About Us

Mission

As recipients of God’s love, we demonstrate love for our neighbor by strengthening under-resourced neighborhoods in South Orange County.

Distinctives

  • For Unidos, the neighborhood is the unit of change. Rather than identifying an area like healthcare or education, we identify a geographic location. Because relational networks transmit both information and intangible benefits, collective change is possible across various areas. This narrow geographic focus allows us to reach a wide range of issues including education, public advocacy, healthcare access, gang prevention, spiritual wellbeing and housing stability.

    Read a New York Times Article, "The Neighborhood is the Unit of Change."

  • With a vision for South Orange County, we identified our neighborhood of focus through data analysis. The Advance OC Equity Map identifies our neighborhood as having the lowest “social progress” of South Orange County (with a score of 35 out of 100 based on numerous criteria) and the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 ranks census tract 6059042312 in the 72nd percentile, one of the highest percentiles of South Orange County for traffic density, linguistic isolation, poverty, and housing burden. We regularly gather lived experience data through community forums and integrate this type of data with statistical data to inform our programming and initiatives. Click here to read how we followed the data to inspire our upcoming Housing Stability Initiative.

  • We say “Our Faith is Our Fuel,” because we are motivated by the biblical principle that God is love and we, as made in God’s image, are to reflect that love into the world. Our guiding scripture comes from the words of Jesus in John 15:12, “My command is this: love one another as I have loved you.” (Read More)

  • Following a biblical principle of incarnational ministry, we believe in leading from within. All programs, initiatives and growth plans stem from residents’ insight. So lived experience is one of the most valued qualifications for those who lead. We strive to clear the barriers and divert streams of privilege so that the soil of indigenous leadership is replenished in the community. Our staff team is majority-residents and we aim for a majority of our governing board to have lived experience with the ethno-socio-economic realities of the neighborhood by 2026.

History

When John and Heather Chapman moved home to South Orange County after living in Peru for eight years, one question pressed on their hearts: What does it look like to love your neighbor in this context? For them, South Orange County’s most prominent feature was the stark disparities and relational distances between the dominant, majority-white middle class and majority-Latino community working in the service industry. So they dug into the data and found one neighborhood where these disparities were most highlighted: the Capistrano Villas in San Juan Capistrano. 

With the help of Branches Church, the Chapmans met residents who cared about their community and donated the use of their garages while they were at work for a Homework Club, the number one request of residents. This flagship program began in January 2017 with students recommended by Kinoshita Elementary teachers and volunteers from local churches. One student led to five, then ten, then thirty as trust in the community was built hour by hour of demonstrating God’s love in practical ways that responded to the needs of the community. 

But it was never only about a simple Direct Service. That Direct Service was part of something bigger: holistic neighborhood development. Unidos became part of the learning community, Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) and began utilizing that growing trust to meet more and more resident leaders who were already active in serving their community. These resident leaders began building the foundation for what would become our Community Building and Resident-Led Initiatives.

After incubating the organization under Mountain View Church, Unidos South OC was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in October 2018 with a mission to strengthen underresourced neighborhoods in South Orange County.

  • Performing Arts Camp 2017

  • Homework in the Garage

  • Party with GreatOpps 2017

  • First Community Walk 2017

  • 1st Event Planning 2018

  • 1st Kermes

  • Supporting Breakthrough Applications 2018

  • 1st Workshop: Immigration 2018

  • 1st Skills Class: Sewing 2018

  • Growing out of the Garage 2018

  • Library+Beach Days 2018

  • Library+Beach Days 2018

  • Musical Theater Camp 2018

Values

  • All people have been created in the image of God. –Genesis 1:27

    In a united community, the dignity of each person is recognized and valued so that they will be empowered.

    When we are moved with compassion toward direct action, we will respect the boundaries of the will, self-determination and dignity of those served. We recognize that the best people to identify problems and solutions are those who are impacted by such circumstances and exercise humility in considering the needs and perspectives of others more important than our own (Philippians 2:3). Residents are not the project or the mission field (recipients), but full participants in God’s work of strengthening the neighborhood.

    Partners’ Commitment: We will listen before we act.

    Residents’ Commitment: We are worthy of love and respect. Somos dignos de amor y respeto.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. … A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

    Existing community is both fortified and expanded toward our vision of unity.

    Community means unity-with. Everything we do rests on the foundation of relationships. Believing that people are the most valuable assets of the neighborhood, we prioritize trust, honesty and friendship. We listen before acting and prioritize people over project metrics. This requires flexibility and a slower pace. We seek to grow our programs only at the speed of relational growth so that we will remain a grass-roots network of neighbors and not a service provider.

    Partners’ Commitment: We will prioritize people over projects.

    Residents’ Commitment: We spread trust. Difundimos confianza.

  • After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 7:9-10

    In a united community, diversity is valued over homogeneity - not just skin color and culinary traditions but also values, perspectives, and worldviews.

    We celebrate differences in culture and backgrounds because humanity is made diverse as an expression of a diverse God who exists in three persons, Father, Son Spirit. Diverse perspectives are assets and should be included as much as possible in decision-making spaces centering collective discernment so that this value of diversity will impact all areas of programming and operation. We look for opportunities to build relational proximity across differences so that compassion will be built and marginalized voices may be amplified.

    Partners’ Commitment: Our culture is not a litmus test; difference is beautiful.

    Residents’ Commitment: We are proud of our roots. Somos orgullosos de nuestros raices.

  • But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 1 Corinthians 12:24-25

    In a united community, resources and attention are not distributed evenly but equitably, which eventually leads toward equality.

    Rather than allowing usual patterns of power dynamics to influence relationships and programs, Unidos takes pause to consider how and where privilege may be leveraged, and power and benefits may be shared. We look for barriers to remove. We clear paths so that residents may walk on their own feet to healing and empowerment.

    Partners’ Commitment: We will get out of the way to allow space for emerging voices.

    Residents’ Commitment: We will promote leadership at all levels. Promoveremos liderazgo a todo nivel.

  • God has shown you what is good and what the Lord requires of you: To do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God. –Micah 6:8

    In a united community, we respond to systemic injustice with systemic solutions (Acts 6).

    We recognize that Unidos exists because the world is not right/just. Biblically speaking, that is injustice. Just as broken relationships are the result of personal/internal sin, the result of corporate/external sin is injustice in society. At Unidos we are not only interested in bandaging wounds but also considering what is causing the harm and repairing it - i.e “doing justice,” resulting in a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Often, doing justice means changing the way things work, which may impact the comfort of those for whom the current injustice may benefit. But justice - making things right - is required for unity. “Love is the motive, but justice is the instrument.” Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971)

    Partners’ Commitment: We will prioritize justice for our neighbor over our own comfort.

    Residents’ Commitment: We will stand up for what is right. Defendemos lo que es justo.

Recognitions

  • Hispanic Heritage Recognition

    Selected by Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley to be recognized for our work in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, 2023

  • Nonprofit of the Year for CA District 73

    Selected by California State Assemblymember Laurie Davies as the California Nonprofit of the Year

  • Mayor's Award

    Awarded special recognition in 2020 by San Juan Capistrano Mayor Troy Bourne for “taking care of the most vulnerable in our community” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • PBIS Community Cares

    Recognized by the California PBIS Coalition and the Orange County Dept of Education as a CommunityCares Partner Organization

The Heart of It

  • God takes it personally

    Matthew 25 hits home a truth that is presented throughout scripture: in early Israelite laws, in poetry, in prophetic works, in Jesus’ own life and again in the New Testament letters: Simply, GOD TAKES IT PERSONALLY what happens to the most vulnerable among us. If you want to love God, you have to demonstrate love to the most marginalized because that is God’s love language.

  • Angled Mirrors

    The theologian N.T. Wright describes humanity’s vocation as being angled mirrors. We are to reflect the praises of creation to God and reflect God’s heart into creation. When God’s people enact His will in tangible ways, we are reflecting into the world what God’s heart is like. Knowing his heart compels us (the “givers” and the “receivers” of the ministry) to follow him more closely and become more like him.

  • Who is my neighbor?

    In Luke 10, a devout Jew – feeling a bit defensive about the command to love his neighbor – “put Jesus to the test” by asking, “Who then is my neighbor?” Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan as the response and then says, “The neighbor is the one who showed mercy” [on the one who is hurting, the one who society says is not your problem, the one who will cost you your comfort and convenience, the one who is all too easy to choose to not see.] In San Juan, 25% of the Latino population is living under the poverty line. The suffering that implies is laying on the road in front of us, yet easy to not see.

  • The Center needs the Margin

    South Orange County residents are underexposed to diversity, both ethnic and economic. Many liken this area to a “bubble.” In this sense people of faith are at risk of spiritual blindness – of losing the ability to see the world through God’s eyes, of having our hearts broken with the things that break His.

    Simultaneously we are living in the digital age in which the suffering of the entire world is on our touch screens. Statistics, news, documentaries, and appeals for support engage our God-given empathy, and we are overwhelmed with grief. People of faith are at risk of compassion paralysis.

    How can we learn to see without becoming paralyzed?

    We believe there is hope that is simple, local, and results in its healing and transformation. That hope is found in the simple act of engaging with a community in need that is right in your own backyard. When you know that you have made God’s love tangible and alleviated suffering, you are no longer at risk of spiritual blindness. God uses that glimpse you received to show you even more of His vision. Neither are you at risk of compassion paralysis. God responds to your service by filling you with joy that covers the pain of compassion.

    To stay close to the heart of the Father whose heart is grieved with the suffering of his creation, the center needs the margin.