Brandon Steven is a Niles resident who works with the Niles District Library. He is a volunteer and leader with the Niles Young Leaders, group of local young professionals dedicated to service projects benefitting the Four Flags Area.

What kind of volunteer work do you do?

I’m currently the president of the Niles Young Leaders. Our main focus is just to make the City of Niles a better place in general, but on a more specific level, for young professionals. We try to connect young professionals with one another to help them make connections that will help them throughout life. We try to teach professionalism and professional development with them. We work with Niles New Tech seniors to prepare them for life after high school. We recently did a daddy-daughter dance back in December, just to provide a night for dads who normally don’t get a lot of time to spend with their daughters to have a special time with them. We do a lot of different things.

We also try to fill-in where we can in the community. Whenever there is a need in the community we can help fill, we try to do that.

What are the goals of the organization?

We’ve got some new business owners downtown and we have some new businesses that will be or possibly opening downtown. One of our new things is to connect with these new business owners, because a lot of these new business owners are younger professionals. Our group is, for the most part, under 40, and a lot of these new business owners are as well, so we’re figuring out how we can help them with whatever they need. That’s our main focus for the next few months.

What’s been the impact the organization has had so far in the community?

The New Tech seniors that we’ve worked with — this is our second year with them — we’ve had a growing interest in our group from them, with people asking how they can involved. They’ve started a new group at the high school called Footprints, and it’s all about finding what you want to do in life and getting you there. They’ve asked us to come to speak to them on multiple occasions because of our work with the seniors. They were very, very happy with our involvement there, and when they see us out and about in town they tell us, “we’re so glad you guys came to speak to us. We found the talk so helpful.” That’s one way we have helped impact the community.

What other kinds of volunteer work do you do?

I also volunteer with the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life. Last year was my first year as the activities coordinator with the event. My girlfriend and I were actually co-chairs for that. We helped plan all the games and events at the Relay.

What would you say to encourage others to get involved with their community?

For me, it’s seeing the smiles on people’s faces and seeing the impact you’re having on their lives. There’s no greater feeling than knowing you’ve helped changed somebody’s life or helped alter your community in a positive way. Nothing compares to it. It’s one of greatest feelings in the world, and it’s the main reason I’ve kept doing it and plan on continuing to do it.

 

Do you know a volunteer worthy of recognition? Nominate him or her by calling Craig Haupert, community editor, at (269) 687-7720, or by email at craig.haupert@leaderpub.com.