Pamela Pollard went to the library to find out what activities were happening in her neighborhood. While there, she noticed a poster about Children’s Bureau’s foster care and adoption program. Her interest was piqued so she called the agency for more information and requested an application packet.
Pamela called Children’s Bureau several times to ask questions before she finally made the decision to begin the pre-certification classes. Pamela knew she wanted to become a foster parent but, during the process, she considered adoption as well. She was certified in three months and received a call immediately that a baby was available to be placed in her home. Pamela took a week to inform Children’s Bureau that she wasn’t quite ready to take the baby, in fact, she was a little scared. A couple of months later, she was matched again with another newborn, Kamari, and this time she was ready. Pamela fostered Kamari followed by three other newborns, each one reunified with their biological parents or other family members.
Pamela’s next baby placement, however, was a little different. The mother and father of a newborn named Joshua had left him at the hospital. Joshua was therefore immediately put on the “fast track” for adoption. Pamela fostered Joshua and was told that she definitely would be able to adopt him. On July 13, 2009, Pamela’s adoption of Joshua, who at the time was one and a half years old, was finalized. On that day, Joshua was happy and had a huge smile on his face. Pamela and her family (her mom, sister, brother-in-law and niece) were also all thrilled. To celebrate, Pamela, Joshua and the family happily went out for breakfast after court! Pamela is looking forward to further celebrating with both family and friends from her workplace!
Pamela plans to continue opening her home to foster babies and has recommended Children’s Bureau’s program to others including her sister, her mother and a co-worker who has begun the adoption process. Another co-worker is considering adopting because he sees how Pamela completed the process with confidence and success. Pamela says, “You never know what you’re capable of until you go through it. It’s only at the end, do you finally see that you can do this and that it’s all going to be okay.”
For more information, please call 661-272-9996 or visit our website at www.all4kids.org .