Amy Jacobsen knows: Children can never have too many people who love them | Unsung Hero

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.

Amy Jacobsen, Kent

Amy Jacobsen is an Unsung Hero because she is both a foster and adoptive parent, as well as a facilitator of Amara’s STAR Adoptive Parent support groups. STAR groups provide adoptive parents with the opportunity to share and better understand the challenges and joys that are unique to adoptive parenting, while building new friendships and connecting with a community of parents who really “get it.”

As a facilitator, Amy guides STAR group participants through the sometimes-difficult conversations and emotions that come from being an adoptive parent, such as discussing when and how to tell children the hard parts of their origin stories. She helps participants develop an understanding of ways to help adopted children build healthy identities as adoptees. This can be challenging because sometimes the topics discussed during group meetings are new and uncomfortable for adoptive parents to hear. Amy approaches these conversations with compassion and shares her own lived experience as an adoptive parent to help other adoptive parents have the knowledge and courage to successfully navigate these issues.

In addition, as a foster parent, Amy works diligently to maintain relationships with the families of the children she cares for. She goes out of her to way to meet parents where they are and supports their relationships with their children. She also regularly provides care for another child placed with a kinship caregiver as part of the child’s “village,” because she knows children can never have too many people who love them.

Nominator: Katie Biron