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Tessie Ottaway-Chung

Tessie Ottaway-Chung is a full-time student and youth peer counselor. After a rocky start in and out of the juvenile justice system, she realized that she wanted to support young people from similar backgrounds. In June, she will graduate from Western Washington University with a bachelor's degree in human services. She plans to pursue a master's degree in elementary education to continue helping young people as a teacher. She is so excited to reframe her lived experience with juvenile justice and homelessness to empower young people and show them that they can prevail, and accomplish greatness, no matter their background.

2/3/2022

A Factor Too Often Ignored: The Influence of Parental Mental Health on Children

Parental mental health affects the likelihood that a family will get involved in the child welfare system, writes Tessie Ottaway-Chung.

12/14/2021

Q&A with Sarah Rogers of Washington’s Dove House Advocacy Services

Youth Voice writer Tessie Ottaway-Chung interviewed Sarah Rogers of Dove House Advocacy Services in Washington state.

Those who have faced housing insecurity sound off on what it's like, and what resources are needed.

8/2/2021

Housing Insecurity on the Olympic Peninsula

Those who have faced housing insecurity or served the population sound off on what it's like, and what resources are needed to address the issue in Washington.

6/16/2021

Funding, Policies for Washington’s Homeless Youth Are Not Sufficient

Young people are our most precious and vulnerable asset, and should be treated accordingly. Washington state should invest more to make that happen and remove barriers for homeless youth.

4/22/2021

The Conviction of George Floyd’s Murderer Should not be so Shocking

When I was 9 years old, Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election. I was at my best friend’s house, and our moms were watching the election. They were drinking substantial amounts of wine in anticipation of him losing, despite their highest hopes for him to win.