Meet Maia Bookoff (on the left), one of Snapple's "Best People in NYC", along with Heart Gallery NYC Executive Director, Laurie Sherman-Graff

This May, MVC is pleased to celebrate National Foster Care Month, by featuring our next Snapple awardee, Heart Gallery NYC. Founded by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department in 2001, Heart Gallery is a unique organization dedicated to raising awareness of children living in foster care across the country.

Heart Gallery NYC’s mission is to help New York City youth living in foster care find a permanent, loving family to call their own. They aim to raise awareness and educate the public about the thousands of children who desperately need and deserve the shelter and love of stable homes while providing services, such as mentoring and scholarships to children aging out of foster care who have not found the love, guidance and stability of a “forever family.”

Heart Gallery NYC is working to achieve the aforementioned goals by combining the talents of notable photographers with children in need of a place to call home. Photographers capture images which are then displayed in photo exhibits across the city. These photography exhibits are meant to encourage caring New Yorkers to make a difference in the life of a child through adoption. For more information please visit: http://www.volunteernyc.org/org/10234171358.html  

Volunteer engagement is a key part of Heart Gallery NYC’s success. Heart Gallery NYC volunteers can be found distributing information about adoption, following up with adoptive parents on the Heart Gallery Hotline, managing website and PR initiatives as well as coordinating between adoption agencies and prospective adoptive parents. Additionally, Heart Gallery volunteers serve the organization as event planners. Photo exhibit launches, children’s holiday parties, and field trips are just a few of the events Heart Gallery NYC volunteers plan and execute.

Maia Bookoff began her work with Heart Gallery NYC as a Hotline representative almost a year ago. Soon after her volunteering began, she connected a family looking to adopt with two brothers in need of home. “To be a part of that story and to see the joy it brought to all parties has been a truly transforming experience,” said Maia. “It has confirmed my commitment to the organization and to the children living in foster care. In fact, it has inspired me to apply to graduate school in Social Work so that I can be an even more effective advocate for children in need.”

"Maia has been a wonderful Heart Gallery NYC team member. She has been directly involved in parent recruitment, and responsible for finding homes for our Heart Gallery kids!” said Laurie Sherman-Graff, Executive Director of Heart Gallery NYC.

Congratulations to Maia and Heart Gallery NYC for being one of the Best People in NYC!