BY NICK REISMAN

July 29, 2007

To help 53 teens find permanent families, the Heart Gallery NYC and a Manhattan-based group home have teamed up to display the youngsters' portraits at a two-week Times Square exhibition.

Jean, 15, is looking forward to seeing his picture in Times Square. Just 4 years old when he entered the state's child welfare system, he lived in three foster homes before moving to a Westchester County group home when he was 10.

"I don't want a parent that stays in the house all day. I want parents that go outside and do fun things," Jean said, adding he also would like a golden retriever puppy.

Jean's father died when he was 4. He was taken from his Brooklyn apartment soon after when his mother had a nervous breakdown.

Jean still remembers the night when the police came to remove him from his family, which included two brothers and three sisters.

"I was crying and crying," said Jean. "The cops said, 'Stop crying, it will be all right.'"

Egypt, 16, was orphaned when her mother died six years ago. Her aunt took care of her, but Egypt admitted she "got into trouble a lot" and was put into a group home in 2004.

"I've changed a lot," she said. "I would just like to do things like a regular family. I would like to fit in."

Egypt said she loves to sing, especially gospel and R&B, adding that her favorite song is "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" by Deborah Cox.

Shanta, 18, said she desperately wants brothers and sisters along with new parents.

"I have nobody to go home to," said Shanta, who has been in and out of foster care since a very young age. "It makes me sad. I would feel very happy and very excited" if she had a family.

Shanta said she loves to read fairy tales such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

The first thing Shanta would like to do with her new family is go to Six Flags amusement park, where she would like to ride the roller coasters.

Jacqueline Holladay, an administrator with the Manhattan-based Jewish Child Care Association, said the kids can't wait to see their pictures displayed in the center of New York City.

"All the kids are excited because it's a real party, a celebration," Holladay said.

All the children profiled at the exhibition hail from the five boroughs, but now live in foster homes in Westchester County.

Portraits of these children, along with 47 other kids, will be on display at the Times Square Information Center from July 31 through Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information on adoption or mentoring programs will be available.