Erica Zucco, KOB Eyewitness News 4
Updated: 03/18/2016 5:48 PM
Created: 03/18/2016 5:02 PM
The new digital "heart gallery" at Lovelace Medical Center is one of now nearly 40 displays around the state. It shows photos of smiling kids who have hopes, dreams and hobbies, but need homes.
"I think it’s important for us not just to see the images, but to see the families that have made that commitment and to really ask yourself and your family if it's something you can take on," Lovelace Medical Center CEO Troy Greer said.
Greer says thousands of people travel through the high traffic waiting rooms where the center has heart galleries set up. The Children, Youth and Families Department hopes it will remind families that adopting could be for them.
"The kids you will see the heart gallery are kids who are older in age and sibling groups, because generally those tend to be the groups that are a little harder to get adopted. But when you see the heart gallery with their beautiful faces and smiles, it just really opens people up to take a different look at these kids and say, 'I'd really like to take a look at that child,'" CYFD spokesperson Henry Varela said.
CYFD is looking for more local agencies and business willing to put up galleries in their buildings. Greer says for Lovelace, it’s been an eye opener and he hopes it will be moving for both visitors and employees.
"They see where they can become more involved in the rest of the community beyond the walls of the hospital," Greer said.
You can see kids that need to be adopted on the CYFD heart gallery website. Just click here.
You can view the original story and video clip here.