UnChained: Empowering Youth and Homeless Dogs for a Brighter Future

By Marlo Botello-Aepli, Executive Director of UnChained

As the Executive Director of UnChained, I am proud to share the impactful work we do in California's Central Coast region. Although we may seem far away from this Central Texas-based magazine, I was born in Lubbock and raised in Austin, so I feel a special connection to Rescue Mag and their mission.

UnChained is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings together youth and homeless dogs, providing a unique opportunity for personal growth, empathy, and skill development. Our mission is to empower youth while training and finding permanent homes for homeless dogs, fostering self-reflection, compassion, and valuable life skills among our participants.

I first got involved with Unchained when I adopted our dog Roland, who graduated from the program. I fell in love with the mission and started volunteering with them. This quickly moved to sitting on the board to become more involved. Seeing the kids and dogs grow in skills and transform over the eight weeks is heartwarming and impactfull to our communities.

UnChained operates in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties in Northern California, teaching youth how to train homeless dogs in basic skills, manners, and socialization. Since our founding in 2011, we have worked with youth at the Rancho Cielo Youth Campus in Salinas, where we found adopters for our first three homeless dogs with the help of six remarkable youth. Today, our programs have expanded to serve communities from Monterey to San Jose, California.

Training homeless dogs who have experienced neglect, abandonment, or abuse serves as a powerful catalyst for youth development. By working with these dogs, our youth trainers cultivate empathy, compassion, and an improved sense of self-worth. The shared experiences of the youth and dogs create a deep connection that positively impacts their well-being and personal growth. Our youth trainers often express pride in their accomplishments and report an increase in patience and resilience.

UnChained's programs create a ripple effect within our communities. When youth actively participate in resolving community problems, such as training homeless dogs and navigating the challenges that arise, they develop a sense of purpose and belonging. By becoming part of the solution, they gain confidence and experience success, transforming into more engaged and contributing members of their communities.

Many of our graduates become volunteers within their own communities and schools, applying the skills and values they acquired through UnChained. Some even return to our organization as volunteers, supporting current students and sharing their experiences as mentors. This cycle of support and mentorship demonstrates the lasting impact UnChained has on the lives of our youth.

You can be a part of the solution by getting involved with UnChained today. Your contribution will directly support our efforts to empower youth and find loving homes for homeless dogs. Together, we can continue fostering empathy, compassion, and personal growth, creating a brighter future for both our youth and the dogs they help.

Follow us on social (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) or visit our website to sign up as a volunteer or make a donation today. Let's unleash the potential of our youth. Visit: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=unchained