2026 MICHIGAN HEART GALLERY PHOTO EXHIBIT TO HIGHLIGHT YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE WHO ARE SEEKING PERMANENT HOMES
Local businesses bring awareness by participating in new “Room for One More” project
Ann Arbor, MI — The 2026 Michigan Heart Gallery will premiere on Saturday, September 19th from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Emagine Theatre, 200 North Main Street in Royal Oak. The traveling exhibit features professional photos of older youth in foster care who are awaiting adoption.
The Heart Gallery is presented each year by the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), a program administered by human service agency Judson Center and funded through the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS).
“This is such an awe-inspiring event,” said Judson Center President & CEO Lenora Hardy-Foster. “The photos and stories of the young people seeking forever homes are very touching. This is the place to be for anyone who is contemplating adopting a young person from foster care. They can have all their questions answered, meet some of the youngsters, and take the first step toward making a child’s dream come true.”
Event registration and the red-carpet arrival for the youth and guests begin at 10:30 a.m. A film presentation, formal program, and lunch will follow. MARE’s Adoption Navigators will be available to share firsthand information about the process, challenges and joys of adopting. Attendees will also hear personal stories from a young adult who was adopted as a teenager and a family who adopted teens.
New this year is the “Room for One More” project, which coincides with the premiere of the Michigan Heart Gallery exhibit. MARE staff took inspiration from 10 of the youth featured in this year’s photo display and decorated chairs with designs that represent the young people’s unique interests. Various local businesses are displaying the chairs to help bring attention to adoption and the Heart Gallery.
“The message behind this project is straightforward: Do you have room for one more?” said MARE Director Michelle Parra. “These personalized chairs are meant to encourage people to think beyond simply having a physical seat available and consider whether they might have room in their hearts, homes and families for a young person who needs permanency.”
To date, chairs are on display at these locations: Royal Oak Public Library, Mint Hair Salon in Ferndale, Village Ford in Dearborn, Emagine Theatre in Royal Oak, Leon & Lulu in Clawson, and Hazel’s in Birmingham.
Admission to the 2026 Michigan Heart Gallery event on September 19th is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register on Eventbrite or the MARE website at www.mare.org. Complimentary parking vouchers will be available for attendees.
About MARE
The Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), a program of Judson Center, is a statewide information and referral service for families interested in adopting youth from foster care and for adoption workers looking for homes for these children. The MARE website provides a list of children in Michigan who are waiting for permanent homes and information on families who are interested in adopting children with special needs. MARE is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, visit www.mare.org.
About Judson Center
Judson Center, trusted by Michigan families for more than 100 years, is a non-profit human service agency providing expert, comprehensive services that strengthen children, adults and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism, and developmental, behavioral and physical health challenges so they can achieve whole health, well-being, and maximum potential. Since opening its doors in 1924, Judson Center has grown to change the lives of more than 13,000 children, adults, and families each year. Judson Center has offices in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, Genesee, and Jackson counties. Judson Center’s headquarters is located at 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3277. Learn more at www.judsoncenter.org.