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. Enjoy their stories.
Andrea Vargas, Mount Vernon
I am honored to nominate Andrea Vargas, affectionately known as “Doña Andrea” by the children she cares for, because she truly epitomizes the spirit of an Unsung Hero. I have had the privilege of getting to know Andrea in my role as principal of Washington Elementary, and for many years, she has provided loving, consistent care to hundreds of children, from infancy through adolescence. Many of the families she serves are agricultural workers, and while the children eventually attend school, many of them begin and end their days in Andrea’s care. She creates a calm, nurturing and safe environment where children are free to grow, play, and thrive. As a principal, I can confidently say that students who are cared for by Andrea arrive at school regularly, on time, confident, and ready to learn.
Andrea exemplifies extraordinary parental resilience. In addition to the daily demands of caring for multiple children of varying ages, she navigates significant personal challenges, including poverty, food insecurity, and a local and national sociopolitical climate that often feels unsafe for her and the families she serves. Yet none of these obstacles deter her. No matter what she faces, Andrea continues to open her door, her arms, and her heart to children. Her home remains a place of stability, love, and positivity even in the most uncertain times.
Andrea is also a powerful source of social connection for families. She is deeply knowledgeable about available resources and regularly connects parents to the supports they need. Beyond this, she plays an essential role in building community. Many of the children she cares for live in the same neighborhood, and Andrea serves as a trusted connector by bringing families together, fostering relationships, and ensuring no one feels alone during difficult moments.
Children truly thrive in Andrea’s care. I have seen firsthand her deep understanding of child development, particularly physical, social, and emotional growth. Even more impressively, I have watched children arrive to kindergarten with remarkable school-readiness skills. They demonstrate strong self-confidence, empathy for others, joy in learning, independence, problem-solving abilities, and high levels of language development. These children are prepared not just academically, but socially and emotionally, because of the strong foundation Andrea provides.
Andrea’s ability to provide concrete supports in times of need was perhaps most evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. When schools shifted to remote learning, Andrea transformed her very small space into a functional learning environment where children could access Chromebooks and daily Zoom instruction. She did not turn away a single child or family who found themselves in need of assistance as things shut down. Despite never having used a Chromebook, Zoom, or a Wi-Fi hotspot before, Andrea learned everything she needed to help students log in and participate. She advocated tirelessly when internet access was inconsistent and worked with the school to arrange for a Wi-Fi-enabled school bus with sack lunches to park nearby each day. Though remote learning was uninspiring for many students, Andrea ensured they showed up, participated, and stayed connected. She jokingly referred to herself as the “Assistant Principal of Washington,” but in truth, she was much more — a steady caregiver, advocate, and force of good during a time when the world felt anything but stable.
I am far from the only person who recognizes Andrea’s impact. Another community member shared: “Whenever I saw Andrea, I saw a woman who devoted herself to caring for countless children with unconditional love and compassion. She never saw race, language barriers, or financial circumstances. She only saw children who needed care, safety, and affection. Her motivation was never money; it was her deep belief that every child deserves to be loved and valued.”
Recently, Andrea has become very ill and remains hospitalized. In her absence, the magnitude of her contributions has become even more apparent. The void she has left in the community is profound. There is simply no one who can fully replace the care, connection, and stability she has provided for so many years.
Andrea Vargas embodies all five protective factors recognized by DCYF: unwavering parental resilience, strong social connections, deep knowledge of parenting and child development, intentional support of children’s social and emotional competence, and the ability to provide concrete supports in times of need. Her life’s work has reduced stress for families, strengthened children’s outcomes, and built a safer, more connected community. Andrea is the definition of an Unsung Hero, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition.
— Stephanie Jones-Flores
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.
More Unsung Heroes:
A commitment to strengthening families
This parent balances challenges with grace and strength
