Seattle's Child is proud to once again sponsor the Unsung Heroes being honored in February by the Department of Children, Youth and Families Strengthening Families Washington.
Every day this month we'll present an Unsung Hero.
Nominations are accepted from around the state and include biological parents, grandparents, foster and adoptive parents. Some volunteer at local schools; some have started nonprofit organizations; some mentor others in their communities. All honorees are true heroes: outstanding caregivers doing important work on behalf of children.
Debbie Radice, Redmond
Debbie is the relative caregiver for all four of her grandchildren from her youngest daughter.
She is soon to become their legal guardian. She has shown the ability to come back from stress when her daughter's actions caused Debbie to lose some of her income. She bounced back resilient as ever, and gathered together her strong family support system, and was not afraid to ask for, or receive help from family, her local community, DCYF, her local church support systems and community resources, such as food banks.
She understands that her grandchildren need to be parented in a stable environment, and with empathy and support toward their emotional needs and mental-health needs due to childhood traumas experienced by all four children.
Debbie is one of the strongest and most courageous individuals that I know, and I have been blessed as a worker to have the opportunity to work so closesly with her toward permanency for her grandchildren.
Nominator: Megan Socea
More Unsung Heroes:
Aaron Morningred, "an inspiration as a person and as a parent"
Jamie Lucas gives selfless support to parents in tough times
Ashley Stefani, a model of love, resilience and generosity
