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| Steven, 13 in February 2008, says goodbye to Jill Horn of Christ Child House after he is matched with a foster family. (Photo by Kathleen Galligan) |
When Detroit Free Press staff photographer Kathleen Galligan first visited Christ Child House in 2005, she never expected to continue her visits for the next three years. She arrived at the agency to take photos of two boys as part of a project for the Michigan Heart Gallery, a website that features professional photographs of children who are waiting for adoption.
During the photo shoot, Galligan became intrigued by the accomplishments of Christ Child House. She gained approval from Free Press editors to feature the boys available for adoption in a photo essay that was scheduled to run in conjunction with National Adoption Month in November 2005.
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| Julio, 12 in October 2005, gets a haircut from Mark Evan of Phat Fades Barbershop in Detroit. (Photo by Kathleen Galligan) |
Upon learning of the photo essay, John Yablonky, executive director of Christ Child House, informed his board of directors and gained approval from the superintendent of the Michigan Children’s Institute, the division of the Department of Human Services that has legal custody of the children. Nineteen boys who were permanent wards of the state, and therefore approved to be photographed, would be featured.
But outside factors, including a change in the paper’s ownership and its struggle to remain financially viable, forced the project into an indefinite delay. Even when new editors and management came on board, Galligan continued to advocate for its publication.
As time passed, the project grew in scope considerably. What was once planned to be a small photo essay evolved into a front-page feature, a 16-page supplement, and an online multimedia package.
The 16-page supplement, titled “The Boys of Christ Child House,” featured powerful photos and information about each boy who was available for adoption.
The online multimedia package, which won an Emmy Award in September 2009, is called “Where Children Find Hope.” It includes content originally printed in the newspaper, as well as additional information, photos, and a five-part, 35-minute video.
Communication, Control are Key
The delay helped Yablonky to cautiously move forward. “I always viewed it as something with a risk/reward scenario. I knew that we and the kids had the potential of realizing great benefits due to tremendous publicity, but I also knew one mistake by a staff member or a misinterpretation by a reporter and our reputation would be harmed forever. I think we have a great staff, but these are volatile kids who have been abused and neglected and can be explosive.”
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| Julio dances and sings in March 2006 after speaking with a man on the phone who might adopt him. (Photo by Kathleen Galligan) |
Time was on his side. “It wasn’t like I had to come to a decision juncture that involved determining whether we were going to do this huge project or not,” he says. “It began as a photo essay of adoption photographs to help get the kids adopted. As time went by, it turned into much more.”
Yablonky worked closely with Galligan and the other Free Press staff involved in the project to develop trust and positive working relationships. He also maintained control over the project. He frequently reviewed the standards and barriers in terms of what would violate Department of Human Services confidentiality with the Free Press staff.
“To keep myself comfortable with the process, every time anyone with the Free Press came to the facility I made myself available. I met with them as they came in, prepared them for what to expect, and provided updates about the boys,” Yablonky says. “Until I became more comfortable, I also oversaw Kathleen’s entire visits. But after awhile, she was there so much that she became enmeshed in the program; almost a part of the furniture.”
He adds, “I didn’t have nightmares, but I did have concerns. Over time and many discussions, I came to believe that Kathleen and the others came in here to make a difference by promoting these boys and increasing their odds for adoption. She didn’t come in to do a yellow journalism piece on the child welfare system; her agenda was well known. I came to trust that her heart was in the right place.”
As the project continued to grow in scope, Yablonky constantly maintained transparency with his staff and the board. “I think I got total inclusiveness and buy-in from my board and staff because I really opened up the lines of communication. I continually kept everyone apprised of what was going on.”
Variety of Benefits, But One Most Important
Frankly, Yablonky and his staff didn’t know what to expect after the project went to press Nov. 30, 2008.
“For two weeks after publication of the articles and photos, we could do nothing but answer phones. People really wanted to help,” Yablonky says. “The most important benefit, of course, was greater adoption visibility for the entire program.”
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| Devonta, 12 in October 2005, was the center for his recreational league football team. He plays cards while waiting for a ride to practice. (Photo by Kathleen Galligan) |
Seven of the boys featured in “The Boys of Christ Child House” supplement, including Devonta, have been adopted. Devonta’s adoption was finalized in early September 2009. It’s an adoption that would not have occurred if the family hadn’t learned about his story through the coverage in the Detroit Free Press.
“I think the second best benefit was increased volunteerism,” Yablonky adds. “We now have 14 volunteer tutors who provide individual academic remediation for the kids after school.”
In addition to new volunteers, service groups such as the National Black MBA Association and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity have adopted the organization and pledged funds to projects, including a new computer room for the boys.
A lasting benefit is the increase in donors. Today, there are 300 new donors in the Christ Child House donor base. Checks, some as big as $1,000, came in from across the country. In fact, Christ Child House is still receiving donations. The longevity of support may be due in part to the continued recognition both Christ Child House and the Detroit Free Press have received for the project.
In-kind donations such as cooking and fitness classes, toys, clothes, and school supplies have also poured in. After reading about Devotna, who loves to play football, one man asked to sponsor Devonta’s attendance at the University of Michigan summer football camp.
“The entire project exceeded my expectations; we got such an overwhelming positive response. The good people of Detroit came through, even in a very hard time for a lot of them,” Yablonky says.
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