Coming from a background of music based on the traditions of liturgical and secular music of Western Europe, I had never been exposed to the "Soulful Art Forms" that you find at Unity Performing Arts Foundation. With a background in teaching and social work, I am particularly impressed with the passion of our director to give our young people opportunities to perform, travel, and develop into young leaders regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. Unity is not just an outstanding organization where young people come to sing, it is a family.
What a challenging and exciting time to be part of Unity Performing Arts Foundation!
As Special Projects Manager, I've been charged with UNITY's Rising With Purpose Initiative. It's a sweeping effort which includes pillars for Marketing, Membership, Capital Funds, and a Community Referral Pipeline. Daunting for sure.
However, what a great time to reinvigorate our organization's unique model of merging life-building development skills and non-traditional performing arts for youth.
As I see a UNITY Alum become 2nd-runner up in the 2024 Miss America Opportunity; or Alum who now work for UNITY, or an Alum who was a Founding Member; turned employee; turned Member-Father, one word comes to mind, IMPRESSIVE!
Having personally sung in a high school show choir, I can assure you, we were not taught more than singing; it was not like an extended family; they did not track our life accomplishments, and we didn't leave with lifelong friends and mentors we could count on.
At UNITY, all these things do happen, and more. This multi-faceted approach to the "whole child" is what makes the organization and the World-Champion Voices of UNITY Youth Choir and other programming, unique, great, and growing!
I came to UNITY's table to help positively impact young lives. Now looking forward to the day when my charge changes to efforts creating a new performance center, and launching the model nationally.
- Jane Applegate
Role:VolunteerSeptember 19, 2022My name is Jacqueline Barros, and I a been a part of this organization since 2018.
My first encounter with Unity came through an Invite from my grandchildren to come hear them in concert. When I walked into the building the Energy was amazingly high, and for me addictive. And the Performance was amazing! I was sometimes so moved just to see these children, perform and Speak highly of this organization, how it gave them confidence, or how it changed their life. Did I mention that that concert I attended was in 2016? Well I want to give Thanks and Honor to God who knows your hearts desires & and he will give it to you in his time . The Opportunity given was through another Organization, that helps Senior Citizens with Employment. So I got to do what I love and get paid for doing it! Although I would have done it for free (Volunteering). But anyway here I am .
I want to say this experience for me is priceless. I've learned that Unity was a Purpose chosen and given to Mr. Marshall White, by God. His Vision for Unity is unique and purpose driven, and he does it well. So I am going to say as the students say, "I am a proud member Unity Performing Arts Foundation". And as for the students who have passed through , and the ones that are participating now in this Journey of Unity, I am certain that the "Life Lessons" and opportunities they had , has and will continue to guide them into a Promising Future.
Unity is a stand-up organization with a passion for students. I highly recommend this nonprofit arts organization. www.upaf.com
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UNITY is a WORLD CLASS NFP that is focused on Character and Leadership development. On top of the amazing work UNITY does in these areas, it also happens to house some of the best quality arts programming in the world as well. UNITY's flagship program, The Voices of Unity Youth Choir is a World Champion choir and multi-gold medal recipient from The World Choir Games.
Marshall White, the UNITY Staff, and mentors that come along side the youth are best in class and become life coaches and mentors for these individuals throughout their entire life.
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I was exposed to this life-changing organization when I was 15 years old. Since that time, I have been actively involved as a student, alumni, staff member and now board-member. I can truly say that the character and leadership development I received in this organization, shaped me to be the husband, father, business professional and ministry leader I am today! This non-profit is par to none and operates at a level of EXCELLENCE that is unmatched in our community, nation, and world!
As a board member, it is wonderfully encouraging to hear stories of excellence and maturity that come from Unity. There is amazing engagement from the youth involved in UPAF.
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Serving with Unity has been a deeper exposure to the fantastic performances of soulful music, but the magic of this organization is how they impact the lives of young people in our community. Their exposure to diverse art forms and character-building curriculum have a significant and measurable impact on the future success of those involved.
My name is Jacqueline Barros, and I a been a part of this organization since 2018.
My first encounter with Unity came through an Invite from my grandchildren to come hear them in concert. When I walked into the building the Energy was amazingly high, and for me addictive. And the Performance was amazing! I was sometimes so moved just to see these children, perform and Speak highly of this organization, how it gave them confidence, or how it changed their life. Did I mention that that concert I attended was in 2016? Well I want to give Thanks and Honor to God who knows your hearts desires & and he will give it to you in his time . The Opportunity given was through another Organization, that helps Senior Citizens with Employment. So I got to do what I love and get paid for doing it! Although I would have done it for free (Volunteering). But anyway here I am .
I want to say this experience for me is priceless. I've learned that Unity was a Purpose chosen and given to Mr. Marshall White, by God. His Vision for Unity is unique and purpose driven, and he does it well. So I am going to say as the students say, "I am a proud member Unity Performing Arts Foundation". And as for the students who have passed through , and the ones that are participating now in this Journey of Unity, I am certain that the "Life Lessons" and opportunities they had , has and will continue to guide them into a Promising Future.
UNITY PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION is a unique and powerful foundation. Unity not only influences and empowers young children to be artists but leaders with strong character .
Students that are enrolled in this one of a kind organizations go on to be high profile singers ,dancers ,actors and business leaders. This foundation has a history of being champions and are exposed to some of the most powerful speakers ,musicians, actors ,singers as well as leaders .Unity has been involved with children and young adults for twenty-two years ,bringing the community and the world the finest individuals existing today Unity is not only a great nonprofit foundation , it is a great family of strong leaders and artists .
I love this organization and what it offers to our community for our children. Unity offers discipline, training, coaching, and life lessons. I have one child
This isn't just an organization, but it's a family!
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I have been involved with UNITY since 2006. Singing mentors KK Eko & Nonso Okoli initially introduced me to the choir via an invitation to a rehearsal. Since they knew I loved to work with children, they were positive I would be a good fit within the organization. I began my journey as a choir-singing mentor and tutoring mentor for Biology and Chemistry. We take time to build relationship with the students and families that come through our organization that makes them feel a part of a family in the organization. All the hard the work is paid off when we see the youth in the organization excel with excellence at school and all the areas of their lives. It is a joy to work with the organization. Unity Performing Arts Foundation is unique environment for youth and adults with so much diversity that makes our culture in organization Unique with excellence
I have been working with Unity in some capacity since 2010. It's hard to walk away from something that you know for a fact has the ability to make significant changes in how our young people approach life on this complex planet. It's been so inspiring to watch children grow into accomplished and meaningful adults, feeling somehow that their involvement with this organization has contributed in some capacity. I am eager to see the alumni come back and take charge to carry this organization forward. After all, it's their motto: "We will reach back to give back!"
I have been volunteering with Unity Performing Arts Foundation since the start of 2021. I loved the inclusive, family feel that I felt every time I stepped into any event, rehearsal, meeting, etc. I am now a full time employee of the foundation, and I can say the same. I am honored to be a part of a movement that cares for the community and its youth so much. I feel like we are making a difference.
Working with the kids in Unity's many programs has been an absolute joy. The kids are so kind and wise, and pouring into the kids lives is the biggest blessing in my life. Being a part of UNITY means being a part of something bigger than ourselves. It means being a part of a family! UNITY provides a range of different artistic courses for the kids to be a part of. Everyone finds their place in UNITY. Unity Performing Arts Foundation is the best program to put your kids in as they are growing up because so many life lessons are offered from the staff. It's something I wish I had when I was growing up for sure!
I love this organization! I have 4 children, and all my children were in Unity!
Very good program for turning trouble youth around, and giving them hope to become something better!
My daughters when they were still in Middle & High Schools sang with the Voices of Unity Choir. They are now college graduates with successful careers who have their children now joining UPAF.
The encouragement and life lessons they adsorbed gave them their own will to do the right thing. They were both challenged to grow and accept only excellence and nothing less in all that they endeavor. To live a life of "Twenty Principles" cemented their values in having a productive and successful "pay it forward" mentality for their lives, their family, their significant others, and to teach and grow their families in a like manner.
They made friends, mentors and acquaintances for life. My girls have both pursued adventures with confidence because it was instilled for them to succeed and give back to their communities thanks to values that UPAF shared with them.
Signed,
Singing Mentor
I have never witnessed an organization like Unity Performing Arts Foundation, under the direction Marshall White, invest in our children the way this organization has done for over 20 years. From exposing them to different cultures by way of traveling to different countries, participating in world choir games, to investing in holistic training for character development with a focus on their personal talents, gives credence to this organizations importance for the individual and for our community.
The Unity Performing Arts has been a great help to mentor our son, help guide him, and make him feel important by boosting his confidence.
As a Board Member with UPAF for the past two years I am still amazed at the impact that Unity has with the young lives that it touches. What to me was a great choir is so much more. The character building skills the children are blessed with and the long term relationships the organization builds that go with them even beyond college is just one of a kind!!! I am extremely honored to be on the Board now as the Secretary and being able to volunteer and help build future leaders for our community.
UPAF is a magnificent platform to achieve your limitless potential. Dad, you’re iconic! Keep teaching, training, & transforming lives!
Our son was 7 years old when we discovered there was a gold mine in our very own backyard. That gold mine is UPAF Voices of Unity World Champion Choir! If it were not for the solid morally based foundation which aides our parenting efforts in rearing a young minority male, who stands out of the crowd with excellence, I am certain he would be lacking in several areas today. Our son is now 15 years old, and thanks to Mr. Marshall White for taking time to craft leadership, responsibility, integrity and Godly morals in our son, he is well on his way as a sophomore in high school to accomplishing his dream of becoming an engineer. These qualities are evident in our son’s life by the positive choices he makes, the opportunities he is afforded, which would otherwise have not been an option, and the healthy family and friend relationships he has. Others who realize their child may be lacking and deficient in crucial areas of life as they navigate adolescence, may benefit from discovering the gold mine here in Fort Wayne, IN that is in the form of UPAF and get their child involved.
-Perry Family
I heard about UNITY through friends and they all talk about how much they grew! You can see from how enthusiastic they get when talking about the program. Also the people working are very nice, always wanting to help.
I’ve been involved with Unity for about 7 years. Beyond a doubt my satisfaction comes from the results. 100% high school graduation, and high university attendance, all above the norm for their peer groups. But way beyond the statistics is the individual’s that have gone through the Unity experience. They show poise, leadership and are just good people to work with. Marshall White has put together a total program that includes appreciation and achievement in the arts combined with diversity, character building and leadership training. Many of these young people might have been lost, but instead have become the brightest and best. Just having been a small part of it all is very gratifying.
I had the pleasure of working for Unity for 15 years & was always excited to watch the youth grow in their leadership ability. All 3 of my children participated in the programs. The exposure it gave them to the world was life changing. It’s one thing to be taught to be a leader yet when given an opportunity to be a leader under guidance allows for real growth.
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I have been involved with Unity for 13 years in many capacities. I have watched my own children grow from the empowerment & experiences. I have watched many Unity students over the years grow & prosper from the foundation they build being a part of this organization. My daughter said it best in her “Thank You” letter to funders for the 2017 Impact Report - Unity is part of my family! I have always felt like part of the family from when I was a parent, then volunteer, then mentor, now still a staff member!
WE ARE FAMILY!!
This organization has been a game changer for several people in the local community. The opportunities as a student, volunteer, contractor, or audience member has demonstrated a unique artistic experience that leaves cherished memories. I recommend UNITY as a great artistic platform to become involved with in some capacity within your lifetime!
My son is in this choir. It has helped him so much. My son has autism and they have been great with him.
I have been a member of this beautiful organization for over 5 years! I am now an Alumna who is well rounded, experienced, and a professional sophomore at The University of Indianapolis!
My daughter has been a member since 2016. The confidence this organization and its members have empowered to so much that she is no longer afraid to speak in front of people
Unity has far exceeded my expectations. The love, care, concern, and life lessons given, make this organization much more than a choir. The staff and volunteers operate in a spirit of excellence, and I am truly grateful that my son is exposed to such greatness.
Thank you,
Victoria Nelson
I love this organization and what it offers to our community for our children.
I have 4 children, and all have been students and members of Unity choir! The discipline, training, and life coaching lessons, played a major role in my children lives for future success!
This isn't just an organization, but it's a family!
I now have my third child participating in this organization, and they have all been forever changed by their experiences. As a parent, it is great to receive the additional support in encouraging my children to be the best that they can be. UPAF reinforces those values that are most important to us as a family.
Powerful community of people who all share a common focus and goal - helping inspire and uplift our youth through impactful and strategic programming. Unity gets it! Investing in our youth pays dividends, not only in their lives and their family’s lives, but the community we are all a part of.
I brought my son to UNITY Performing Arts Foundation to get him involved in singing since he had always been musically inclined. I was blown away by the impact the organization had on his confidence, voice, and improved focus and discipline. UNITY Performing Arts Foundation is an organization that is developing world-class leaders! The staff are friendly, passionate, and dedicated to impacting young lives. I highly recommend this organization to any family that would like to expose their child to leadership, artistry, and character development through the performing arts.
It's not only about the music! There's life lessons being taught to help mold and better our future.
This organization is amazing! When I signed my son up to join the Voices of Unity Youth Choir, I did so because of its worldwide recognition and standard of excellence that the Director expects of the children involved. I thought that alone would be a great experience for my son who is musically inclined and loves to sing. What I did not expect, was the level of youth development, empowerment and confidence building that he would receive. Within a month, we could all see a transformation before our eyes. He was more confident, more mature, attention to self-care/self awareness. He was more respectful at home. It is absolutely incredible. Truly - hands down, five star organization! As a Professional in the field of Fund Development for more than 15 years, I discovered the amount of record keeping, student history, alumni tracking, and depth of service that is provided to each and every student is beyond any measure I have experienced. They truly go above and beyond and are completely intentional for having life-changing and lifelong impact in these young lives. I would recommend this organization worthy of the public's support and investment.
This is an organization who’s team members are dedicated to the kids and teens involved. It gives amazing opportunities to kids that may not have otherwise had these chances.
I have been a part of UNITY since 2014 when I completed a graphic design internship for the Voices of Unity. I joined UNITY full time a year later after graduating college and I am so grateful for all of the opportunities UNITY has given me.
UNITY provides so many amazing experiences and opportunities for growing into the best person you can be (not just for youth, but for anyone who is involved in this organization). One of my favorite memories was touring with the Voices of Unity on their 2016 European Tour to Italy, Austria, and Hungary. This was one of the first times I had heard the Voices of Unity sing live. If you have never heard the Voices of Unity Youth Choir, come to a concert to experience and witness the power of this organization. UNITY is much more than a choir!
As a student, I enjoyed the different culture and environment that I was exposed to. My favorite experience was the summer program that had the students taking different performing arts class during the day! From Music History to Piano classes, to Dance then to Drama, it kept us busy and moving. I had fun each day!
Now as an employee I get to see the same excitement in our current students’ faces. The impact can be measured by years. We have a facility that will house all these programs year round for students! I can’t wait. At the end of the day, I’m just working on giving our current students the same, if not better, experience that I had.
Unity Performing Arts has changed my life. As an alumna of the Voices of Unity Youth Choir (VOU), I can honestly say that I would not have the successes that I have today without the impact of Marshall White and my Unity Family.
When I joined the choir 6 years ago, I was 13 and thought I was doing just that, joining a choir. But VOU is so much more than a choir and Marshall White is so much more than a Choir Director.
Unity has become my home and has opened my eyes to a new outlook on life and the world in general. Not only have I been educated on various soulful art forms but also everything that high school never taught me and what I should know before going into college and the real world. I was introduced to the 20 Prescriptions to Living the Good Life, a few of my favorites being: Treat others as you would like to be treated; Show respect for all life, human and animal; Make a commitment to continue education throughout your life; Help those who are suffering or in need. And we can even list all 20 in English and Spanish. It is a requirement that we learn all of our foundational statements and prescriptions in English and Spanish, not just for flaunting purposes, but to exercise discipline and uphold our standard of excellence and nothing less.
I have been exposed to all sorts of platforms to use my gifts and establish connections to later create a network of powerful people. This early exposure allowed me to be a powerhouse in my first year at Ball State University. Taking Marshall White's advice to "Never say 'no' to an opportunity to grow", I took advantage of many new and exciting opportunities that are definitely outside of my comfort zone, but will ultimately enable me to grow.
It was with Unity when I went outside of the country for the first time. I was 15 and we went to Riga, Latvia for the World Choir Games. It was then when I discovered my passion for traveling. In the four years since then I have been out of the country twice to study French and Leadership Development.
The brains, blood and passion behind Unity is Marshall White, Choir Director/Life Coach. Mr. White's passion for what he does and his desire to empower youth is what has kept me coming back for 6 years and what will keep me here for many years to come. He has become a father figure for me, as he embodies what it means to love unconditionally. He is a consistent source of support and I know he will always be there to help me through "this thing called life."
We would like to encourage businesses, corporations, politicians, schools, churches, foundations, and professional individuals to consider investing your resources into the success of the incredible young people that come through this program.
What can I say about all the wonderful aspects of this organization? When I was a young, school age talent, I had nothing to cultivate my artistic gift minus what I was able to do at church and with my family. I encourage the talented (and even not so talented) youth of today that have an opportunity to experience a structured performing arts and youth development model, to do so! Not only are you able to experience quality artistic programming but you are able to be equipped, enlightened, empowered, educated and exposed to tools that will aid you in being an exceptional, well-rounded, adult leader. I am hoping that more of our community members get on board and decide to become an investment partner with this quality organization.... UNITY KEEP ON CHANGING THE CULTURE AND LEADING THE WAY!!!!
From the perspective of one of the Organization's newest hires, I am excited about working for this great organization. I recently taught a Junior Achievement class to a group of 7th graders. The lessons are centered around helping student start the critical thinking process for what adulthood will look like financially. The first lesson was about identifying the foundation for your career path: skills, interests and values. The goal is to use those things to structure your path.
As I taught the lesson, I realized that in my current position at Unity Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. as grant writer and copy writer, that I had achieved a trifecta. In my opinion, volunteering is a part of the human experience. UNITY is heavily supported by volunteers and many hands are needed to pull off some of the productions that are dreamed up and executed, so I get plenty of opportunities do something that I find vital in helping tomorrow's leaders.
Although I am not personally involved in the program, I am very proud to be a part of an organization that sees writing as one of the great arts through our Expression Creative Writing Program.
Finally, I LOVE music, all music. I am eclectic. Not to mention I attended a Performing Arts Junior and Senior High School. Who knows what would have happened if that initial love of music had been nurtured?
For these reasons, UNITY exemplifies the purpose of a not for profit to serve their community without expecting the payback to match the payout.
Every experience that I have had with Unity Performing Arts Foundation has always been positive. The volunteers and staff are patient, loving, and extremely hard-working leaders! Our young adults (young leaders) involved reflect the same qualities! Unity Performing Arts Foundation exists to provide a unique and excellent platform that educates and exposes youth and adults to the rich heritage and culture of the soulful art forms. UNITY offers workshops, seminars, master classes and other forms of learning.
I enjoy every moment I spend with the organization! One of my favorite events to attend was this year's Empowerment Camp 2018 at Lutherhaven Camp Site. I was a volunteer, leading our young ladies, ages 13-19. We had access to many workshops such as Entrepreneurship 101, and Self- Defense (Extremely engaging!). We were provided with not only workshops held by professionals to equip our youth with more leadership qualities, we also had time to get to know everyone! I feel more connected to our youth, and the organization. Its like being a part of a HUGE, LOVING, family! We were also provided with great food! A big thank you to our cooks. They were amazing! The staff was so engaged and involved in every moment. Very grateful to be in such great hands here. I will be attending camp every year!
I have been associated with this nonprofit organization since 2010. I originally became a volunteer because, at the time, I was the ED for a grassroots nonprofit and understood the need for good volunteers. After becoming involved as a volunteer and singing mentor, I ended up becoming a contract staff member and the rest is history. I have maintained some type of relationship with this organization throughout and will continue to until I leave the Fort Wayne area.
My involvement with this organization has given me such an appreciation for young people and their struggles today in a world where access to information is overwhelming! Children are being inundated with social and peer pressures personally and virtually. Those influences have done a considerable amount of damage to the typical child's psyche, much more than I recall growing up in the 60's and 70's.
I believe the work done in this organization is genuine and demonstrates to young people that excellence should be a requirement, not an option to achieve. Values are taught that some may consider "old-fashioned", but they have held true for centuries when it comes to proper respect and dignity given to one another.
This organization demonstrates that hard work does yield excellent results. In their first World Choir Games competition in 2010 in Shaoxing, China - they walked away with a World Grand Champion status and Gold medals for the categories they chose. They later returned in 2012 (Cincinnati, OH), 2014 (Riga, Latvia) and had extraordinary results in those World Choir Game competitions as well.
There is so much more to tell - but I would encourage you to visit their website at www.upaf.com and see for yourself. This organization is transforming lives of young people and providing opportunities that they would otherwise not have access to. It quite literally is a "Godsend".