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.
Matt Jeffries, Bellingham
Matt Jeffries is the legal custodian of Chad Jeffries, who is nine years old. Chad’s father passed away before his birth, and his mother recognized early on that she was unable to provide the care and stability Chad would need. After Chad entered the foster care system, Matt and his wife made the commitment to become his legal custodians, ensuring he would grow up in a safe, supportive, and culturally grounded home.
As Chad developed, Matt learned to navigate the responsibilities of raising a neurodivergent child with severe ADHD. Matt actively educated himself and worked within educational and social service systems to advocate for Chad’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Through vital services provided by his tribal nation, Matt was able to access community-based resources that have supported Chad’s growth in healthy and meaningful ways.
Because of Matt’s dedication, Chad now benefits from multiple supportive resources. He attends a tribal school that addresses his individual learning needs— support that mainstream public education was unable to provide. Chad is also highly active in sports, including several that are culturally significant and rooted in his own bloodline.
Matt has intentionally passed down traditional knowledge by sharing his own cultural items with Chad, including war canoe racing paddles and championship dance regalia that Matt himself wore as a child. Together, they practice art and sport in their home several times a week. Today, Chad is a champion traditional dancer, placing in nearly every powwow he enters, reflecting the strength of cultural continuity, advocacy, and committed caregiving.
— Waylon Ballew
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:
Linda Porter steps up wherever she sees a need
