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 4: Sence Gonzalez – Olympia, WA:
Ausencio is an extraordinary father to his children and stepchildren. He works a full-time job during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, which often times means commuting from Olympia to Seattle, or Portland regularly for trainings and classes to keep himself up-to-date with the technical aspects of his job for days or weeks at a time, just so that he can be home each morning to start the day with his children, and home again each evening, so that he can help them with homework, dinner, story time, and bedtime routines. He has 3 stepchildren, ages 15, 11, and 8, in addition to daughter, age 13, a son, age 5, and twin infants, ages 10 months. Ausencio has taken the initiative to teach his children to use sign language to communicate at an early age, before speech has been developed. He enjoys cooking, and prepares most of the family's meals. He incorporates healthy ingredients, in order to make sure that his children are receiving proper nutrition. He loves to dance with, and play music with and for his children. He plays the guitar for the twins, which is quick to calm them when they need to be soothed. He also takes the time to teach the children to value their belongings, and helps them straighten up their rooms and make their beds each morning. Each evening, Ausencio reads a bedtime story, and he always makes sure the younger children brush, floss, and rinse their teeth before going to sleep. After the children go to bed, and often on weekends, he may be found working on side projects to help earn the family extra income.
Ausencio has also made it clear to the children that education is one of the most important tools they can equip themselves with. He continues his education, despite his technical degree, regularly by enrolling in online and on-campus courses when time and money permit, and has even applied for, and received education grants.
Ausencio is an extremely dedicated, hard-working, loving father, who is confident in taking care of his children, including his infants, alongside his wife, without having to be asked. He sees the needs of the children and acts quickly, and thoughtfully. He has become an exemplary parent and a great role model for his children.
Nominator: Carrie Gonzalez
