Port Townsend couple represent all that is good about foster care | Unsung Heroes

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.

All month long, we’ll introduce you to Unsung Heroes from around the state: biological parents, grandparents, foster and adoptive parents. Some volunteer at local schools; some have started nonprofits; some mentor others in their communities. Enjoy their stories.

Andy & Anita Schmucker, Port Townsend

Andy and Anita Schmucker are pillars of our community.

They have been active foster parents in Jefferson County for approximately 23 years, they have so many children and youth come through their doors that they’ve lost count, having had 18 placements just this year alone. Andy and Anita have adopted three children, and have been granted guardianship of many others who not only call them Mom and Dad, but who return year after year for holidays and visits, many who now bring children of their own who know Andy and Anita as Grandma and Grandpa.

This is a loud home, a busy home, with a constant stream of people coming and going, a home full of love, of laughter, and of heartache.

It is beautiful imperfection, bursting with love. Andy and Anita have experienced much loss and heartache, but they’ve also given and experienced so much love. This is a couple who believes in sitting with children in the hard times, in walking through life with them and helping to navigate the complex trauma that often comes with youth experiencing foster care.

Andy and Anita not only understand the bond a child has with their biological parents, but they support and encourage those relationships with the youth in their home. It is not uncommon to see bio-parents enter the door of the Schmuckers’ home, before and after they’ve regained custody of their children. It is a beautiful thing to see foster parents wrap their arms around not only the children, but their parents as well. They embody the saying, “It takes a village.”

Andy and Anita model unconditional love and support time and time again. Not only are they role models for the youth they serve, but for newer foster parents they mentor, bio-parents they help guide, and by inspiring all who cross their path. When we think of foster care, of all that it is, all that we want it to be, we think of the Schmucker home.

Nominator: Katie Davis