One day a tiny sapling popped up in our backyard.

It was beautiful with bright green leaves. To our surprise within two years it was 12 feet tall with a ten inch diameter trunk! We loved how the leaves filtered the afternoon light and the branches swayed in the breeze… Until our neighbor knocked on the door and said its roots were damaging her hardscape. “That species of tree is invasive,” she said. “It does a lot of damage.” When we went to remove it, we discovered the roots had invaded our landscape drains, knocked the shed off its foundation and no matter how much we dug away at it, these harmful roots refused to die. 

At Unidos we understand that sometimes even externally beautiful things can be harmful under the surface. That’s why we are committed to our five values of Dignity, Community, Diversity, Equity and Justice. We want healthy roots - not quick-growing roots that end up doing more harm than good. 

In contrast to that little sapling, in downtown San Juan Capistrano there is a 400 year old Coastal Oak tree. Its trunk is multiple arms lengths around. In the Spring, the cliff swallows come to rest in its shade. The key to its beauty and longevity are its healthy roots. Their roots expand well beyond the mirror image of the tree’s canopy; the root system actually extends up to three times the size of the tree visible to the eye. This expansive reach is what provides the tree’s long-term stability. In fact, oak trees can live a thousand years!​

This year end, we invite you to nourish Unidos South OC's healthy roots by contributing toward our year-end goal. This will enable us to continue the long and steady value-rooted work of strengthening the neighborhood. Continue below to read five stories about how we are rooted in our values.

With Hope for a Better World,

John and Heather Chapman

Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors