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.
Dawn & Mike McNitt, Colville
This couple shares one girl child and mom has two boys from another relationship who do not live in the same home.
In the last five years of my interactions and relationship as a community member with this family, I have witnessed recovery of the girl from CPS involvement over a 10-month process, and now the parents have become advocates for other community families in how to prevent CPS involvement through support and interventions they often provide at their own expense.
Dawn has elevated herself in the community as a housing specialist/trailer park manager where she has been trained in the state and federal regulations of the landlord/tenant parameters and uses this information to support other struggling families when they are faced with housing barriers or challenges. Mike has been supportive to fathers and boy family members to help them understand how they can be effective in their household and in the community and has gone so far as to help those who come to his front door, with a room to sleep in while they are seeking employment and discovering their independence while being good members of society by volunteering where needed.
Their daughter has also been a wonderful young lady at her school where she is quick to volunteer to lead or support other students in activities such as being a new student or a student identified as struggling with schoolwork.
Overall, this little family has been the pinnacle of what successful parents who have experienced the realm of DCYF can look like if you do as requested and commit to learning from the event as a lesson in life. I am proud to now be a community person they have referred families to for support beyond their capacity.
Nominator: Shari DePaulo
More Unsung Heroes:
She pushed for an adaptive swing, and that was just the beginning
Spokane mom strives to become the best version of herself
Kendall Bowen goes above and beyond for kids placed in her care
Marysville couple form beautiful bonds while helping kids heal
