BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Steve Young brings problem-solving skills to support families

New board member Steve Young appreciates FamilyForward’s approach to supporting families by teaching them to “fish for themselves” through mentoring while providing rental assistance and other services.

We are excited to welcome Steve Young to the FamilyForward Board of Directors. Steve might best be described as a highly driven, analytical thinker with a rational approach to problem solving, albeit with a giving heart. Over the last decade, Steve has participated in countless volunteer opportunities in Chicago for organizations that dedicate resources to support families in need, including Habitat for Humanity, the Greater Chicago Food Depository and many others.

Finding the right fit to support families

Moving from Chicago to the suburbs in 2020 with his growing family, Steve soon began to feel the need to dedicate more of his time to a philanthropic cause closer to his new home and to serve in his new local community. However, the challenges of the pandemic made it difficult to find the right fit that aligned with his values. More recently, Steve discovered FamilyForward while doing a Google search for family-focused, nonprofit charitable organizations in the area in which to become involved.

In conversations with FamilyForward Executive Director Beverly Worthington, Steve found the concept of working with and mentoring a smaller, more focused set of families very appealing. He also appreciates that FamilyForward accompanies and supports families for a longer period than other agencies. “Teaching these families to ‘fish for themselves’ while also providing a leg up financially through rental assistance and other services seems to be a perfect multiple-prong approach,” Steve believes. Most important: “Keeping the families fully engaged during the process will drive the greatest benefit.”

Growing up, Steve observed that finding margin in the family budget was often challenging; however, Steve’s parents were disciplined, strict with their budget, and lived within their means. These same principles have served Steve well in his own household; he manages his family’s finances, adheres to a monthly budget, and saves meaningfully. The lessons he has learned have helped Steve to understand the challenges faced by the families FamilyForward serves and the strategies offered by FamilyForward’s volunteer mentors.

Balancing volunteerism with family and work commitments

Steve lives in Arlington Heights with his wife and three children, and the family is excited to have another child on the way. He currently serves as a Director of Private Credit for NXT Capital. Wearing many hats throughout his career, his roles have consistently required strong decision-making skills, critical thinking, networking and relationship management. Steve previously served as an Audit Senior at Deloitte & Touche from 2012 to 2014.

Steve is an individual who can also see the big picture, leading others toward a vision while setting attainable goals along the way. These qualities, combined with his personal and professional background, should serve FamilyForward well as Steve lends his expertise and experience to the FamilyForward Board of Directors. Welcome, Steve!