Who We Are

Dan Gossett

Why did you originally get involved with U4O?

I became interested years ago after hearing about U4O from Joe Brandi, U4O’s founder, and seeing him serve vulnerable children. Then my wife and I had the opportunity to serve with U4O in Nicaragua and completely fell in love with the mission.

How long have you been involved with U4O?

I’ve been involved since 2016 – I helped administratively and served on the Board for several years. My wife and I are grateful to have supported Unity 4 Orphans as donors even when we were not actively involved with the organization. In January 2024, I joined the newly formed management team as Operations and Finance Director.

What motivates you to work with U4O?

I love that our mission aligns so well with James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” My work at U4O is a great opportunity to use my operational and administrative skills in a Kingdom setting. We have three young children of our own, and I want to do what I can to help other kids in the world experience God’s love.

Tell us a little more about yourself!

I’ve been happily married for eight years (Joe married us!) to my wife Amy, and I’m a dad of three sweet little kids. We live in NorCal and my wife and I run a small real estate company called Shine Real Estate.

Lindsay Reph

Why did you originally get involved with U4O?

A friend introduced me to the organization, and after an initial conversation with leadership and reviewing Unity 4 Orphans’ website, I felt inspired to get involved. I realized I have strengths that I can contribute to grow and maintain support for the kids we serve.

What motivates you to stay involved with U4O?

I’ve gone on a few short-term mission trips to Mexico, and over the years learned a lot from my dad’s missions trips to Kenya, Cameroon, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Mexico. As a family, we always sponsored a child, and I was our designated letter writer. There’s a special place in my heart for children, and I appreciate that U4O loves and cares for them like Jesus.

What do you do as a team member for U4O?

I write much of our content, such as blog posts and other communications pieces, to share the wonderful things U4O is doing and keep supporters engaged with our day-to-day program accomplishments and needs. I’m also a certified copy editor and make sure all content is communicated as clearly as possible.

Tell us a little more about yourself!

I’m finalizing a nonfiction manuscript about a life-threatening car accident my sister and I survived twenty years ago. I do freelance editing work for other writers and corporate clients, and enjoy helping them get their message across to the intended audience. I’m an avid reader, a member of a local writing workshop, and enjoy music, gardening, cooking, and the beach! San Diego weather is ideal for my chronic pain and offers many opportunities to be outside. My loyal sidekick is a fluffy cat named Frankie and I have 20 nieces and nephews who are the joy of my life!

Shannon Fox

How were you introduced to the program and how long have you been involved with U4O?

In 2015 I was working with another language program which Joe Brandi (U4O founder) visited during a trip to Nicaragua. We shared a discussion about my work and he asked some questions about my job experience. A year later, Joe asked me to start a program in Managua to teach English to kids in need. I accepted the job and have been working with the organization since, initially with a small group in Managua and currently in Miramar.

What motivates you to work with U4O or what do you appreciate about the organization?

First of all, the call I have for teaching English is my greatest motivation. Second, to have the opportunity to teach kids in need is something that I cannot describe in simple words; it’s so moving how I feel when I am in front of the kids. Third, this organization provides and encourages such a positive environment. Joe is a great leader who is always there to support the program goals and celebrate our accomplishments.

What do you do as a team member, and what is your favorite thing about the job?

I am the coordinator of the ESL Program in Miramar, Nicaragua. I oversee the staff teachers and child psychologist, as well as manage the program administration. I love that I am in a role where I can help people in need in different ways, not only with learning the English language, but also with mental health support and humanitarian aid. The program has become a part of the community and they are like a family to us.

Tell us a little more about yourself, your family and personal interests.

I love spending time with my family and friends, and learning something new every day. I like listening to music and am a disciplined and organized person who fights to reach my goals. I love traveling around Nicaragua and abroad.

Amy Beam

Why did you originally get involved/how long have you been involved with U4O?

My friend Shannon also works with U4O and introduced me to the organization in April of 2020.

What motivates you to work with U4O or what do you appreciate about the organization?

I am passionate about their mission to help children and to lift children out of poverty and create equity throughout the world. As much as I am in line with the purpose of U4O, I keep working with them specifically because I also, trust and respect the staff at U4O. This is an organization filled with fantastic people working together as a team with the goal to love others in general and very specifically, disadvantaged kids.

What do you do as a team member, and what is your favorite thing about the job?

Web Development. I maintain their website and integrations with third-party services. I hope to provide insight and problem-solving to technical issues.

Tell us a little more about yourself, your family, and your personal interests!

I am married to a really great partner, Michael, who makes me laugh. I have really cool son who is creative and insightful. My career has been in web development creating and maintaining websites for small businesses as well as supporting larger firms when they need extra help. I have a degree in graphic arts with an emphasis in business. I also teach yoga a few times a week, which is a source of joy and connection.

The older I get the more I find that these check box items that I have traditionally used to describe myself are not who I am but almost unimportant parts of me. They are but a glimpse of who I am.

The inner part of me always wants to have fun and seeks out laughter and joy. That being said, I can sit with the hard stuff and intense feelings to explore what makes humanity tick. I see it as a two-sided coin. One cannot really experience joy without also allowing in other emotions. I care deeply about God and humanity. I try and embody the quote by St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” I realize that I am only a part of this great earth and yet I am a piece of it! Sometimes I get to see pieces of the big picture and I take delight in that! I love working in unity with others in collaboration and try desperately to leave my ego and agenda out of the equation.