The Unk's Place name allows our youth to know we are family. All staff are Aunts and Uncles where our youth can feel loved and at home.
We Support The WellbeingOf Our Kids
Our TEAM is here to support the wellbeing of our residents as we strive to build up each individual's commitment to self and society while we look to give direction and praise in every moment of our residents' lives with the intentions of celebrating every attempt at being their best.
OUR MISSION
Dedicated to aiding in the mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing of youth ages 12 to 21 by creating a safe, educational and nurturing environment.
OUR VISION
Provide safety, permanency, mental stability and education for all youth placed in the care of Unk's Place by providing mental health counseling and offering a comprehensive, liberating training curriculum that will include teaching responsible roles, money management, job search techniques, educational activities, college and career planning, and supervised independent living.
BREAKING THE MOLD (TOGETHER)...
We Need Your
Financial Support
Your financial support allows us to facilitate real change through our refined process that includes:
- Better facilities with a supportive home environment
- Meeting the youth where they are (acceptance and love)
- Psychological and spiritual care
- Focus on education and the life skills training that includes: hygiene, community service, scholastic, personal goals, crisis management, financial management, health and fitness, graduate high school and beyond, and life after Unk's Place.
We Experience
Permanency & Forever Moments
Mending broken hearts and building emotional bridges is what we do best. Our goal is to be the best examples of hope and fulfillment. Forever moments start with the belief of belonging and are reinforced via:
- Personal Milestones and Success
- Community Success
- Educational Success
Board of Directors
Pastor Samuel N. Winston, Jr.
Pastor Samuel N. Winston, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of the 1,000-member Mount Calvary Church in Dayton, Ohio. Pastor Winston has a double Bachelor's Degree; has served on several BOD, including the Miami Valley School; serves his state denominational work as a vice-moderator of the Western Union Baptist Association and as a vice-president of the Ohio Baptist Congress of Christian Education; and has been recognized by Montgomery County Art Works as an OPUS award nominee. As a visionary who is both inspiring and influential, his servant leadership is evident via transforming lives and enhancing the community through the work of the many ministries offered; including over $50,000 in scholarships given; Mount Calvary's Community Festival which feeds thousands each year; domestic and global missions trips; purchase and renovation of a $1.2 million worship facility; development of a youth community center; and being one of the most watched shows on DATV.
Colleen Rasnack
Colleen Rasnack, BOD Vice Chairperson, has worked in the mortgage and loan servicing industry for over fifteen years, providing excellence in customer service, project management and training and development. In addition to an Accounting degree from Sinclair Community College, she is currently enrolled in the Teacher Certification Program at the University of Dayton. Her heart of gold and service minded enthusiasm are demonstrated via a history of exuberant volunteerism, predominantly with youth organizations. Her industrious mentality and unbridled passion drive her to empower Unk's Place with best practices that afford foster youth a secure and nurturing environment where they can feel safe and loved. Currently a resident of Lebanon, Ohio, Colleen grew up in Clark County and has lived in both the Dayton and Columbus, Ohio areas.
Robert Jones
Robert Jones, Secretary of the BOD, is a dynamic, educated professional who prides himself on excellence. His pedigree includes a Master's in Organizational Leadership, Bachelor's in Management, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Health and Human Service Certificate, a resume affording him experience with various economic, social and ethnic backgrounds, along with a perfectionist mentality and a keen sense of organization. He is committed to the vision of Unk's Place and its goal to make positive changes in our most important asset in the world today, our children. He optimistically envisions positive change for the youth that will forever alter their lives for the better; thus making stereotypes into stars, headlines into heroes and tragedies into triumphs.
John Garrett
John Garrett, Trustee of the BOD, currently holds the prestigious position of Director of Clinical Engineering at Baylor Saint Luke's Medical Center in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, TX. He holds a Master's in Psychology with a focus on PTSD development in foster children from Capella University and a Bachelor's in Health and Human Services Management from Wilberforce University. His accomplished background and education combined with being a combat Veteran (Gulf War) from the U.S. Navy and twenty-four years' experience in the medical field, affords him the ability to render excellence in the direction of the Board and the facilitation of our Mission. His education aligns with his heart as he is dedicated to the betterment of the foster population.
LeTonda Thompson
LeTonda Thompson, Trustee of the BOD, is a Human resources executive with comprehensive human resources experience including recruitment and retention, conflict resolution, change management, labor relations and benefits administration. Proven experience collaborating with Executive Management to conduct Human Resources strategic planning in order to support and further organizational goals. Possess broad knowledge of human resources in a variety of sectors including union and non-union, government, non-profit, all with exempt and non-exempt employees. Demonstrated experience initiating cost containment strategies resulting in significant savings. Excellent ability to address and implement strategic plans for talent acquisition, retention, and succession planning. Proven skills in labor and employment law including complaint investigation to thwart of legal action.
John Jones
John Jones, Trustee of the BOD, is a cook at the Marriott of the University of Dayton with 22 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. His dedication and keen sense of organization is the foundation of what he represents. As a member of the Associate Advisory Council he established a mentoring program to help fellow associates with self-improvement. He served 5 years in the U S Army and was honorably discharged. He is committed to the vision of Unk's Place and its goal to make positive changes in our most important asset in the world today; our children.Join the Board of Directors
Would you like to help Unk's Place with your skills? Download the application below to apply for a position on our Board of Directors.
Administrative Employees
Cornelius Hagans
I have always had a heart for God and children. Born in the hills of Hazard, Kentucky to Rev. Winfred and Mary Hagans on July 28 1977, and raised in the birth place of Frank Sinatra in Hoboken, New Jersey. I moved to Ohio after graduating Hoboken High School where I eventually graduated from one of America's greatest HBCU - Wilberforce University cum lade. I felt the call of God to the foster care population in my mid-twenties and accepted my call at thirty-five years of age. Since then I have fostered nearly 20 youths in my home and adopted a son, Carson Hagans.
I currently work as the Elder of Outreach for the Mount Calvary Church in Dayton, Ohio. My extensive experience with children and the foster community led me to realize the need was much greater than what I could do by myself from my home in Centerville, Ohio, thus giving birth to the idea of Unk's Place. This unique brand will offer better facilities, emphasis on education and character development, caring and talented staff who share the vision of family and true rehabilitation and community involvement. The vision transcends a single home and constitutes a long-term plan that includes reform to the group home community and developing a proven standard. Together we can make a difference!
Christopher N. McClure
I have always had a desire to impact the youth of this generation. I started volunteering with my local church and quickly became the Youth Director for the Mt. Calvary Church here in Dayton, Ohio. We have seen growth numerically and emotionally like never before. I started working with Unk’s Place in February 2019 and was quickly promoted to Family Lead. I like to believe that I see past the smile on the face and into the heart of the being. I hope that I can be of a service to you and this population, which is why I will be attending Faith International University beginning Fall 2019 to earn my BA. 
Mandy J. Wright
In August 2019, I came to Unk’s Place from a post as Communication Program Coordinator in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech. My previous teaching experience spans Dayton Early College Academy, Troy High School, and the Intensive English Programs at Wright State and University of Dayton. I also completed my MSEd and an MA in English from UD in 2010, and taught First Year Composition and Business Communication in the UD Department of English until 2012. I returned to Dayton and joined the staff at Unk’s Place because I believe in creating engaging education programming by getting to know the community and its wants, needs, and passions. I also believe in mentoring both teachers and students with trust, respect, and advocacy for their diverse skills, knowledge, and ideas. At Unk’s place, I have the opportunity to tap my convictions, knowledge, and experience to help provide an innovative hands-on education for youth in foster care. My goal is to help our youth become better educated and better educators for life.
Shannon Hurst, MSW, LISW-S
I began my journey and passion in 1993 when I chose to study psychology, counseling psychology and educational psychology at Ball State University. I worked as an intern at Youth Opportunity Center in Muncie, IN where I had my first experience with children and families. This would set the tone for my career to come. I graduated from Ball State University in 1996 and then proceeded to further my education at Rutgers University in 1998. I graduated with my Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University in May of 2000. I accepted employment with Care Plus NJ, Inc. upon graduation, where I worked as a Families First Therapist. My role was to help family systems remain intact or to reunify children back into their family of origin. This experience along with my initial contact with children and families at Youth Opportunity Center set in motion my passion, drive, and continuing commitment to children and their families. 
