THE PINELLAS / PASCO HEART GALLERY The Progress Energy Heart Gallery of Pinellas & Pasco was launched in June of 2006. Modeled after many other successful Heart Galleries throughout the US, it includes portraits of local foster children available for adoption. Unlike many Heart Galleries that are part of a state child protection agency, the Heart Gallery of Pinellas & Pasco is an independent, charitable organization that began as a grass-roots, community initiative. Our partners include Eckerd Community Alternatives, Bay Area professional photographers, a host of committed volunteers and big-hearted sponsors, like Progress Energy. BY THE NUMBERS: 500,000: Children living in foster care in the US 20,000: Average number who age out of the US foster care system each year 3,500: Number of children living in the dependency system in Pinellas & Pasco 500: Average number of children awaiting adoption 172: Approximate number of children appearing in the Gallery OUR MISSION The mission of the Heart Gallery of Pinellas & Pasco is to provide an emotionally safe way to promote local adoptions. The Heart Gallery features the photos and stories of foster children  ready for forever families.