No good deed goes unpunished — or so the saying goes. Area nonprofits are feeling the sting of those words as they find their funding being cut, frozen or eliminated altogether. 

You Matter 2, a nonprofit in Flossmoor that offers programming to empower and educate south suburban youth, is one such agency.

“Our organization is definitely being impacted. We lost one of our biggest funders because their foundation shut down,” said Destiny Watson, founder and CEO of You Matter 2. “People’s willingness to give may have shifted. We’re definitely in a tough position.”

Despite funding challenges, You Matter 2 and other area agencies continue to help their clients and serve those in need.

“I really love the work that I do,” Watson said of the programs it offers for  students from middle school to high school. “We’re really making a difference in their lives.”

Watson hears this from parents, too. Parents tell them that “after my child participated in the program, they really came out of their shell,” she said.

But funding remains an issue.

When a lack of funding forced a staff reduction at You Matter 2, Watson turned to the Cook County Justice Advisory Council. They received a starting block grant of $100,000 over two years allowing Watson to bring on more staff and do professional development, she said. 

They are waiting to hear if they will receive the other grants for which they applied, which total over $700,000, Watson writes. 

You Matter 2 gets much of its funding from smaller grants and individual donors, but that only covers about 34% of its budget, according to Watson. Last year, the agency’s fiscal budget was $350,000, she said.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Watson reached out to prospective donors asking for financial and material support and included links so they could easily donate money or buy materials for the program. 

The response has been positive. So far, they’ve received $1,500 in financial donations, nine boxes of snacks and five boxes of school supplies, Watson said.

Watson said that her agency does not receive any direct federal funding. 

But, states receive federal funds from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers and distribute that money through grants. Grant recipients are usually schools and other institutions that offer after school programming and other services. However, on July 1, the Trump administration froze those funds for “further review.” 

That action has left after-school programs around the country in limbo. There’s no money to be given right now, Watson said. 

In June, You Matter 2 marked its 10th year of operation with a celebration and silent auction fundraiser. Although it fell a bit short of its $30,000 goal for the silent auction, the staff continues to look for ways to raise money for the organization.

For example, Watson said they have started a giving tower for the 35 students in its Game Changers Program. To make it fun, students were told that if they raised over $2,000, they’d get to throw pies at the staff, Watson said.

The agency offered two new summer programs this year. Future Forward, which is for 9th through 12th graders, offers a mix of workshops, local college tours, resume writing, CPR classes and more. 

You Matter 2’s Next Gen program is an eight-week paid summer enrichment program for 17-to-18 year-olds, which culminates with students selecting an issue or problem in their career path, finding a solution and doing a presentation for a panel of judges. 

“We serve them holistically,” Watson said of the many programs You Matter 2 offers. 

In her Facebook post, Watson wrote, “We are committed to closing opportunity gaps and empowering South Suburban youth to become confident leaders, engaged citizens and future changemakers. Through structured enrichment programs, career readiness initiatives, and community engagement opportunities, we address critical societal challenges such as educational inequity, workforce development, mental health, and violence prevention. Our programs provide students with the skills, mentorship, and real-world experiences they need to thrive academically, professionally, and personally — ensuring they see their own potential and their ability to shape the world around them.”

Watson started You Matter 2 when she was still a high school student. Even then, she had a community service mindset, which earned her a college scholarship from former L.A. Laker, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. He heard Watson speak at a We Day concert and conference. (To attend the event, students had to do a minimum of one global and one local community service act.) Johnson was moved by Watson’s civic mindedness and told Watson and another student speaker that he was going to pay for them to go to college. 

“That was a pivotal moment for me, too,” Watson said.

Watson attended the University of Dayton and went on to earn a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from North Park University. While still in college, Watson’s You Matter 2, received its 501(c)3 status. 

Today her organization serves over 500 students each year as well as hosting community events such as a Juneteenth Celebration and a back-to-school event.  

Watson said that alumni of the program are always willing to give back because they care so much about the program.

“Overall, I find joy in being able to serve the community that I grew up in. It’s been very grassroots. It’s become a staple for the community,” Watson said.