“Jesus took the children in His arms and blessed them." ~ Mark 10:16
At thirty years old, divorce seemed the only way Lamont
Thomas, from Buffalo, NY could be himself again, breathe again. He felt little
remorse and was anxious to move on.
With a poverty rate
significantly higher than the national average, and nearly 40% of Buffalo’s children
living in poverty, the custodial father of two watched many of his friends’
kids being taken from their parents and consigned to the public childcare system.
He asked his two
biological children, Anthony and LaMonica, if they would mind sharing their
home with other kids who desperately needed a place to live and a family. They
readily agreed. Lamont got certified and became a foster parent.
His first foster kid was
Michael Perez in 2001. Over the next 15 years, he fostered more than 30 additional
children, all as a single parent, to make a difference in every
life.
Over the years, his
youngsters grew into adults, and for the first time, he was alone again in a
quiet house. He tried filling his time with fishing and some traveling, but that
didn't last for long.
They’d been temporarily separated in four different homes in four different cities for more than a year already.
Siblings in foster
care often get placed in separate homes, which furthers their trauma by
bringing on emotional anxiety, guilt, and grief. In many cases, siblings also
lose contact with one another when separated. Lamont fought to ensure this
sibling group would have a different story.
The adoption ceremony
was a festive affair. Thomas and his new sons were clad in dapper suits, while
his adorable daughters wore matching satin dresses and tiaras. The courtroom
erupted in boisterous applause as the judge announced that Zendaya (5), Jamel (4)
Nakia (3), Major (2), and Michaela (1) had been officially adopted.
Sometimes the most extraordinary heroes are hiding in
ordinary homes on ordinary streets. They just have extraordinary hearts. Now
this incredible man is father to 12 children – 10 adopted and 2 biological. And
five siblings finally have what every child deserves: a chance to grow up
together.
Over 400,000 children are currently in foster care across
the country. Without people like Thomas in their lives, foster children are
much more likely to struggle in life. A quarter will end up homeless. Twenty-seven
(27) percent of males and 10 percent of females will spend time in prison at
least once. Thank God for people like Lamont who make a difference in the lives
of vulnerable children who need their love and help the most.
