Who We Are
Unity Housing uses creative, innovative, and evidence-based solutions to systematically end homelessness by leveraging partnerships, engaging in advocacy, and driving social change.
Unity Housing is a non-profit organization founded in January 2023 by a team of motivated service provider professionals who identified a gap in services within Johnson City, TN. Our team consists of highly skilled individuals with years of experience in research and field work related to homeless populations.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: we strive to provide safe, affordable housing for those who need it most. We plan to systematically end homelessness in East Tennessee through innovative, evidence-based approaches.
Through our planned Medical Respite Facility, we aim to provide safe, supportive environments for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering essential services such as housing, medical care coordination, and nutrition. Our goal is to ensure every individual receives the necessary care and support to transition safely to independent living, thereby reducing overall homelessness and promoting health equity.
Our Vision
Our vision is a community where homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring.
We envision a future where every individual has access to safe, stable housing and comprehensive healthcare, enabling them to thrive and achieve their full potential. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, we aim to create a society where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and respect.
Our Values
We are guided by compassion, innovation, collaboration, respect, integrity, and equity.
We approach each individual with empathy, kindness, and understanding, recognizing the unique challenges they face. We believe in the power of partnership and work closely with community organizations, service providers, and stakeholders to maximize our impact. We strive to reduce disparities and ensure everyone has equal access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
Collaboration
We believe in the power of partnership and work closely with community organizations, service providers, and stakeholders to maximize our impact.
Compassion
We approach each individual with empathy, kindness, and understanding, recognizing the unique challenges they face.
Innovation
We continuously seek creative and effective solutions to address homelessness, utilizing research-driven initiatives and best practices.
Integrity
We conduct our work with honesty, transparency, and accountability, building trust with our community and partners.
Equity
We strive to reduce disparities and ensure everyone has equal access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
Respect
We honor the dignity of every person we serve, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met.
Board Members
Candida Hall
President | UX Researcher & Designer
Designer on a mission to make good things through collaboration with others. I've been in UX since 2013 and during that time I've worked with clients across several different industries from EdTech to Healthcare. No matter the project, two things always hold true: design is better through collaboration and user research is the difference between fine and great. For this reason, research is an integral part of my design process.
Lead Pastor at Glencliff United Methodist Church
Ingrid McIntyre
Ingrid has done boots on the ground justice work for the last twenty-five years. Beginning her career working for Habitat for Humanity through AmeriCorps, Ingrid’s career has been rooted in dignified care for all.
Earning her Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies at the University of Evansville, she learned the transformational and uplifting power of words. She has since honed that skill as a public speaker, preacher, grassroots organizer, and heartfelt advocate. Following her graduation from the University of Evansville, Ingrid attended the Wesley Theological Seminary.
The daughter of a United Methodist pastor, Ingrid grew up in the church. Through her lifelong commitment to the church, she has seen firsthand the transformative power of Beloved Community and has made it her mission to intentionally and proactively expand God’s love to all.
As a native Nashvillian, Ingrid is deeply rooted in the Nashville community. Following the May 2010 flood, Ingrid left her position at GBHEM to advocate for the marginalized Nashvillians affected most by the disaster.
In June 2011, Ingrid co-founded Open Table Nashville as an interfaith homeless outreach nonprofit, which disrupts cycles of poverty, journeys with the marginalized, and advocates through education. Ingrid served as Executive Director for just under a decade, organizing and supporting hundreds of friends living on the streets in tackling cycles of poverty and transitioning into permanent housing solutions.
Throughout her decade of radical justice work with Open Table Nashville, Ingrid developed deep relationships with persons experiencing homelessness across the city, advocating with them for their rights, obtaining supportive services and resources for sustained care, and officiating weddings and their funerals. Practicing ministry in relationships which celebrate and affirm those most impacted as innately whole, beloved human beings, and which center them as the experts of the ministry, called her further into addressing the gaping holes in the continuum of care.
In her next step in a lifelong commitment to advocating for permanent housing for those deprived of it by gentrification and greed rather than genuine community restoration, Ingrid visioned and led years of community and congregational collaborations and partnerships to bring to life The Village at Glencliff. The Village provides a dignified, loving, and hospitable medical respite and bridge housing for the most vulnerable friends experiencing homelessness in Nashville. The hope is to meet each individual’s most basic needs so that they are empowered to focus on healing and permanent supportive housing.
Ingrid presently serves as a Pastor in the The Tennessee Western Kentucky United Methodist Conference. She is on staff at both Belmont United Methodist Church and the Lead Pastor at Glencliff United Methodist Church, leading communities in living the Gospel in “Risky Discipleship,” or a faith of courage and action.
Dr. Joey Tucciarone, PsyD
Psychologist
Joey has lived in Johnson City since 2009. After earning a master’s degree in Public Health, he worked with Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness (ARCH), where he occupied several roles. His experiences there inspired him to return to ETSU, where he completed his doctorate in psychology in 2021. Now a staff psychologist at Mountain Home VA, Joey is honored to serve as a member of Unity Housing’s board, and he looks forward to continuing to serve his community however he can in the years to come. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, making art, and playing gnarly surf rock with his band The Meanwhilers.
Executive Secretary | Assistant Professor of Sociology
Dr. Katherine Everhart, PhD
Dr. Katherine Everhart is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. She earned her PhD and MA in Sociology from Vanderbilt University, her MA in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and her BA in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Prior to joining the faculty at UVA-Wise, Katherine was an Associate Professor of Sociology at Tusculum University. She teaches courses on contemporary social problems, social inequality, social movements, and sociology of place. Her current book project examines the history of Germantown and North Nashville, with a focus on urban inequality, redevelopment, neighborhood change, and the role of city and state government in shaping the landscape.
Dr. Everhart serves on the Board of Directors for both Unity Housing and Bristol Ballet and is Executive Secretary for both organizations.
Samantha Chapman
Realtor
As a Realtor with over five and a half years of experience, my mission is simple: I’m here to serve, not sell. My background, from cutting hair to owning and operating a food truck and restaurant, has always centered around customer service, connection, and trust. Real estate is where those experiences come together, allowing me to guide clients through one of life’s biggest decisions with empathy, honesty, and clear communication. Born and raised in the area, I’m proud to call Johnson City home. My passion for real estate is also personal. I’ve owned homes, bought and sold properties, flipped houses, and even built a custom home, giving me a firsthand understanding of the excitement, stress, and emotions that come with every step of the process.
Beyond working with buyers and sellers, I serve on the board of Unity Housing, a nonprofit focused on expanding housing accessibility. Through our Medical Respite Facility initiative, we work to provide safe, supportive environments for individuals experiencing homelessness. Housing is more than real estate; it’s stability, dignity, and opportunity, and I’m honored to support that mission.
When I’m not helping clients, you’ll likely find me hiking, playing pickleball, doing Pilates, running, trying a new restaurant, or relaxing with a Netflix show. I’m a proud dog mom to Sophie Girlz, my favorite co-pilot for car rides, treat stops, and extra cuddles.
Working with me means partnering with someone who values relationships over transactions. Your goals become my goals, and I’m committed to making the process feel smooth, supported, and meaningful from start to finish.
Dan Bragg
CEO of ETSU Health
Raised in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee, Dan developed a deep appreciation for nature, community, and hard work early in life. A graduate of East Tennessee State University with a degree in business, he has more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience and a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others. He currently serves as CEO of ETSU Health, where he leads a large healthcare organization focused on improving the health of the communities it serves.
Known for his steady leadership and financial acumen, Dan brings both strategic vision and operational insight to every organization he serves. Beyond the office, he is passionate about growing his relationship with God, serving others, and cherishing time with his wonderful wife, Young Shil, and their two grown children. Whether hiking East Tennessee trails, playing a round of disc golf, or simply enjoying the peace of nature, he strives to live with purpose, integrity, and gratitude.
Employees
Dr. Opal Frye-Clark, DrPH
Executive Director
Dr. Opal Frye-Clark is a public health professional, former nurse, educator, and community advocate dedicated to improving the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. Having grown up in rural Kansas, Opal's commitment to addressing poverty, housing instability, and healthcare access is rooted not only in professional experience but also in a personal understanding of the challenges many rural communities face.
With more than 20 years of experience spanning healthcare, higher education, and nonprofit leadership, Opal is passionate about building partnerships that address the root causes of homelessness through housing, healthcare, and community collaboration. As the founder and Executive Director of Unity Housing, Opal works alongside healthcare providers, government agencies, nonprofits, and community members to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that help people move from crisis to stability.
Opal earned a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Health Systems Management and Policy from East Tennessee State University, where their research focused on homelessness, health disparities, and systems of care in rural Central Appalachia. Whether conducting research, teaching, or working directly in the community, Opal is guided by the belief that housing is healthcare and that lasting change is achieved through collaboration, compassion, and evidence-informed solutions.
Lisa Kodak
Bookkeeper
Lisa is a local business owner, bookkeeper, and community advocate who believes everyone deserves a safe place to call home. She serves as Bookkeeper for Unity Housing, helping manage the organization's finances while supporting its mission to provide hope, housing, and stability to those experiencing homelessness.
Social Media & Communications Coordinator
Maddy Spires
As a native Appalachian, Maddy’s work in the local nonprofit sector is rooted in a deep conviction to advocate for and amplify the voices of our neighbors across the region. Through thoughtful and intentional communication, she strives to ensure that the experiences, challenges, and successes of our community members are represented with care. She is guided by the belief that we all have a duty to create a community where every person has the opportunity to thrive and feel a sense of belonging. Maddy is expanding her community-centered work by earning a Master of Arts in Teaching at ETSU with plans to become an art teacher. In her free time, she enjoys painting, sewing, cooking, and gardening.
Adam Miller
Case Manager
Adam Miller is a Case Manager with Unity Housing, where he works to help individuals and families access housing resources and supportive services that promote long-term stability. He is committed to treating every client with dignity, compassion, and respect while helping them navigate barriers to safe and stable housing. Adam earned his Bachelor of Social Work and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work. His approach emphasizes building trusting relationships, identifying client strengths, and connecting people with the resources they need to improve their quality of life. Adam is passionate about serving individuals experiencing housing instability and believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve greater stability, independence, and hope for the future.
Community Advisors
Social Worker with ETSU Support Clinic
Veronica Vann-Ray, LMSW
Veronica Vann-Ray, LMSW, is a Licensed Master's Social Worker with the ETSU Support Clinic, where she is dedicated to improving health outcomes for individuals experiencing substance use disorders, homelessness, and other complex social and medical challenges. She believes that addressing social determinants of health, including stable housing, transportation, and access to essential resources which is foundational to successful treatment and long-term recovery. Veronica serves as the project lead for F.I.G. (Filling in the Gaps), a $407,567 community recovery support initiative funded by the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, which expands resource navigation and recovery support services across an eight-county rural region of Northeast Tennessee. Through collaboration with Unity Housing and numerous community partners, she works to build innovative, evidence-based systems of care that remove barriers to treatment and improve the health and well-being of some of the region's most vulnerable residents.
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