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Jun 5, 2009 5:17 pm US/Eastern
Children's Trust Heart Gallery
(CBS4)
You won't find much sibling rivalry between Tajah and her brother Cameron.
There was no bickering over whose turn it was at the arcade games when CBS4 caught up with the adorable duo during a recent visit to Dave & Buster's in Hollywood. As part of CBS4's series on some very special children hoping to be adopted –
CBS4 Anchor Shannon Hori would like you to meet Tajah, Cameron, and Yhmani from the Children's Trust Miami Heart Gallery.
"I don't want Tajah to get hurt or get away from me," said Cameron.
That's because these two kids share a very special dream after years in foster care.
"Adoption would be good for me and Tajah," he said.
Eight-year old Yhmani was also there. He says he misses his own siblings.
"We're split apart and I just want to be a family," Yhmani said.
Yhmani, Cameron, and Tajah are only three of about 200 foster kids in Broward and Miami-Dade counties who wish to be part of a permanent family, one that will love and support them.
Sashieka Eugent works with ChildNet, a private foster care agency in Broward. She explained that the kids that come into foster care have been removed from their homes for either abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
"They need to be in a stable home," she said.
On Saturday, Dave and Buster's of Hollywood is hosting a Foster and Adoption Fair for prospective parents. It's a multi-agency effort brought together by The Children's Trust Heart Gallery, a traveling exhibit of photos featuring kids available for adoption. The pictures will be on display at the event.
Foster Parents Association board member Shamele Jenkins says the portraits are striking.
"They look lifelike. You can actually see the essence of the person. It makes you want to be involved with the child," she said.
When asked what kind of boy he thinks he looks like in his picture, Yhmani cheerfully replies: "A special boy!"
Jenkins says these kids may have gone through some tough times. "They've been hurt, just like we all have in our lifetime."
The difference is, she says, "for them, they don't have a home. They don't have someone right now who can give them the love they need, and most of us can do that."
If you would like to give one of these children a loving home, check out The Children's Trust Heart Gallery exhibit at Dave and Buster's of Hollywood on June 6th from noon to 4:30 pm. Representatives from adoption agencies all over South Florida will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about adoption or becoming a foster parent. The event is free and open to the public.
Parents in Miami-Dade interested in adopting a child from The Children's Trust Miami Heart Gallery, can call The Children's Trust Helpline at 211 where specially trained Switchboard of Miami counselors are standing by, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English, Spanish and Creole. In Broward, call (305) 631-4211.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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