Today we’d like to introduce you to Lachelle Goodrich.
Hi Lachelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey began from a place of both purpose and pain. Growing up in Fort Worth, I saw firsthand how trauma, poverty, and systemic barriers deeply affect families — especially in Black and brown communities. Becoming a mother at a young age shifted everything for me; it gave me a reason to heal, grow, and eventually help others do the same.
After earning my counseling license, I founded iLegacy Consulting & Counseling, PLLC, driven by the belief that legacy is something we build daily through service and compassion. Over time, my counseling work revealed a larger need — not just for therapy, but for community healing, access, and visibility around mental health. That realization led to the creation of CHAMP (Community Healing and Mental Health Project, Inc.), a nonprofit born in response to the tragic loss of Atatiana Jefferson.
Since then, CHAMP has grown from a vision into a movement. We’ve hosted Unity Healing Camps for middle school students, launched Texas’s first Mobile Mental Wellness Unit, and provided free counseling and emotional wellness programs for families across Fort Worth. Every milestone — from counseling sessions in underserved neighborhoods to building partnerships with schools and health systems — has been a step toward bridging the gap between mental health and community wellness.
Today, I stand here not just as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and nonprofit founder, but as a servant leader who believes that healing is possible when we meet people where they are. My story is still being written, but every chapter has the same theme: faith, purpose, and community transformation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not — and honestly, I wouldn’t change it. The road has been full of lessons that shaped both my faith and my leadership. Building something from the ground up, especially in the mental health field, comes with challenges — from navigating limited funding and community stigma to learning how to balance compassion with structure.
There were moments when I questioned if I was doing enough or if people truly understood the “why” behind my work. I’ve had to advocate for my legitimacy as a business owner, defend the use of contractors, and push through barriers that often make it harder for Black women to lead and be heard. At times, I’ve carried the weight of others’ pain while still managing my own healing.
But every obstacle became a lesson in resilience. Those hard days reminded me that my purpose is bigger than the problem. They pushed me to trust God, to lean into community, and to keep showing up — even when it was uncomfortable. Because the truth is, healing work isn’t easy. But it’s sacred, and it’s worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CHAMP (Community Healing And Mental Health Project)?
CHAMP (Community Healing and Mental Health Project, Inc.) was created out of a need to make mental health accessible, visible, and culturally relevant in communities that are often overlooked. What started as a vision to heal has grown into a movement for hope and empowerment across Fort Worth and surrounding areas.
We specialize in providing free and low-cost mental health counseling, trauma-informed education, and community-based wellness programs for youth, families, and neighborhoods most impacted by trauma, poverty, and systemic inequities. Through our licensed professionals and graduate-level interns, CHAMP has provided hundreds of counseling sessions at no cost to families who would otherwise go without mental health care.
One of our most impactful initiatives is the CHAMP Mobile Mental Wellness Unit—the first of its kind in Texas—designed to bring therapy, assessments, and emotional wellness resources directly into the community. By removing barriers such as transportation, cost, and stigma, we’re able to meet people where they are and create safe, familiar spaces for healing.
What sets CHAMP apart is our holistic and culturally responsive approach. We don’t just treat symptoms—we focus on prevention, empowerment, and building trust within the community. Our programs are grounded in compassion, accessibility, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that CHAMP has become known for innovation, impact, and heart. Every counseling session, every mobile visit, and every partnership reflects our mission to restore hope and build stronger, more resilient communities. CHAMP is more than an organization—it’s a movement for healing and change.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I want readers to know that healing is possible — and it starts with community. Every time we show up for one another, every conversation we have about mental wellness, and every resource we share helps break generational cycles of pain and builds a stronger foundation for the next generation.
If our story speaks to you, we invite you to join us in this work. Whether it’s through volunteering, sharing our mission, or making a donation, your support helps us continue offering free counseling services and expanding the reach of our Mobile Mental Wellness Unit across Fort Worth.
You can learn more or contribute by visiting our website at www.champtexas.org
Together, we can keep building brighter, healthier futures — one heart, one family, and one community at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.champtexas.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/champ_texas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHAMPTexas
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lachelle-goodrich-ma-lpc-s-62976a82/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CHAMPTX19
