For Immediate Release:                                          For Information Contact:

November 9, 2007                                                     Donna Wyche at 215-683-6086

PHILADELPHIA HEART GALLERY’S THIRD ANNUAL EXHIBIT

AT ENON TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH

Touching portraits of local foster children

promote adoption awareness.

PHILADELPHIA, PA--- Heart Gallery Philadelphia will host its Third Annual Gala exhibit Saturday,  November
17^th, 7 to 9 p.m. at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church located at 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave.  The exhibit features compelling portraits of 37 foster children who are awaiting adoption in Philadelphia.

The Heart Gallery showcases stirring images of children-in-waiting taken by professional photographers who have volunteered their time and talent to the project.  The exhibit serves to not only highlight the need for adoptive families but also gives a face and a voice to the many foster children in our community looking for their "forever family."

The exhibit at Enon Tabernacle, presented collaboratively by Heart Gallery Philadelphia and Philadelphia Department of Human Services, marks the third year of the Heart Gallery Philadelphia. Since opening in 2005, 20 children have been matched with an adoptive family. "At Enon, young people are at the heart of this ministry. Ensuring that Philadelphia's children grow up in loving families, whether biological, foster or adoptive, is one way that we can meet the needs of children," explains Enon Tabernacle’s Pastor Alyn E. Waller.

In preparation for this moving exhibit Enon Tabernacle will be hosting a three-part informational workshop for its members to discuss the adoption process. Workshops will be held Wednesday, November 14; Thursday, November 15 and Friday, November 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will include workshops on foster care and adoption presented by Bethany Christian Services, Bethanna and Children’s Choice as wellas a workshop on intake to permanency presented by the Department of Human Services.

  For more information about the Heart Gallery Philadelphia go to www.heartgalleryphiladelphia.org. If anyone is interested in showcasing the Heart Gallery exhibit, please contact Terry Hirst at 610-789-3553.

ABOUT ENON TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church is located in the Mr. Airy section of Philadelphia and is focused on ministering to both its congregants and the community at large.  Founded in 1876 by Rev. James D. Brooks, the current Pastor Alyn E. Waller, oversees a full service ministerial staff and in excess of 50 ministries.  Enon is a place where people encounter God.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

The Philadelphia Department of Human Services is the City agency charged with protecting children from abuse, neglect, and delinquency; ensuring their safety and permanency in nurturing home environments; and strengthening and preserving families by enhancing community-based prevention services. In partnership with community organizations, DHS provides services to strengthen the overall well being of Philadelphia children, youth, and families using a customer focused approach that is responsive to evolving community needs. The City of Philadelphia and the Department of Human Services do not discriminate, or permit discrimination against people because of race, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or ancestry.

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