Pam's journey began in the Ivory Coast where she was born. Her father brought her to the States at the tender age of two. His dream was to provide better opportunities and for them and to live the "American Dream." At age six that dream was shattered when she started to experience both emotional and physical abuse in the household . The abuse was so bad she attempted suicide at age thirteen. At age sixteen the abuse in the household reached a climax. She felt her life was endangered so she left home and placed herself into the New York foster care system. Pam says, "Foster care literally saved my life. And I will always be grateful."