CTSI Partner Spotlight Dave Young
Chief Executive Officer, Schuylkill Community Action
In our Partner Spotlight series, we highlight the dedicated individuals and organizations collaborating with Penn State CTSI to create healthier, more engaged communities.
If you are familiar with the efforts to improve health outcomes in Schuylkill County, you likely know the impactful work of Dave Young. As the Chief Executive Officer for Schuylkill Community Action (SCA), Dave engaged with Penn State CTSI during its Schuylkill County Community-Driven Research Day. This event led to the formation of several community-led task forces focused on improving community health outcomes. Through the Public Health Infrastructure Task Force, SCA collaborated with partners to assess existing programs and identify opportunities to enhance services, particularly within food distribution efforts.
For Dave, the mission is centered on ensuring households can meet basic needs while creating opportunities for long-term stability. "Schuylkill Community Action is a nonprofit... focusing all available resources on lower-income residents, empowering them to work toward achieving self-sufficiency," he notes.
Addressing Poverty and Strengthening Communities
Dave's organization takes a comprehensive, community-based approach to addressing poverty. SCA provides a wide range of programs designed to improve quality of life, including housing services and counseling, food assistance through the Schuylkill Food Network, utility assistance, and financial education.
Currently, SCA serves more than 14,000 unduplicated residents annually across a network of 21 pantries. Affordable housing also remains a top strategic priority, with SCA working as a HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency to keep homeowners and renters stably housed through counseling, rehabilitation programs, and homelessness prevention.
Community-Driven Research and Tangible Outcomes
A meaningful outcome from this initiative was the ability to directly incorporate the community’s voice into program enhancements. By engaging pantry participants at the Pottsville Food Distribution, the task force identified a strong interest in learning how to prepare meals using pantry staples. In response, they developed and distributed recipe cards featuring simple meal ideas, measurement conversions, and cooking temperature charts. After piloting these materials at two distributions, additional feedback highlighted a need for basic kitchen tools. As a result, SCA is now addressing this by bulk purchasing items like measuring cups, can openers, and meat thermometers to further support households in confidently preparing healthy meals.
Inspiration Through Impact
When asked what inspires him to do this work, Dave points to the people he serves. "What inspires our work is a deep belief in the strength and resilience of the Schuylkill County community and the conviction that every individual deserves meaningful opportunities to thrive," he shares.
This belief, combined with a strong sense of responsibility to his neighbors, drives his commitment to helping residents achieve self-sufficiency and improve their overall quality of life.
The Power of Partnership
Dave views his collaboration with Penn State CTSI as a vital component of community engagement. He highlights the CTSI team's "strong commitment to collaboration and their ability to meaningfully engage community stakeholders."
"They bring together a diverse group of partners and ensure that the voices of those with direct, lived experience are at the table," Dave explains. This partnership has also created new opportunities, such as connecting SCA with Penn State nursing students through their Community Health course to support outreach and education efforts regarding health-related social needs. For organizations looking to build strong partnerships, Dave advises that "it takes a village," noting that the strongest outcomes come from intentional collaboration and shared purpose.
Getting to Know Dave
What he wants you to know about his work:
"The common myths and misconceptions about people experiencing poverty are often inaccurate and unjust. Individuals and families facing financial hardship are not defined by their circumstances... It is important to approach this work with empathy and a recognition of the dignity and worth of every individual we serve."
How he recharges:
Spending time with his family, doing yard work, golfing, and watching sports.
What a "win" looks like for him:
A "win" happens every day and is found in meaningful progress that improves someone's circumstances—whether it's successfully rehousing those who are experiencing homelessness, bringing a new program to the community, or hiring a new staff member.
A lesson that has stuck with him:
The importance of patience and recognizing the value of small wins. "Meaningful change rarely happens all at once, and progress is often built step by step through consistent effort and incremental improvements."