Steve Bentley, Executive Director, Time Out Youth

I’ve appreciated for many years the importance of building a community and living in community.  It’s one of the things I enjoyed most about my career and First Union/Wachovia.  I’ve never seen that concept more consistently and powerfully demonstrated than at Time Out Youth.  Every day we see youth whose overarching desire is to be welcomed, appreciated and loved.  Many of our youth say that TOY is like family and that it feels like home - a place of comfort, support and safety.  That is the very environment that Time Out Youth has offered for 20 years.  It’s a place where critique is not criticism, advice is found not delivered, and where you can find your place in the world.
Time Out Youth is a place to learn and live and love; not just for youth, but for volunteers and staff as well.  In my three years here, I’ve learned the value of patience in the face of the impatience of youth.  I’ve learned the importance of living life out and proud, both for myself and for those around me.  I’ve learned to love the adolescent in me that never seemed all that loveable before.  And, I’ve learned all over again the sustaining joy of being part of a family.  I am humbled to be part of such an incredible organization.  My association here has been transformative.