CANTON -- An exhibit at the county Human Services Building at 80 State Highway 310, Canton, is promoting recognition of the need for adoptive parents.

The New York State Central Region Heart Gallery will be on display through Oct. 14 to help mark National Adoption Month, coming up in Novermber, said St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services Adoption Supervisor Heidi Soucis.

The public is invited to attend the gallery of child portraits from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

There will also be a table with information for foster and adoptive parents for people interested in taking home more information about the program.

The St. Lawrence County Heart Gallery features 36 professional portraits of children and youth across the state who are awaiting adoption. Talented photographers donated their time and artistic abilities to photograph the children.

"As you tour the gallery and learn about the hopes, dreams and interests of these children, may you be inspired to open your heart and your home to a child through mentoring, fostering or adoption," said New York State Commissioner Gladys Carrión.

The gallery is a compilation of the collective regional efforts made on behalf of children awaiting adoption across the state. It was inspired by the original Heart Gallery held in New Mexico in 2001. Heart Gallery exhibits introduce some of the waiting children. The exhibits are a collaboration of local social services, voluntary agencies, state regional adoption specialists, photographers, advocates, and statewide friends of adoption.

There are nearly 1,500 children in New York State waiting for a permanent home. Most children available for adoption in the state are in foster care.

For more information on adopting, visit the New York State Adoption Service website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us/adopt or call (800)-345-KIDS (5437).