcases children living in foster care that are available for adoption.

"There are 44 children, 38 portraits," Modesto Abety-Gutierrez, The Children's Trust CEO told CBS4's Nicole Maristany. "We celebrate these kids for their courage. Kids that are 16, 17 still want that permanent family forever. That's what they want. This program helps them get that."

A team of professional photographers work on the photo shoot, which is an exciting experience that most of the children featured in the exhibit have never had before.

"They really spend the time with each child to get to know them and to capture the essence that is that child," explained Abety-Gutierrez.

The pictures pay off, because the exhibit helps bring awareness to the important issue of foster care.

"We've seen that 50% get adopted, and there are hundreds more that are available and can be seen on our website," said Abety-Gutierrez.

The Heart Gallery is one of many featuring children living in foster care and available for adoption across the county. The Miami exhibit is on display through July at the Coral Gables Museum and then it moves on to the Miami Gardens Family Center in August.

"It takes a courageous child, particularly a teen to say, 'I don't have a family, I really want one,'" according to Abety-Gutierrez.

For more information on the Heart Gallery and adopting a child in foster care, visit www.miamiheartgallery.org.

You can also call Neighbors 4 Neighbors at (305) 597-4404.

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