Dear Friend,
I am reaching out as I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you. After 29 years as the Founder and CEO of Unity Care, I am moving into a new role within the agency focusing on fund development, advocacy and changing the foster care system into places of healing.
I would also like to share that Sheila Mitchell, former Deputy Chief of Probation Los Angeles County, will be stepping into the CEO role of Unity Care on July 11th as I will move into the Founder’s role on August 14th – exactly 29 years to the day that Unity Care accepted our very first youth into our residential treatment home.
When I started Unity Care 29 years ago, I never imagined that this work would become my full-time vocation; but sometimes God has a different plan. My Phi Beta Sigma fraternity brothers laid the foundation for building a strong, culturally proficient agency that mirrored the Black and Brown youth we serve, and by 1999 I left my tech career to focus on Unity Care full-time.
As I reflect on my journey, I am humbled by the thousands of amazing staff, board members, volunteers, donors and partners who all believed in Unity Care’s commitment and passion for serving our foster care community. Unity Care has been blessed with some of the most committed, passionate and talented professionals who do their utmost day after day to promote the welfare of the children and youth entrusted in our care. The walls of our administrative offices are covered with photos of youths and their families enjoying summer picnics, playing basketball, camping, ski trips, graduating from high school, college tours, working on community services projects, and reunifying with family. This work is a part of who I am and what I stand for.
It truly takes a village to serve our community, and I am grateful that God provided me this opportunity to be his servant. Words cannot express my humble appreciation for each one of you who have labored in this journey with Unity Care.
Thank you and God bless.
Sincerely,
André Chapman
