Strengthening Families Washington 2016 Unsung Hero: Joanne Coriell

February 10, 2016

Honoree:  Joanne Coriell, Davenport

Nominator:  Sherri Bartlett and Jolene Erickson

Joanne and all of this family have for many years taken in foster children and adopted a number of them that have been in high risk situations,

injured by others and most often are special needs children.  Joanne could have used her nursing license to make more money but has instead

used her considerable skills to give these very special children a loving stable home.  Some of these children will never be able to care for

themselves.  The family keep telling me they are done but when they are called by DCFS on another child that no one else can care for they open

their hearts and home and very often on a permanent basis.  I don't have a final count of the number they have done this for but it is not one or

two and more than three. 

I have worked with her for a number of years with several children through our Birth to Three program and Children with Special Health Care

Needs program.  This family is well known and active in this small community through the schools, city council and many other venues so have

built a number of protective factors for their children and family members.

Seattle's Child is proud to once again sponsor the Unsung Heroes being honored in February by  the Department of Early Learning’s Strengthening Families Washington. Every day this month we'll present an Unsung Hero on seattleschild.com.   Nominations are accepted from around the state and and include biological parents, grandparents, foster and adoptive parents. Some volunteer at local schools; some have started nonprofit organizations; some mentor others in their communities. All honorees are true heroes – outstanding caregivers doing important work on behalf of children.