February is Parent Recognition Month. Strengthening Families Washington, of the Department of Early Learning for Washington State, believes there is no better way to recognize a parent, grandparent, foster or adoptive parent than by acknowledging the numerous and impressive things they do to strengthen their family and those around them in their community.
Seattle's Child is proud to sponsor the Washington Unsung Hero Awards, recognizing our everyday heroes and honoring the important role caregivers play in children's lives. There are 28 nominees for the 28 days of February, and Seattle's Child will highlight each and every one.
Congratulations to the Unsung Hero for February 3: Carmen Gonzalez – Burien, WA:
Carmen is a caregiver to all of us: her children, her siblings, her co-workers, and her clients. She is not only an amazing parent herself, but she has devoted her life to helping others become amazing parents in their own right.
Carmen works as a Family Advocate at New Futures, a nonprofit in south King County. She spends her days connecting families with crucial resources – counseling, parenting classes, English classes, medical appointments – and dispensing valuable advice when parents are not sure where to turn. She leads a Play and Learn group at New Futures, helping parents to bond and play with their children, modeling effective communication, and having a great time along the way.
She is an incredible role model to her own five children, especially her daughter, who is lucky enough to have in her own home a strong, vocal, caring, and dependable woman to look up to. She remains a beloved older sister to her siblings, who have relied upon her since they were children. Carmen's path in life has not been easy, but she has met every challenge with resilience and courage that is inspiring to all of us.
Carmen understands that a community is stronger when people are taken care of, and she is driven by a deep love and commitment to her family, clients, and neighbors. We all feel so lucky to have Carmen's nurturing spirit taking care of us and strengthening our community, one family at a time.
Nominator: Kate Elias
