My name is Cheri Thomas, and founding Path2Places is the most powerful thing I’ve ever done. This nonprofit was born from a promise I made during one of the most defining chapters of my life, a chapter filled with both heartbreak and clarity.
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For years, I struggled with fertility issues. I underwent procedures, surgeries, and emotional lows that left me mourning not just the children I thought I’d have, but the future I had always envisioned. Before moving forward with a life-changing procedure, I made a vow: if I couldn’t bring life into the world biologically, I would still give life through love, presence, and purpose.
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I chose to pour myself into children who are often overlooked, mistreated, and forgotten. I wouldn’t just give back to my community, I would stand in the gap for those who need it most. That promise became Path2Places. Over the years, I helped care for my sibling’s children during difficult seasons, showing up when life hit hard, offering consistency, comfort, and love. Loving other people’s children isn’t new to me; it’s part of who I’ve always been.
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My family’s story is also rooted in the foster care system. As a child, my mother was placed with a kind and nurturing foster family who supported her until she aged out. Her experience left a legacy, one I now carry forward with pride and purpose, knowing that so many others weren’t as fortunate.
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Path2Places is more than a transitional home. It’s a refuge, a place where young people can feel safe, reclaim their identity, and be reminded of their worth. It was never just about housing; it’s always been about healing.
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If you’re reading this and wondering if I’ll care for your child, I will. Wholeheartedly. Because this work isn’t just something I do. It’s who I am.