Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Strengthening Families Washington 2016 Unsung Hero Sheena Oldham

Sheena Oldham is a parent, foster parent, Head Start teacher and overcomer. From meth addiction and prison at rock bottom, Sheena has risen like a Phoenix.

February 24, 2016

Honoree:  Sheena Oldham, Bellingham

Nominator:  Byron Manering

 

Sheena Oldham is a parent, foster parent, Head Start teacher and overcomer.  From meth addiction and prison at rock bottom, Sheena has risen like a Phoenix.  She used her resilience and drive to escape that lifestyle.  She has the wisdom to anchor to a network of support through community resources such as Brigid Collins Family Support Center.

 

“I threw myself into everything at Brigid Collins…therapy, parenting classes, “Growing Together.”  I also had huge help from my parents and my family and the church.  It was a lot of work.  I went back to school and I graduated at the top of my class.”

 

She has chosen a life that gives back to nurture children through education and fostering using sound practices.

 

“It’s the most amazing thing ever to watch them start out not knowing how to spell their name or not even knowing how to write the first letter of their name.  And working with them or just even watching them work on their own.  All of a sudden they are able to get the ‘T’ and the ‘O’ or they’re like, ‘Hey, that’s my name!’  Or thing just start connecting.  I always look at them as little seeds in a flower pot of how they just grow and start sprouting out.”

 

She showed vast bravery with willingness to find and apply help and be a force for good.  Sheena is an ideal candidate for an Unsung Hero Award.

 

 

About the Author