Meet Lamont Thomas: The Single Dad Who Adopted Five Siblings to Keep Them Together

“It takes a village” isn’t just a saying for Lamont Thomas — it’s a way of life.

At 48 years old, this devoted father from Buffalo, New York, has done something truly extraordinary: he adopted five young siblings, all under the age of six, to ensure they could stay together as a family. The heartwarming story has captured national attention and inspired countless others to consider fostering and adoption (Good Morning America, 2019).

Last month, Thomas officially welcomed Michaela (1), Major (2), Nakia (3), Jamel (4), and Zendaya (5) into his family. With this latest adoption, he now has 12 children in total — 10 adopted and two biological — making his home one filled with laughter, energy, and endless love (ABC News, 2019).

“Every day I think about it, my eyes swell up,” Thomas told Good Morning America. “All that we endured to make this happen — it was something special.”

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Two Decades of Love and Service

Lamont’s journey as a foster parent began more than 20 years ago, when he started taking in children whose parents were struggling or had lost custody. “It started out as me helping friends,” he recalled. “They had lost their kids to the system, and I wanted to make a difference.” Soon, he became a certified foster parent, dedicating his life to giving vulnerable children a stable and loving home (The Washington Post, 2019).

Over the years, Thomas has fostered more than two dozen children, many of whom he eventually adopted. His home became a safe haven for children in need — a place where broken families could find hope and healing.

“He’s just one of those people who never gives up on kids,” said a family friend in an interview with Today (NBC, 2019). “He believes every child deserves love, no matter their circumstances.”

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An Empty Nest — Then a New Beginning

After two decades of fostering and raising children, Thomas thought his days of parenting little ones were behind him. His older children had grown and moved out, leaving him as an “empty nester” for the first time in years. But that peace didn’t last long.

When he learned that five children of a man he once fostered had entered the foster care system — and had been split up across four different cities — Thomas felt compelled to act. “I couldn’t let that happen,” he told GMA. “I knew what I had to do.”

Driven by his belief that “family should never be broken apart if it can be helped,” Thomas renewed his foster certification and began the long process of bringing the siblings together again (CNN, 2019). It took two years of persistence, paperwork, and patience — but in the end, his dream became reality.

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“They Deserve to Be Raised as Siblings”

The official adoption took place in Erie County Family Court, where the five siblings were reunited under one roof — a moment that moved everyone in the courtroom to tears. “They bring new energy to me,” Thomas said. “They’re lovable kids, very affectionate. They deserve to be raised as siblings, and that was my fight” (Good Morning America, 2019).

Since the adoption, Thomas says his home has been full of life again. He spends his days helping with homework, cooking meals, and managing the joyful chaos that comes with raising five toddlers at once. His older children often stop by to help, making it truly a village effort.

“I wanted to make a difference by being a difference, and I love what I do,” Thomas shared proudly.

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A True Example of Selfless Love

Lamont Thomas’s story has resonated across the country, inspiring discussions about foster care reform and the power of community support. Experts estimate that there are more than 390,000 children currently in the U.S. foster care system (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2024), and Thomas hopes his journey will encourage more people to step up and open their hearts — and homes — to those in need.

“He’s what every child in foster care dreams of — someone who won’t give up on them,” said a local child welfare advocate in an interview with Buffalo News (2020).

For Lamont Thomas, being a parent isn’t just about providing food and shelter — it’s about offering belonging, safety, and unconditional love. His story reminds us that sometimes, family isn’t defined by blood, but by the commitment to stand together no matter what.

Thank you, Mr. Thomas, for proving that love truly builds families — and that it really does take a village.