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: biological parents, grandparents, foster and adoptive parents. Some volunteer at local schools; some have started nonprofits; some mentor others in their communities. Enjoy the stories of 2024’s unsung heroes.
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.
Amanda McAferty, Rochester
Amanda has tirelessly advocated and cared for several foster youth through the past four years. I have witnessed her accepting and working side by side with biological families. She rejoices and mourns the successful return of youth to their families and/or the successful adoption of a child. She can see the gray in foster care and that every situation has the hard (negatives) and the light (positive). Amanda is there for the youth, puts their needs first, and continues to be a positive person through it all.
Recently, she has been caring for an incredibly complex medical youth.
Amanda and her family continue to love and care for this child through many hospitalizations, new daily medical equipment, and constantly changing medical needs. The amount of time spent coordinating medical care and attending medical appointments is astronomical. While doing this, she continues to support previous placements and their current caregivers, both adoptive and biological parents. All the while raising her biological and adoptive children.
Amanda is the ideal example of a foster parent. She continues to rise to the occasion, over and over.
All because she has chosen to care.
— Joyce Erickson
More Unsung Heroes:
Kristin Weddle exemplifies what Parents as Teachers stands for
Motivated mom reunited with her three sons
Putting foster child’s needs above their own
