Jayce Tillman’s life began under the shadow of trauma—but through the steady support of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i’s Hale Mālama program and the love of a devoted adoptive family, his journey became one of healing and hope.
Born at 39 weeks to a 16-year-old mother, Moniga Henry, Jayce—then named Peyton Clement—entered a world of uncertainty. His young mother, originally from the Marshall Islands, faced enormous challenges: limited English, a lack of stable housing, and little family support. Still, early caregivers noted the joy she showed in her son’s presence, even singing and smiling through video calls.
But that joy was interrupted by crisis. At just seven months old, Jayce was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He had suffered a subdural hemorrhage and displayed signs of physical trauma, including bruising and a previously fractured arm. He underwent emergency brain surgery and was later transferred to Kapi‘olani Medical Center’s Pediatric ICU for continued care.
That’s when Catholic Charities Hawai‘i’s Hale Mālama program stepped in.
Hale Mālama, meaning “house of healing,” is a unique foster care program dedicated to infants and toddlers with special healthcare needs like Jayce. It provides a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where children can recover and grow, while also supporting birth families through hands-on training and ‘ohana time visits—fostering hope for reunification whenever possible.
Through Hale Mālama, Catholic Charities connected with foster resource caregivers Jon and Janine Tillman. They received specialized training, emotional support, and ongoing care coordination to prepare them for Jayce’s complex medical and developmental needs. Janine vividly remembers standing outside the hospital room for the first time, hearing Jayce cry.
“The first time I held him, he calmed immediately,” she said. “From that moment on, he wanted to be held close.”
Jayce came home to the Tillmans in September 2019. He was actually the second child the Tillmans adopted from the Hale Mālama program. The family had already opened their hearts and home to Jael, another child with medical needs placed through the same program.
Over the next two years, Hale Mālama continued to walk alongside the family—through home visits, care coordination, and support for reunification efforts with Moniga. Janine worked hard to build trust with Jayce’s birth mother, exchanging messages, photos, and updates.
“When birth families can’t stay together, we don’t want the past erased,” Janine says. “We want to honor it.”
Eventually, Moniga made a brave and selfless choice. Seeing how deeply loved and well cared for her son was, and no longer trusting the family members who had once hurt him, she asked the Tillmans to adopt him. On December 21, 2021, surrounded by his siblings and supported by his extended care team, Jayce Peyton Henry Tillman was officially adopted.
The Tillmans already had a big, loving family—all with names starting with the letter “J”—and they wanted Jayce to feel like he belonged from day one. The name “Jayce,” chosen by the Tillmans, means “healing”—a fitting tribute to a child who has overcome so much. His middle names preserve his connection to his birth name and mother: Peyton and Henry.
For Janine, one of the most beautiful parts of the journey has been watching her own children play a role in Jayce and Jael’s care. “The best part,” she says, “is seeing our older kids jump in, love on, and help care for both Jayce and Jael.”
Today, Jayce is a bright, spirited 6-year-old. He loves music—his tastes range from worship songs to classic rock—and he dreams of being a “soccer rocker” like his older brother. He can go from “Talking to Jesus” to “Bushel and a Peck” and then “Thunderstruck” all within five minutes. His ability to both learn and improvise lyrics entertains us all! Despite developmental delays and a serious seizure disorder, Jayce thrives in school, surrounded by a dedicated team and a loving family.
“He was always meant to be part of our family,” Janine says. “And every day, we pray for healing—for his body, his mind, and his spirit.”
From trauma to trust, from heartbreak to healing—Jayce’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when families, children, and communities are surrounded by love and supported with care. Catholic Charities Hawai‘i and the Hale Mālama program are honored to have been a part of his story.
