When kids need foster care, it sometimes entails separating siblings. Keeping the siblings together, especially when there are five of them, might seem impossible — but one foster parent decided to make it happen.
This is Lamont Thomas.
Thomas, a resident of Buffalo, New York, has made it his life’s work to improve the lives of kids. In addition to two biological kids, he’s fostered dozens over the years. But as he’s gotten older, Thomas has taken a step back.
These kids brought him out of “retirement.”
These kids are all siblings under the age of five. There’s Zendaya, Jamel, Nakia, Major, and Michaela. Their parent is one of Thomas’ former fosters, and all five of them needed a home.
The kids had been separated before.
Thomas told Good Morning America that the kids had been neglected and placed in foster homes. “They had them in four different homes, four different cities. They were separated for over a year and a half,” he said.
Thomas stepped up and adopted them.
With Judge Lisa Rodwin making it official, Thomas was able to officially adopt all five siblings, bringing them under the same roof and giving them stability they’d never known before.
It takes a lot of work.
With Thomas’ biological kids out of the house, his new kids bring a lot of energy into his home. “They’re lovable kids, very affectionate,” he said. “They deserve to be raised as siblings, and that was my fight.”
He’ll make a difference in their lives.
Another of Thomas’ foster kids, Michael, described the impact on his life. “I can’t believe he’s started all over again,” Michael said. “Lamont has been a life-saver to me. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today, had Lamont not ventured in my life.”
It’s the culmination of a lot of effort.
Thomas had been fostering the kids for the previous couple of years and decided to take the step of officially adopting them so they could live together without the fear of being transferred to another home.
This makes him a dad of twelve.
In addition to the dozens of kids he’s fostered and his two biological kids, Thomas had previously adopted five kids. Add in the five siblings and he officially has twelve kids.
He has a huge heart.
“It’s amazing he’s taking on all of them,” said Thomas’ daughter, 27-year-old LaMonica. “He does anything for everybody. He’s a really great man.”
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Hats off to Lamont Thomas!
Do you have any experience with the foster system? Make sure to let us know what you think of this incredible story in the comments section!
h/t: WGRZ , Good Morning America
