Photographer Putting Faces To Illinois Foster Kids
(CBS) -- The power of pictures: A Barrington mom is hoping they help find homes for the approximately 1,500 foster kids now available for adoption.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez has more on a "Heart Gallery" and the photographer's labor of love.
The photo gallery coming soon to the "Let It Be Us" website puts a face on the Illinois Foster Care System.
The founder of the site, photographer Susan McConnell, hopes it will put focus on an often overlooked form of adoption.
"Everyone knows about the other two types of adoption, you can adopt an infant from an agency and you can adopt from overseas, but no one knows about the third type of adoption, which is adoption from foster care," McConnell says.
She adopted three foster children and is passionate about building a bridge between the people who yearn to be parents, and the children who need them.
"I've seen these children," McConnell said. "I've photographed them, Ive' been with them. They're very adoptable."
You don't need to tell Carolyne and Mark Osterhues. They've adopted four children from foster care, but worry that others may think foster children come with too much baggage.
"Of all the children we've had in our home, with a little discipline and a lot of love, they just blossom," Carolyne said.
They believe when people view the new Heart Gallery, they'll open their hearts.
"There's as much that you get as what you give to them," Mark said.
In order to adopt a foster child, you must first become a licensed foster parent. But your age, marital status and sexual orientation don't matter and unlike going through an agency, there is no cost.