From IT to Community Outreach: The Inspiring Story of Steven Ross

Steven Ross is a dedicated member of the Community Youth Services (CYS) Board, and throughout his career, he has made a significant impact in the field of IT. Our interview delves into the journey that led him to CYS and his passion for Street Outreach. With his vast knowledge and experience, Steven shares valuable insights on the critical role of community outreach in empowering youth. Join us as we explore his remarkable career and hear his ideas on solutions to the complex topic of homelessness.

Community Youth Services: Thank you so much for talking with us today. Please tell us about yourself. Where are you from, and what do you do?

Steven: Born and raised in Olympia, I pursued science at Central Washington University but eventually realized my work in IT and data engineering wasn’t aligned with my integrity. I transitioned to the State of Washington before becoming the chief data and analytics officer for Employment Security. Now with Deloitte, I’m excited to use my tech and analytics skills to help vulnerable populations in the government sector, occasionally traveling to California but primarily working remotely from Olympia.

Community Youth Services: How did you first become involved with CYS?

Steven: My journey to CYS was certainly an interesting one. After about two years in my role with the State, I began to question what my future held. Would I be content running a State Department forever? The truth was, I had no idea what I wanted to do next. However, my heart had always been drawn to the non-profit sector, and I began conducting informational interviews to gain insight into how people had arrived at their current roles.

Through these interviews, I was introduced to Derek Harris and his work at CYS. Hearing about his passion for helping the community and CYS’s impact, I knew I wanted to get involved. I reached out to Derek, and we began discussing technology and how it could be used to further the organization’s mission.

These conversations led to opportunities to serve on committees in policy and finance, and eventually, I was asked to join the board. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m grateful for the chance to contribute my skills to an organization making a real difference in the community.

Community Youth Services: Talk to us about your work with youth street outreach.

Steven: As an involved board member, I try to volunteer with CYS every week. One of the opportunities I’ve had is participating in street outreach programs. Homelessness is an incredibly complex challenge that involves a mix of macro and individual issues. Some challenges go beyond the capacity of any non-profit to address, such as promoting healthy habits and providing opportunities to youth. However, we can focus on the immediate needs of at-risk youth in our community through street outreach.

When we engage with the community through street outreach, we can understand their economic and socio-economic situations. By being consistent and showing up, we can build connections with these individuals and offer acts of kindness, such as providing food or medical supplies. This can lead to a deeper relationship and allow us to tell them about the services available, potentially saving a life or offering an opportunity for a better future.

Participating in street outreach has been a unique and essential experience that I believe is unlike anything else. It’s taught me that homelessness is far more complicated than people realize. When you immerse yourself in it, you begin to understand the forms of micro-government, behavioral norms, and sense of community within homeless camps. You cannot fully comprehend it until you’ve been there and engaged with those experiencing homelessness firsthand.

Community Youth Services: What barriers do you see to people getting involved in street outreach or addressing youth homelessness?

Steven: As an individual, the only solution I see to the complex issue of homelessness is to check my ego and political beliefs at the door and show kindness to other human beings. It costs nothing to be kind, and even if I can get just one youth to take advantage of life-saving services, it means everything to me. However, I’ve noticed that people are often numbed by the constant barrage of information that seeks to elicit an emotional reaction. Breaking away from cultural norms and thinking independently while remaining humble and showing humility is crucial. In the next step from outreach, as a board member, I focus on ensuring that CYS is financially and strategically moving in the right direction. We must constantly think of new ways to enforce our core services and reach new clients better by leveraging further information. Every time we interact with our youth, we learn something new, and over time we may identify areas for improvement in our outreach or early intervention. One of the most important things we can offer is consistency – something that many of the people we serve lack. If youth know that they can receive services from people who genuinely want to help, they are more likely to keep coming. We can’t force people to make changes, but we can be here for them when they are ready. Staying curious and open-minded is essential as we redefine what constitutes action in this complex issue.