New Bedford Native Overcomes Foster Care Trauma to Inspire Thousands

Taken from his mother as an infant, abandoned by his father, and unloved in the foster care system, New Bedford native Steve Pemberton understandably had a difficult childhood growing up in the city's West End.

Pemberton, however, faced down those challenges, graduated from New Bedford High School, earned a degree at Boston College, and attained leadership positions in the private sector.

Pemberton is also an author and motivational speaker. He spoke with Townsquare Sunday about his life, his success, and the work that's yet to be done.

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A Childhood Marked by Loss and Uncertainty

"I was taken from my mother at one-and-a-half years old and never saw her again," Pemberton said. "My father was unknown. I would learn later in life my mother succumbed to alcoholism when I was eight, and my father was murdered when I was five."

Life Inside the Foster Care System

Pemberton was placed in the foster care system and said he was fighting a dual battle every day: a longing for his parents and wondering when they would come and get him, while trying to stay safe and secure in one particular foster home. He said while the vast majority of foster homes offer love and support for their foster child, his experience was not a good one.

Pemberton said his foster parents were manipulative, taking in children for the money.

"It became my childhood mission to defeat them, and ultimately, I did," he said. "Certainly, there were moments of enormous despair, but those moments of despair were met by the spirit of New Bedford and everyday people who nudged me in directions that changed the trajectory of my life."

The ‘Lighthouses’ Who Changed His Life

Pemberton calls those people his "lighthouses," and they include Claire Levin, who kept bringing him books to read while he was in foster care; Ruby Dottin, who provided the hope and direction for him to succeed in higher education; and John Sykes, who opened his home to Pemberton after his foster care days ended.

Pemberton said we all have lighthouses. "When facing difficult times, we should not only think about our own lighthouses, but for whom can we be a lighthouse," he said.

Giving Back to New Bedford’s Next Generation

Pemberton is beginning a new project this year, establishing the Pemberton Family Scholarship, five $1,000 awards through his A Chance in the World Foundation in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford. According to a press release, the scholarships will honor the community that quietly reached back for him.

Pemberton's best-selling memoir A Chance in the World was later adapted into a young adult book and a feature film. His second book, The Anchor Principle, will be published in February 2027.

If you would like your community organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.