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28 NH parents to receive honor Monday

7th Annual Unsung Hero Awards

CONCORD - "We're not looking for 'Parent of the Year.' We all struggle," says Strengthening Families Director Julie Day.

In honor of February as Parent Recognition Month, NH Children's Trust and Governor Maggie Hassan will honor 28 parents from every county in NH at the 7th Annual Unsung Hero Awards on Monday evening. The Executive Council Chambers, usually quiet and frequented by various state employees and elected officials, will be packed with families of all ages and walks of life. In past years, love, support and encouragement seemed to beam around the room.

Each honoree was nominated by a member of their community who considered the parents' strength, courage and empathy that of a role model for all NH parents. (See full list and biographies of Monday's honorees.)

"They're doing the best they possibly can right now [and] someone has noticed that they are trying their hardest," Day says in reference to this year's nominations. The qualities these parents exemplify portray the 5 Protective Factors, which are proven to reduce stress and promote the well-being of all families.

The 5 Protective Factors* are:

Parental Resilience: "I can overcome hard times and bounce back."
Social Connection: " I have people who know and support me."
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: "I know where to go to find out about parenting skills and my child's developmental growth."
Concrete support in times of need: "I know where to turn to for help."
Social and Emotional Competence of Children: "I know how to help my children talk about their feelings."

Day's committee, was tasked with the job of sifting through nominations and picking 28 to honor. Though she says it is a tough job, she also notes this is her favorite event of the year.

"To watch their faces when they get their awards and look at their kids' when their parent gets called up to get the award is really quite fulfilling," says Day with a big smile on her face.

Upon receiving their framed award from the governor, the parents and their families are each photographed with Hassan. After the ceremony parents and their families are welcomed to a reception with light appetizers and snacks where Day says they can, "take it all in."

This year's ceremony will be at 5 pm in the Executive Council Chambers at the NH State House in Concord, NH on Monday, February 10.

To see photos and information from last year's award ceremony, visit our website.

For more information or quotes contact Julie Day at jday@nhchildrenstrust.org or call 603-415-0327.

NH Children's Trust

Mission: To lead the drive toward eliminating child abuse and neglect in New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Children's Trust is the Governor's designated statewide Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention lead agency, the New Hampshire Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, and a member of the National Alliance of Children's Trust & Prevention Funds. Founded in 1986 as the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund, a quasi-governmental organization, the agency transitioned to the New Hampshire Children's Trust, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in 2011. The New Hampshire Children's Trust is a public charity and donations are tax deductible.

*According to the Center for the Study of Social Policy, research studies support the common-sense notion that when these Protective Factors are well established in a family, the likelihood of child abuse and neglect diminishes. Research shows that these protective factors are also "promotive" factors that build family strengths and a family environment that promotes optimal child and youth development.