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
Marcus Thorne received his bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his master’s degree from Wheaton College. Before joining the YMEN staff, Marcus served as the interim-Executive Director of the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation where he led a multi-million dollar organization committed to develop affordable housing in North Lawndale. Marcus serves as YMEN’s Director of Mentoring and is the project manager for the North Lawndale African-American Initiative. 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 1997. After attending Whitney Young High School, Xavier graduated with a degree in Business Economics from DePaul University. Xavier became YMEN’s first full-time Development Director in October of 2008. Xavier is an example of YMEN’s primary goal… indigenous leadership.

Alysia Lubbers, Director of EVE
Although she began as a YMEN volunteer in the Arts Alive program, she quickly developed relationships with the young women by in the North Lawndale Community. In 2007, Alysia started EVE, a program of YMEN that works exclusively with young women by providing academic support, character and self-esteem enhancement, and leadership development. EVE stands for these three core principles: Education, Value, and Empowerment.

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 Junior 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.

Aaron Gray, Henson School Coordinator
In September, 2008, YMEN expanded its services by opening a satellite office in the Mathew Henson Elementary School in the North Lawndale Community. Aaron joined YMEN’s staff to serve as the on-site coordinator to this school. Aaron runs three “Dare to be Kings” programs, coordinates before and after-school programs, assists in classrooms, provides guidance and support for junior high students, and creates a bridge from the school to the YMEN organization located three blocks away. Aaron lives in the North Lawndale community.

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.