An exhibit of love

Donald C. is 18 years old and he dreams of being a paleontologist. Sara J. is 12 years old and she likes to sing and dance. Loren B. is 9 years old and she likes to play softball. All of these children are in foster care waiting for a family like the Roberts.

Lloyd and Cindy Roberts had tried for years to have children on their own without success. One day, Cindy saw a child named Frank who she could not live without.

“I found something I want and my husband said, ‘What’s his name,’ ” Cindy said.
Frank, now 19, was placed in foster care when he was 7 years old. He went through three different foster homes before meeting the Roberts, of Smithville.

“When you go through what I’ve been through it’s one of those naturally draining things,” Frank said.
He was labeled as “excessive special needs,” but that did not discourage the Roberts.
“He was ornery,” Cindy said.

Frank no longer has special needs, only special looks. He looks like actor Leonardo DiCaprio and that has landed him summer jobs and on the television shows “Ellen” and “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

Frank was one of the 9,000 children in foster care in Missouri and to help find children like him homes, the Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery is touring the state with photos and profiles of children waiting for a new family.
Jessica Chancellor works with the Pettis County Children’s Division.

“This is to get the word out that there are children out there that need families,” Chancellor said.

The gallery features 188 professional photos of children ranging in age from infants to teens in their early 20s and is displayed in the Pettis County Courthouse.

“These are just pictures and behind the pictures are human beings and every human being deserves to be loved,” Cindy said.

The Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery was founded by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department in 2001 as a way to help children in foster care.

“We want to get people involved and aware so these kids can find homes,” Chancellor said.

Shannon Wassam, of Smithton, has four biological children and two adopted children.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Wassam said.

She said adopting is a way for her to help provide a safe place for children. Before adopting, she did not realize that there were so many children in foster care.

“I think when you take the step to make a difference it really unifies a family,” Wassam said.

One of her biological sons has seen the difference and said he would like to adopt one day.
Chancellor said the display is especially important in rural areas because many people do not realize the number of children who just want a family.

People interested in adopting are required to have a  background check and attend meetings and classes. The process usually takes at least six months to complete.

For Frank, the process could not have been any better. The day the adoption went through was the first time he called his new parents mom and dad.

“I just wish I would have done it a little earlier,” Cindy said.

Frank graduated from high school in May and plans to attend college in the fall.

The Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery will be on display through Sunday. People interested in adopting or helping children in foster care can visit moheartgallery.org.