I got a treat this summer

These days, I don’t get a lot of time with our students and neighbors at Unidos. I spend my time on financials, coaching staff, managing operations, financials, mission, grants and... did i mention financials? But sometimes I get a treat.

This summer we had the honor of co-planning with Marco Forster Middle School a 2 week summer school writing workshop to support a select group of 7th and 8th graders who are just on the cusp of reclassifying from English Learner to English Proficient. We helped with transportation, provided lunches, incentives and two field trips: whale watching and the OC Fair!  

Where was my treat?  I got to help with one job: picking up and dropping off one student who couldn't find another way to get there. The joy of grabbing one of my family members to ride with me and going to pick up and drop off this student became a joy of my summer.

After the Whale Watching trip, we were so hungry we stopped at the Habit for lunch. My daughter, my self and the student went inside to order, sat with our drinks and chatted about school next year. We grabbed the food to go and jumped in the car to drop her at home.

As we pulled into her complex, she said “You are literally the nicest people I have ever met”…. Wow. Mica and I were speechless. We thanked her and thought long and hard after she was dropped off. Isn’t that the goal? Didn't Jesus say "love your neighbor"? Didn't he say, "they will know you by your love"? 

I got a treat this summer. I am grateful for the students that we get to show love to.

- John Chapman

Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director