THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 45, NO. 17 | DECEMBER 8, 2023
ONE IN A MILLION
‘The Chosen’ star sponsors Unbound’s millionth friend By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
K
ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Millions know him as the actor who plays Jesus in the TV series “The Chosen.” But to a 12-year-old boy in Tanzania and a 5-year-old girl in Rwanda, he’s a friend who’s helping them achieve a brighter future. “I think any time you have an opportunity to step into somebody’s shoes and literally experience their life firsthand,” said Jonathan Roumie, “you become more empathetic to their struggles and their trials.” A desire to make a difference for families living in poverty led Roumie to become an Unbound sponsor four years ago. He recently became the sponsor of an additional child and the nonprofit’s one millionth sponsored friend. “We were excited to learn that Jonathan came to us on his own, led by his personal connection to faith and desiring to support an organization that aligned with his values,” said Ashley Hufft, interim president/CEO of Unbound. As for Unbound reaching the milestone of one million sponsored friends? “It’s a big achievement,” said Hufft, “and it’s only the beginning.”
Opening doors Roumie visited Unbound’s headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas, on Nov. 14, where he met with team members and learned more about the organization’s history and mission. Originally founded as Christian Foundation for Children and Aging in 1981 by three Catholic brothers — Bob, Bud and Jim Hentzen — and their friends, the foundation was deeply rooted in Catholic teaching. “It really fills out the impression I had that they were an organization of people that were deeply committed to improving the human condition in other parts of the world,” said Roumie. “It has made me more proud to be a pre-existing member of the organization,” he added, “even before anybody knew my name.” Four years ago, Roumie was working steadily and wanted to help others. “I started looking for different charities that reflected my values and my faith and the things that I wanted to do,” he said. A CharityWatch search drew him to Unbound. “I looked into them, and I thought, ‘This looks like a pretty awesome way to help give back,’” said Roumie. At Unbound, sponsors choose a child or aging person from one of 17 >> See “ACTOR’S” on page 4
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Actor Jonathan Roumie, star of the TV series “The Chosen,” visited Unbound’s headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas, on Nov. 14, where he met with team members and learned more about the organization’s history and mission. Roumie has been involved with Unbound for four years.