Take a moment to analyze the photographs of these 53 children. Study the promise glittering in their eyes, the glow of their smiles. Some are confident, others contemplative.

There are a few free spirits in the bunch and too many whose faces betray a weariness too grown-up for their age. But there are a few things you cannot decipher from their portraits -- like how much they crave unconditional love, or how well they mask the scars from a turbulent childhood.

Mere phtographs can't capture how desperately each one of these kids longs for a family to call his own, but maybe they will inspire people to consider adopting a foster child. At least that is what the Heart gallery NYC hopes.

 for more see Staten Island Advance article by Elise McIntosh.