New President Steve Votaw has been on the job for just over a month. Steve started his new position on January 19th and hit the ground running.Steve has enjoyed meeting with staff and board members- and listening to their desire to take the Furniture Bank to the next level. He even went on a ride along with two drivers to pick up furniture on a Friday afternoon.Steve says, “I have been very impressed with the dedication of the staff and commitment of the Board. The volunteers are amazing as they work to build quality bed frames, dressers and tables. The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio has a great history and is a very lean and efficient organization that’s impacting the lives of thousands of families.”Steve’s vision for the future of the Furniture Bank aligns our mission with poverty- “Poverty is growing far too rapidly and it is important for us to be a vital cog that helps alleviate its influence and look for key opportunities to provide families with the resources they need to turn their empty house into a friendly home. We know that giving a child a bed or a family a kitchen table that we are truly reducing the impact of poverty and providing an opportunity for hope.”
Votaw served as the Chief Executive Officer of Directions For Youth and Families for 17 years where he led the organization through a period of significant growth, and oversaw programs benefiting youth and their families receiving mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, and prevention services. Previously, Votaw served as the Executive Director of Learn4Life Columbus, where he was responsible for developing and leading the cradle to career initiative for children and students in Columbus.