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.
Monica Balbuena Zurita, Shelton
ENGLISH: Mrs. Monica is 62 years old and an inspiring woman and grandmother. I met this great woman in the Kinship Program, and FAMILIAS FUERTES in Family Education And Support Services.
Mrs. Monica is raising her 16-year-old granddaughter. This grandmother is a very resilient person who has gone through some very hard obstacles in this country, and she continues her path without giving up. Being a very strong and loving woman, she has taught me that no matter the age and the circumstances, always one must follow the path. She is very proactive when her granddaughter or she needs something: She asks, she looks for a way to be helped or with her hard work she can bring forward her little family that is her and her granddaughter. She always looks for the resources that she or her granddaughter may need.
She is a very hardworking woman and is an independent, admirable and open-minded woman by continuing to learn and reinvent herself by attending parenting workshops. She provides her granddaughter with stability, love and example. That’s why she is an unsung hero for me.
Thank you, Mrs. Monica Balbuena, it is a privilege to have women like you in our community.
EN ESPANOL: Mrs. Monica es una mujer de 62 a~nos y una abuela de inspiracion, yo conoci a esta gran mujer en el programa de Kinship, y familias fuertes en Family Education And support services
Dona Monica esta criando a su jovencita nieta de 16 anos, esta abuela es una persona muy resiliente que ha atravezado por algunos muy duros obstaculos en este pais, y ella sigue su camino sin rendirse, y siendo una mujer muy fuerte y amorosa, ella me ha ensenado que no importa la edad y las circumstancias, siempre uno debe seguir el camino, ella es muy proactiva cuando su nieta o ella necesitan algo, ella pregunta, busca la manera de que se le ayude o con su trabajo duro puede sacar adelante su pequena familia que es ella y su nieta, siempre busca los recursos que ella o su nieta puede necesitar, es una mujer muy trabajadora y es una mujer independiente,admirable, y de mente abierta al seguir aprendiendo y reinventandose al atender talleres de padres de crianza, ella provee a su nieta estabilidad con amor y ejemplo de trabajo honesto para cumplir las necesidades basicas de su nieta y ella.
Por eso ella es una unsung hero para mi. Gracias Senora Monica Balbuena, es una privilegio contar con mujeres como usted en nuestra comunidad.
Nominator: Rosa Venancio
More Unsung Heroes:
Foster mom inspires with her love and dedication
Caregiving grandma champions culturally responsive programs for kids
