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.
Tui Shelton, Auburn
Tui is an amazing voice for fathers and families. He is a single dad of seven kids who started as a volunteer when his family was involved in Head Start and he was on their Advisory Council. From there he just kept saying yes when anyone asked him to help dads not go through the
challenges he experienced.
He never had a father role model and is committed to change that for his family. After many challenging missteps as a young man he finally found his stride and attributes this all to his kids: “If I hadn’t had my daughter(s) I’d probably be dead by now.”
He helped start a fathers group with two other like-minded dads called Daddy Can Do It Too, which was a casualty of COVID-19 when all three of them experienced some serious challenges that took their energy away from this volunteer lead effort. He has been a strong and vital force on
the Washington Fatherhood Council for the past three years and he is changing lives for dads with his compassion and his commitment to help their experience be easier than his has been.
He faces stigma and biases everywhere he goes and in every family-serving system, and he is not alone. and a more loving, nurturing, and strong parent you will not find.
Nominator: Anne Stone
More Unsung Heroes:
Josie Garcia is passionate about her family and community
This foster family greets kids with love, laughter and support
Kasey Knutson embraces challenges most parents will never know
Meet Katie Strickland, our state’s first legally blind foster parent
