OLD BETHPAGE, NY (JUNE 19, 2012) – Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, 
Inc. (FREE), a not-for-profit agency that supports more than 3,000 individuals with different abilities on Long Island has announced a collaboration with New York City-based Heart Gallery to create Heart Gallery Long Island. The two groups will collaborate on a project featuring acclaimed celebrity photographers who will mentor FREE individuals by having them assist to photograph children in the foster care system who are in need of adoptive homes. The photographs will then be displayed in a traveling exhibit to raise awareness and recruit prospective families for the children. A special photo workshop will be held at FREE on Wednesday, June 27th beginning at 11:00 a.m. to create the children’s portraits.
“FREE is very pleased to be joining forces with Heart Gallery and the renowned photographers to instill pride and confidence in our individuals through artistic expression as well as help children to find safe, loving forever families,” commented Robert S. Budd, CEO for FREE. “This unique partnership creates another of our artistic and expressive programs that educate our men and women to assist those in need, an important component of bringing them into mainstream society.”
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to work with FREE and utilize the outreach of the Heart Gallery project to raise awareness of not only children in foster care, but of all individuals with different abilities.”
About Heart Gallery NYC
Heart Gallery NYC www.heartgallerynyc.org connects the artistic talents of renowned photographers with children in foster care who are in need of permanent adoptive families. The Heart Gallery is dedicated to raising awareness about children living in foster care, and encourages New Yorkers to make a difference in the life of a child. For more information, please call (212) 965-8699 or visit www.heartgallerynyc.org.
About Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE)
FREE founded in 1977 and headquartered in Old Bethpage, benefits and proudly supports more than 3,000 individuals with different abilities and their families each year. Its mission is to support individuals of all abilities to realize their full potential and to achieve personal happiness. FREE provides a diverse array of support and services including: housing, rehabilitation services, prevocational/day and employment services, family services, education and after-school support, health care/clinical services and advocacy. For more information, please call 516-870-1622 or visit www.familyres.org.