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 19
Sara O'Brien – Ellensburg
Sara O'Brien is the very definition of "Unsung Hero," and in truth, a Kittitas County Community gem. The work she does on a daily basis so often gets swept under the rug and is overshadowed by larger agencies with corporate dollars, but this woman is why communities thrive and local social programs work. You want to see parental skills, look no further. She has dedicated her life to the development of small children, raised two children of her own, and along with her husband have been therapeutic foster parents.
After leaving the realm of Early Childhood Education, this foster-parent/entrepreneur decided to open a locally based Supervised Visitation and Family Support Services Center in Kittitas County. Her mantra, "We go the extra mile for the child" is not something Sara only believes in, but lives out daily. Starting from her small office in her home, she has managed to turn her mission into a center for comprehensive family services.
Sara receives these families when they are at their lowest and through natural grace and sheer passion, instills into them the confidence it will take to overcome this trial. Along with her staff they walk these families through their darkest hour supporting and encouraging them toward positive change.
And let's be honest, the works she does is not pleasant. There is no warm and fuzzy hearts being thrown around in celebration of her efforts. She received no pats on the back less for the gratification of seeing a parent succeed. When they come to her: these parents are broken; their children are in trauma, and the family unit is compromised. This line of work is hard—I know because I have done it. None of us involved in Social Services would deny that helping families is and will always be a difficult task emotionally—but she does this with endless grace. Even the children understand within minutes that she is a safe place to go and are continuously eased by her presence, and understanding of them.
So one may ask, how does she do it? I have mulled this over myself on many occasions. My conclusions: God, education and compassion. Sara understands child development on a uniquely personal level; she lives and breathes it. In her passion for this, she is able to provide parents with the skills necessary for change. Family is something she believes in, and as such, she is able to cultivate what would be a normally stressful ordeal into a time for real transformation.
I have been involved in Social Services for ten years and have yet to come across a person or professional quite like her. She has fostered so many of us "newbies" in ways of the social services and I will never forget her for it. While I might not know with certainty what it is I want to do with the rest of my life, I am without pause or second guess of the person I wish to be most like. With that being said, I ask that you please consider Sara O'Brien for this award. She is an Unsung Hero in so many ways…. And the best part of is, I don't even think she notices. This is just who she is. She just keeps full steam ahead in spite of it all!
Nominator: Ashley Minyard
