IMPACT
JANUARY 2014
RACING TO SUCCESS
Unbound president/ CEO named
Disability doesn’t keep Guatemalan youth from soaring
J
A
familiar face took the reins in December as president and
chief executive officer of Unbound, formerly CFCA. Scott Wasserman
uan is not your typical 16-year-old Guatemalan
was a member of the governing
teen. An athlete since age 6, Juan has competed
board for 15 years, serving the last
on national and international levels and even rep-
14 years as board chair.
resented his country in China. He’s earned bronze,
Scott steps into the position of
silver and gold medals in his decade as a runner.
president/CEO after the unexpect-
He also has Down syndrome.
ed passing of beloved President
Juan is the youngest of five children and was
and Co-founder Bob Hentzen,
diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth. (continued)
Juan finds joy competing in the Special Olympics.
who died Oct. 8 in Guatemala.d (continued)
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Unbound helps Juan overcome disability “He started training
medals and my mom and dad.”
and was having fun,”
Juan has come far. What he has accom-
Concepcion said. “He
plished has the potential to change how
liked the exercise, and
people with special needs are viewed.
his teacher said he was very good.”
“People tend to discriminate [against] people
with
disabilities,”
Concepcion
said. “We have to overcome these types READY, SET, GO! By
age
9,
of attitudes.” Juan
By joining the sponsorship program at a
enrolled in a national
young age, Juan and his parents had access
Special Olympics meet.
to specialty care and education critical to
He
with
his development. His parents received the
athletes from all over
tools and support they need to stand with
Guatemala in running
him in the face of adversity.
competed
and won a gold medal that was his ticket to the 2007 World Special
Juan shows off his medals with his proud parents, Jose and Concepcion.
Olympics in China.
Juan was thrilled. His mother said he
(continued from front) With a large family, medical bills and an
trained for two hours every morning for
unstable income, Juan’s parents found it
a year before the competition. His dream
difficult to make ends meet.
was to bring home a medal.
For Juan, Unbound came at the right
And he did. Juan won a gold medal in
time. He joined the program when he was
the 50-meter dash and a silver medal in
only 3 years old.
the 25-meter dash.
AFRICA
ASIA
373 sponsored
624 sponsored
13 waiting
But he didn’t stop there.
“He needs special care and education
Unbound supports children and adults with special needs
36 waiting
Juan continued running in other local
and all of that costs money,” said Concepcion, Juan’s mother. “Thanks to Unbound
and
and the monthly benefits we receive,
competed in the 2008 Central American
we’ve been able to save and pay for some
and Caribbean meet, winning silver and
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
of Juan’s special care.”
bronze medals. He’s won 27 medals in all
6,371 sponsored
When he was 6, Juan’s teacher spoke to
competitions. He
even
419 waiting
for running. “I was proud to represent Guatemala in
his parents about sports as a good way to develop psychomotor skills.
national
the Olympics,” he said. “I am proud of my
New president/CEO experienced in child advocacy (continued from front)
board advises the bishops on policies to prevent
“For me, this is a personal calling to continue the walk started by Bob and his co-founders,”
the sexual abuse of minors in the United States by persons in the service of the Church. Scott and his family have sponsored children
Scott said. “What gives me courage is the faith and perseverance of the families living in poverty
through Unbound for 25 years. Anne Ryder, newly elected board chair and a
and the families who sponsor them.” With Bob’s passing, the governing board chose
board member since 2008, said Scott’s qualifica-
to consolidate the president and CEO positions.
tions and commitment make him an excellent
Former CEO Paco Wertin remains with the orga-
choice to lead Unbound into the future. “Scott is thoroughly familiar with Unbound
nization in a new role.
Scott Wasserman
Scott holds a law degree from Harvard Univer-
and its work of bringing hope to families in devel-
sity and has practiced law for 28 years. His focus
oping countries. …” Anne said. “We are fortunate
for the last 20 years has been child advocacy law.
to have been able to select a president/CEO who
He is vice chair of the United States Conference
knows the organization well and has a deep com-
of Catholic Bishops National Review Board. The
1 ELMWOOD AVENUE, KANSAS CITY, KS 66103
800.875.6564
mitment to our mission.”
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