Our Staff

Michael Trout, Executive Director
YMEN’s Founder and Executive Director, Michael Trout, is a graduate of Wheaton College who moved into the North Lawndale community with his wife in August, 1992. After serving four years with the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, Michael Trout became the Executive Director of YMEN at its inception in November, 1996. He has received a certificate in non-profit management from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has completed financial training through the Nonprofit Financial Center. He completed a 15-month training with the DeVos Urban Leadership Institute and has received numerous awards for his work in youth leadership development. He lives with his family in North Lawndale.

Marcus Thorne, Director of Mentoring (Henson Student Coordinator)
In September, 2008, YMEN expanded its services by opening a satellite office in the Mathew Henson Elementary School in the North Lawndale Community. Marcus runs three “Dare to Be King” classes at Henson coordinating before and after-school programs, providing guidance and support for junior high students, and creating a bridge from the school to the YMEN organization located three blocks away. Marcus received his bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his master’s degree from Wheaton College. He lives with his family in North Lawndale.

Xavier Ramey, Director of Development
Xavier Ramey joined YMEN in 6th grade as one of the original 15 students in 1996. After attending Whitney Young High School, Xavier graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Economics from DePaul University. Xavier became YMEN’s first full-time Development Director in October of 2008. He spent two years trading at the Mercantile exchange and one year working at one of the largest hotels in Chicago, before coming back to North Lawndale to work with YMEN. Xavier is an example of YMEN’s primary goal… indigenous leadership. Xavier is in charge of operating YMEN’s first capital campaign and general development efforts. He is a North Lawndale resident and nationally recognized performance poet.

Milton Hardnett, Family FIRST Coordinator
“Pastor Milton” began working with YMEN in 2008 after meeting Mike trout and realizing that YMEN’s vision was something he wanted to be a part of. Pastor Milton works with over 75 YMEN parents in a new initiative called “Family FIRST,” which seeks to strengthen black families through education, exposure, and access to resources like employment opportunities, technical training, and higher education. Pastor Milton is the father of 5 young men, all of whom are high school honor students, in college, or graduated from both. Two of his sons have come through the YMEN program.

Antonio Gross, Program Assistant
Antonio Gross is a program assistant at YMEN. Antonio started participating in YMEN as a 6th grade student at Penn Elementary School and is currently a senior at Northeastern Illinois University. Three years ago, Antonio served as one of YMEN’s student staff members, and officially joined our staff in October, 2005. Antonio has traveled with YMEN to Canada, Africa, as well as 15 other states. He spends about 25-30 hours a week running programs, mentoring younger students, providing transportation, and helping perform administrative tasks.

Kareem Manuel, Program Assistant
Kareem has a passion for music and passion for God; teaching our music appreciation class on Thursday nights he helps our guys examine the meaning behind the music. He also helps teach JAM on Tuesday night. However, he works with our guys on each program night. He is both a newlywed and has recently become a father, and strives to teach our boys how to be excellent husbands and fathers.

Melissa Hawkins, Administrative Assistant
Having earned a BFA degree from the School of Theater at Northern Illinois University, Melissa is working with YMEN in the day and performing her one-woman play in the evening. She brings strong organizations skills and a refined woman’s touch to what is a heavily skewed male organization.

Constance Roberts, Food Sanitation Coordinator
Having been certified through the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Connie prepares over 150 hot nutritious dinners on a weekly basis for students who attend programs at YMEN. Connie had two children attend YMEN programs and now they have advanced to college at Lake Forest College and Dennison College. Connie also helps to train YMEN students in food sanitation and service.

Delfidio J. Narvaez, Manager of Stitch-N-Style Embroidery
YMEN’s started a youth owned and operated Embroidery Company to utilize the entrepreneurial skills taught in the Money Matters Class. Delfidio Narvaez oversees its operations. Delfidio began working with YMEN four years ago as a participant of the Public Allies Program. “DJ” attended the University of Illinois and later graduated from North Park College as one of YMEN’s ten college graduates. Although Delfidio works full-time as an elementary school teacher, he continues to help run the embroidery company that he has helped to grow over the past three years. Stitch-N-Style has earned over $50,000 during this period.