Seattle’s Child is proud to partner with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families Strengthening Families Washington to honor outstanding caregivers doing important work on behalf of children. Throughout February, we’ll introduce you to Unsung Heroes from around the state. Enjoy their stories.
Morgan Packard, Walla Walla
I am nominating Morgan for her dedication to improving her family and community.
I have known Morgan for about five years officially. When I first met Morgan, it was around 2016 in court. I would attend dependency court with some of my clients, and Morgan was present as a parent involved in the child welfare system when her child was removed. Although I didn’t know her personally, I saw her strength, resilience, and the hard work she was putting in to reunite with her child. I knew nothing about her outside of her situation with the system.
I later started working at a local nonprofit, where she came under my supervision. I never revealed that I was aware of her circumstances, and we continued working together for roughly a year. During that time, I learned that she had reunited with her child, had another child and was in a healthy relationship. She also started taking steps to be involved with Parents 4 Parents (P4P). She found it challenging to connect with families during COVID but eventually stepped away from that role to focus on her full-time job. When she isn’t working to support community needs — such as NA programs, visiting juvenile detention centers to support incarcerated youth, or working for P4P supporting families — she spends time exploring nature with her two boys, participating in sports, and creating positive experiences for them.
Morgan has a beautiful family and remains strong in her convictions. She knows when to step back and distance herself and her family from situations or people that don’t align with their values.
— Shawniene Bingham
NOTE: Seattle’s Child is running these stories unedited, as written by the people who nominated them, in keeping with the DCYF Unsung Hero process.
More Unsung Heroes:
This mom overcame many obstacles and odds
