An Oakland County mom created an art exhibit to give foster children a chance to be seen.
She’s dedicated to finding families for the hundreds of children in our state who so often feel forgotten.
Melissa Parks is getting the conversation going. She wants families to ask if they could foster a child, maybe adopt siblings into their home. And many Metro Detroit families are taking that leap of faith thanks to her photo exhibit- Art & Soul.
“Art & Soul of Oakland County is about a photo exhibit that travels every month to a new location in hopes of capturing viewers to see children,” Parks said.
World renowned photographers are jumping on board her mission. Each photographer spends a day with one of the more than 3,000 foster children desperately waiting on a mom and dad.
“It’s bringing awareness to the youth who are still waiting for adoption and Melissa’s passion for our kids is just amazing,” Dana Wright of Orchards Children’s Services said.
For many of our foster youth, this is the first photo they’ve ever had of themselves. It’s coupled with a write up of what makes them special. It’s 14-year-old Eddie’s pride and hope.
“It make you think that somebody is gonna see it or something,” Eddie said.
And that’s exactly Park’s goal as she travels with the exhibit around Metro Detroit getting as many people to see the pictures and faces all looking for something as simple as love.
“I see the children just like my own children, I see their hopes and dreams, the possibility of what they’ve been put on earth to do,” Parks said. “But they need help to do that.”
Eddie says he doesn’t know what it’s like to have a family, a loving mom or dad- all he knows is Parks is working to do everything she can to make his dream come true.
“It’s a chance, to get closer… to find a family,” he said.
And just like Parks we want to help Eddie find loving parents- you can learn more about him here.
