CONCORD – Applause filled the room as Gov. Maggie Hassan read a proclamation announcing February as Parent Recognition Month.

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, New Hampshire Children’s Trust/Prevent Child Abuse New Hampshire presented 28 awards to parents and caregivers to recognize these extraordinary people who go above and beyond to be the best parents that they can be.

Honorees and their families, including three recipients from Nashua, gathered in the Governor and Council Chambers at the Statehouse for the eighth annual Unsung Hero Parent Recognition Awards ceremony.

The event was held “to help strengthen our families and our communities, and I can think of no better way to do that than to honor the people who, day in and day out, are working with children and their families to make every human’s life better, to support every child with a kind of foundational grounding that they need,” Hassan said.

Recipients included:

Janell Davis, of Nashua, who was nominated by Nancy Pynchon.

Davis has been raising her three children by herself while her husband has been away for three years. She does this while having a full-time job and going to graduate school. As the lead teacher in the infant room at a child care center, Davis is a role model to other parents.

Within her own family, she helps her children cope with their father’s absence, but makes sure he is aware of all the children’s accomplishments.

Alfonso Kuri and Diana Chavez, of Nashua, who were nominated by Ivonne Rosario.

Kuri and Chavez are the parents of three children, including their 13-year-old son who is affected by severe medical issues. Kur works second shift so he can help with the morning routine, such as getting their son onto the school bus and helping with numerous doctors’ appointments. They take the time to ensure that their son’s emotional and physical needs are more than met.

Their home is always open to friends for the sharing of board games or bingo.

Susan Bahrakis, of Pelham, who was nominated by Nicole Gilliam.

Bahrakis lost both of her sons at a young age to medical conditions. Despite this unimaginable tragedy, she has bounced back and made advocating and caring for children her life’s work.

In addition to caring for others’ children daily, Bahrakis has taken in her three grandchildren. They are thriving in a healthy, safe and supportive home environment.

“This is my favorite event of the year,” said Julie Day, Strengthening Families director at the New Hampshire Children’s Trust. “To see the parents being honored for being strong for their kids is such a joy.”

Award recipients were nominated by family, friends or co-workers who believe the parents’ strength and empathy make them role models. Nominators also believe the Unsung Heroes demonstrate effective use of the “5 Protective Factors”:

Parental Resilience: Overcoming everyday stress and bouncing back.

Social Connections: Having people who know and support them.

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: Where to find out about parenting skills and developmental growth.

Concrete Support in Times of Need: Knowing where to turn for help.

Social and Emotional Competence: Knowing how to help their children talk about their feelings.

“It is an honor to recognize parents for being heroes to their children and role models for their community,” New Hampshire Children’s Trust Executive Director Keryn Bernard-Kriegl said.

For more information, visit nhchildrenstrust.org/unsunghero15.

Newsletter