Foster care is filled with pain and uncertainty for so many vulnerable kids and yet there’s so many beautiful and healing stories of love and resilience as well. These stories have the power to inspire us all. Pam Willis, a compassionate and determined adoptive mother, has captured the hearts of many with her incredible journey of love and sacrifice. Featured in People Magazine, and on podcasts and day time talk shows, Pam’s inspiring story, her unwavering commitment to her children, and her amazing heart are always on display.
The Eye Opening Need:
Pam Willis first learned about the seven siblings in need of a home while scrolling through her Facebook feed in 2019. The news story about these children touched her heart deeply, and their smiling faces instantly found a place within her soul. Pam shared the post with her husband, and they both felt an immediate connection. He said almost immediately: “We should adopt them.” They were already licensed foster parents in California. They also just so happened to have a home with six bedrooms. The stage was set.
A Forever Commitment:
From the moment Pam and her husband Gary met the siblings, they knew they were destined to become their forever family. The children had been in foster care for a year following the tragic loss of their parents in a car accident. Pam and her husband recognized the immense responsibility of keeping the siblings together and providing them with the love, support, and healing they desperately needed.
Watch their powerful story:
Overcoming Challenges:
The journey has not been without its challenges. The children, ranging in age from 4 to 15, had endured both physical and emotional scars from the car accident and their time spent in foster care. Ruby, at age 13, bravely shared her gratitude for finding a family that would take all of them, acknowledging the difficulties they faced. Adelino, at age 15, reflected on hardships they endured before finding their forever home.
A Second Chance with 7:
After Pam and her husband opened their hearts and their six-bedroom house to these seven remarkable children, their empty nest, once home to their first five babies, now became a sanctuary of love and belonging for their new family members. Pam describes the moment they moved in as a second chance for all of them. “From the day we met them, they were ours,” she shared. This commitment was not just temporary; it was a lifelong promise to provide a loving and stable home for these resilient children. Now a mother to a total of 12 children, Pam’s heart and home are quite full.
Using Social Media to Inspire:
The Willis’ story made national headlines after her daughter posted a clever Instagram video of their whirlwind journey. She gained nearly 100k followers overnight on Instagram. Now Pam utilizes her social media platforms as a way to inspire others and raise awareness about the importance of helping those in need. Through her Instagram account, she shared the story of how she met the siblings and the instant connection she felt. She agrees that America’s Kids Belong highlighting kids who are waiting for families is a very similar way she met her seven. The I Belong Project elevates them into the spotlight with their stories and dreams and goals. What we do with that awareness is up to us. By sharing her journey, Pam hopes to encourage others to open their hearts and minds to the possibility of making a difference in the lives of children in foster care.
Pam shares more insights on fostering:
Pam Willis’s journey as an adoptive mother stands as a testament to the power of courage, compassion, and resilience. Her and her husband’s unwavering commitment to these seven children and the dedication to raising awareness about the needs of children in foster care are truly inspiring. Pam also wants others to know they are just normal people. Pam’s story serves as a reminder that each of us has the capacity to do something. We all can start somewhere and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Pam’s message helps open hearts and minds to imagination. The good news is that there are so many ways we can all work together to improve experiences and outcomes for kids in foster care. Whether it’s being a foster or adoptive family, or supporting a foster family in our community, there is a place for us all to do something.
