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.
Honoree: Chelsea Hope, Bellingham
Chelsea has overcome tremendous hurdles since becoming a parent and exemplifies parental resilience in a way that I believe deserves special recognition.
She is a single mother of twin girls born on Dec. 29, 2020, during the COVID-10 pandemic. Both of her babies needed admittance to the NICU due to feeding issues and cardiac issues.
Chelsea has excelled at the complex management of her twins and their special health and developmental needs as they have grown. This has included one infant in the NICU for over 6 months, and also managing feeding tubes, a foot brace to correct a clubbed foot, recovery from multiple cardiac surgeries, a specialized helmet and all the needed care involved at home.
Chelsea also has her own health needs and surgeries due to a diagnosis of scoliosis, a heart issue and other health concerns. While having one medically complex child, let alone two, would be overwhelming, Chelsea has exhibited outstanding resilience, stayed focused on providing responsive, empathetic, patient and positive care, and is highly engaged in expanding her supports through programs like the Nurse-Family Partnership and Early Intervention.
Her twins are now almost 2 and thriving and she’s done this all as a single parent while staying strong in her recovery from substance use disorder and diagnosed depression. In March, she celebrates eight years sober. She is truly a gem of a person, and I hope she gets the opportunity to be recognized for all she has accomplished as a mother.
Nominator: Erin Schuldt
Unsung Heroes from 2022:
Dedicated single mom of 6 also helps parents facing tough times
Katie Biron: a passion for healing families, building community
Caregiving grandma champions culturally responsive programs for kids
Alejandra Ornelos is “an angel for her daughter”
Mom’s courage and hard work got family out of homelessness, into stability
