Sequim family finds support for fresh start following tragedy

By Matthew Nash • June 20, 2018 1:30 am
In the last year, Sequim Middle School vice-principal Rhonda Kromm, left, sought community support for the Grajales family, from second left, Tammy Babcock, Isaiah, Noah, and William Grajales, and family friend Chris Ogles, following the death of their son/friend Dillyn, and housing and school issues. Recently, Kromm helped the family move back to Kansas for a fresh start. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
In the last year, Sequim Middle School vice-principal Rhonda Kromm, left, sought community support for the Grajales family, from second left, Tammy Babcock, Isaiah, Noah, and William Grajales, and family friend Chris Ogles, following the death of their son/friend Dillyn, and housing and school issues. Recently, Kromm helped the family move back to Kansas for a fresh start. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Filled with tragedy and horrific incidents, the last year hasn’t been easy for the Grajales family.

The family of four — dad William Grajales, mom Tammy Babcock and sons Noah, 16, and Isaiah Grajales, 14 — found themselves in a place where the only place to go was to find a new beginning.

The Grajales’ made Sequim their home for four years living in a rental at the corner of West Alder Street and North Fifth Avenue, but in recent months piping issues left them with a rising utility bill and no water.

A dispute over repairs with the landlord led them to stay with friends but housing opportunities were months out in this competitive market.

“The waiting list is six months for emergency housing and 12-36 months for non-emergency housing (between Sequim and Port Angeles),” William Grajales said. “Some (housing) lists we made too much and did not qualify.”

William worked as a card dealer at 7 Cedars Casino and Tammy worked at Goodwill before losing her job after missing work for family issues.

In February, the couple found their son Dillyn, 22, had committed suicide.

The previous school year, Noah was assaulted in the Sequim Boys & Girls Club and had his jaw broken and 13 teeth shattered leading to ongoing care in Seattle.

Sequim Middle School vice principal Rhonda Kromm has known the Grajales’ for more than year when Noah was at her school. She wanted to help, so she and fellow administrators and community members came together to pay for moving expenses to Salina, Kansas, where they have a new home and jobs lined up.

The Grajales family left for the Midwest on June 16, the day after school ended for summer.

Tammy said Kromm was their only support system helping them find assistance following Dillyn’s death, Noah’s assault, and the water issue.

“Both parents are working and doing everything they can,” Kromm said. “There has been so much emotional drain on them.”

So when the decision was made to go back to Salina — where Tanya grew up and the two youngest boys were born — Kromm sought support on their behalf.

Kromm said she brought over food for the family following Noah’s incident, and after Dillyn’s death she connected Isaiah with counselors and alternative learning environments “taking him under my wing everyday.”

Local churches, including Dungeness Community Church, King’s Way Foursquare, Sequim Bible Church, Sequim Community Church and Sequim Valley Foursquare, and Sequim School District administrator provided funds to purchase a U-Haul for the trip. Sequim School District’s McKinney-Vento Homeless/Foster Care Program provided a tent and sleeping bags for the family to camp along their way to Kansas, and Sequim Middle School staff and district administrators provided funds for travel expenses and they brought in food for the trip. Kromm also hired Tammy to do some work around her home to provide some extra funds.

“It’s truly a blessing,” Tammy said of all the support.

Chris Ogles, an unofficial family member and Dillyn’s best-friend, said the move makes him happy for the family.

“There are some really loving people out there,” Ogles said.

In Kansas, the Grajales’ said they have a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home set up for less than $500 a month and $600 to move in.

Kromm said the family camped their first night on the road in Idaho, the second night in Colorado and arrived on Monday, June 18 in Salina. They have jobs lined up, Kromm said, with William installing carpet in a hotel and Tammy also working at a hotel. The family plans to seek counseling for Dillyn’s death, as well, they said.

The boys will start school in the fall, with Noah starting his sophomore year and Isaiah an eighth-grader.

“I’m incredibly grateful the community rose to meet the needs of this family,” Kromm said.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.