Thank you for your interest in registering your youth to participate in the 2017 Michigan Heart Gallery! Participating in the Heart Gallery must be a decision made in the best interests of the child. Please discuss this opportunity with the children on your caseload that you would like to feature.
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2017 MICHIGAN HEART GALLERY IS NOW CLOSED! ANY YOUTH REGISTERED NOW WILL BE PUT ON A WAITLIST AND MOVED OFF THE WAITLIST AND MATCHED WITH A PHOTOGRAPHER IF SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE. PHOTOGRAPHER MATCHING WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY FOR ANY YOUTH REGISTERED BEFORE OR BY SEPTEMBER 9TH.
Expectations:
1. Discuss the Heart Gallery with the child prior to submitting registration. Not all children are right for this kind of recruitment and no child should be involved against his or her will. Explain that a professional photographer will take his/her photograph, which will be on display as part of an exhibit in various public venues across the state. Let them know this project may also receive some media attention.
2. Provide ALL information requested. MARE would like to complete this process as efficiently as possible. Please ensure we have the correct information in all categories.
3. Schedule the photo shoot IMMEDIATELY. The photographers we work with for the Heart Gallery are participating on a voluntary basis. They are donating their time and talent to help our waiting youth, so please keep that in mind. Once a youth has been matched with a photographer, MARE will send you their contact information. It is your responsibility to contact them to schedule a date and location for the photo shoot. We understand that coordinating three schedules can be quite difficult at times, but please respond in a timely fashion throughout this process.
4. AS THE ADOPTION WORKER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COMMUNICATION WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER. MARE REQUESTS THAT FOSTER PARENTS AND/OR RESIDENTIAL STAFF DO NOT COORDINATE DIRECTLY WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER.
5. Arrange for transportation and supervision for the child on the day of their scheduled photo session. The child MUST be supervised for the duration of the photo session, as MARE does not complete background checks on photographers. Please ensure the child arrives to their scheduled appointment on time and is dressed nicely.
6. Attend the Heart Gallery grand opening or other related events with the child. If possible, bring the child to the Heart Gallery grand opening. The Grand Opening will occur in the spring and other events will take place throughout the year in various parts of the state.
7. Follow up by responding in a timely manner to any families who show an interest in adopting the child as a result of the Heart Gallery per DHS policy and private agency contracts.
TIMELINE:
- All registrations should be submitted by September 9, 2016.
- Kids will begin to be matched with photographers starting in August 2016 (or as soon as they are registered).
- Photo shoots must be completed by December, 2016.
- Photographs will be due to MARE by January, 2017.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact MARE Recruitment Specialist Jessica Thompson. She can be reached via email at
jessica_thompson@judsoncenter.org or phone at (734) 528-2070. Thank you!