About Pam

Pam Mines is a true example that with perseverance, hard work and faith, anything is possible. Pam’s career began in the field of early childhood development. She has evaluated, consulted, directed and founded multiple Day Care and Child Development Centers in Richmond, VA.

By 2005, Pam and her husband, Perry, were working together full-time for the organization they founded, Luv’em Like MINES Youth Services, Inc., helping and mentoring at-risk youth between the ages of 5 and 21 years old.

Pam and Perry have three children: Michelle, Sydnee and James Perry (JP). In 2005, JP was diagnosed with a developmental delay, and soon after diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their daughter, Sydnee, joined their family in 2008 after her biological mother, and Pam’s god-sister, passed away from complications of neurofibromatosis (NF). Sydnee also has NF as well as ADHD. Pam views her children’s diagnoses as a blessing and a calling. She has adopted a pro-active approach to raising differently-abled children and become an advocate for all children and families with special needs.

Pam founded JP Jumpers Foundation, to positively impact families affected by Autism, Special Needs and unique circumstances. Through JP Jumpers Foundation, she has raised money and awareness for both non-profits and for-profits that serve this community. She has written a book, God Chose Me: An Interactive Book to Promote Family Building, with her daughter, Michelle as the illustrator. God Chose Me serves as a learning tool and guide for children with different abilities.

In 2014, Pam led the legislation to establish “JP’s Law” (SB367) in Virginia. This law gained bi-partisan support, and established a special identification card for persons with special needs. This identification card helps law enforcement understand when they may be engaging with someone with special needs. The training programs she has led trains law enforcement how to safely, responsibly and successfully engage in these situations and understand some responses of those with special needs.

Pam’s work, advocacy and ability to inspire meaningful change has been recognized several times over the years. She has been named a “Richmond’s Top 40 Under 40”, Urban League of Greater Richmond’s “Leader in our Community Award”, Richmond’s Radio-One “Hometown Champion”, and a national Steve Harvey “Good Neighbor” Award finalist for her community work. She has been asked to serve on several advisory committees and panels. In 2016 she shared her experience through her talk “Learning to See Unseen Communities” to a sold out TEDxRVA crowd. In 2017 she was recognized as a “Hometown Hero” for her work in the community, in 2018 she was honored as a “Richmond History Maker in the Encouraging Regional Collaboration” category. In 2019 our nation’s capital, the District of Columbia adopted JP’s Law and she was selected as a “Story Slammer” for the sold out Women’s Achieve Summit audience hosted by Queen Latifah.

Pam continues to write, speak, give and advocate. She feels blessed and grateful that God saw fit to trust her with such a tremendous responsibility; to not be the voice for the special needs community, but to be A voice for those with special needs. This remarkable woman hopes that she will be able to positively impact many, showing them that through their many challenges, they are CHOSEN.