Welcome · Programs · Chicago · Safe Families for Children · News · Pam's Story Pam came to us in February 2006 in a desperate state. She had eight children, ages six months to 16 years old, and was raising them alone, without any support from their fathers. Barely making it by any standard, the last straw came when Pam lost her job, was evicted and became homeless. She and her children moved in with “friends,” who reported her to child welfare officials. An investigation was underway, and Pam began to see that losing her children was becoming a very real possibility.

LYDIA heard about Pam’s situation from a friend of the ministry, who asked if we would be willing to care for the children through our Safe Families program. Within days, five of our volunteer families took in Pam’s eight children, presumably for about three months. As our staff got to know Pam, though, we realized she would need more time. So we asked our volunteers if they could keep her children for a year. All said yes.

Among those volunteers are Peter and Cindy Baldwin and their four children, who are caring for Trinity, Pam’s six-month-old daughter. “We are totally committed to this baby, and to seeing Pam’s family be reunited some day,” Cindy says. “Our reason for doing it is simple — God wants us to help people in need. After all, these are his children too.”

Pam is now living at Circle Urban Ministries in downtown Chicago and has found a food service position at a suburban public school. Her plan is to continue working, obtain permanent housing and break free from the heartaches and foolish choices of her past. Meanwhile, she visits and calls her children regularly and depends on our staff for emotional support, encouragement and guidance. God is bringing hope and healing to Pam’s spirit, and we look forward to the day when she can be reunited with her children.