Daily Inspiration: Meet Chanda Felder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanda Felder.

Hi Chanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up on the South Side of Chicago with a heart for helping people and a passion for making a difference. Even from a young age, I found joy in encouraging others, serving my community, and being there for people during difficult times. My life experiences, faith, and personal challenges helped shape me into the woman I am today.

Professionally, I built a career in accounting, auditing, payroll, and financial operations, working in both the public and private sectors. While I’m proud of my professional accomplishments, I always knew my true purpose was bigger than a career — it was about impact, compassion, and service.

In December 2019, I founded You B4 Me, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving underserved individuals and families experiencing homelessness, hardship, and poverty. What started as simply helping people with meals, clothing, toiletries, and encouragement quickly grew into a movement rooted in love, dignity, and hope.

Since launching You B4 Me, we’ve served thousands of individuals throughout the Chicago area through community outreach events, partnerships, food distributions, youth support initiatives, winter drives, senior events, and faith-based encouragement. We’ve partnered with local businesses, shelters, churches, and organizations to help meet the needs of women, men, children, veterans, seniors, and families in crisis.

My mission has always been to remind people that they matter and that someone cares. I believe service is not just about giving resources — it’s about restoring hope, building relationships, and creating safe spaces where people feel seen and valued.

Today, I continue to grow You B4 Me while also pursuing larger community initiatives focused on empowerment, stability, and long-term support services. My vision is to continue creating opportunities that uplift communities and inspire others to lead with compassion.

Through every challenge and every victory, my faith in God has remained the foundation of my journey. I truly believe that when you put others before yourself and lead with love, lives can be changed.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“One of the biggest challenges along the way has been balancing the emotional, financial, and physical demands of running a nonprofit while also working full-time and serving the community consistently. There were times when resources were limited, donations were low, and I questioned how we would continue meeting the growing needs of the people we serve.

Another challenge has been seeing the pain that so many individuals and families face — homelessness, hunger, mental health struggles, loss, and hardship. Carrying those stories can be emotionally heavy, but it also fuels my passion to keep going.

Building trust, partnerships, and awareness for You B4 Me did not happen overnight. It required sacrifice, long hours, faith, consistency, and a genuine heart for people. There were moments of discouragement, burnout, and setbacks, but I refused to give up because I know this work is bigger than me.

Through every obstacle, God has continued to open doors, send supporters, and remind me why You B4 Me was created — to bring hope, compassion, resources, and love to people who need it most. Every challenge has helped strengthen my faith, leadership, and purpose.”

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an accounting and auditing professional with over 20 years of experience in finance, payroll, compliance, and public service. I currently work in government financial operations, where I assist with audits, reconciliations, financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. My background also includes payroll management, budgeting, and financial analysis for organizations serving hundreds of employees.

In addition to my professional career, I am the Founder and President of You B4 Me, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving underserved individuals, families, youth, veterans, and seniors. Through You B4 Me, I have helped provide meals, clothing, toiletries, school supplies, winter essentials, and community outreach services to thousands of people in need. I am passionate about giving back, empowering others, and creating programs that bring hope and support to communities facing hardship.

I specialize in financial accountability, leadership, community outreach, relationship building, and problem-solving. I am known for my compassion, resilience, professionalism, and ability to lead with both excellence and heart. Whether I am working in finance or serving the community, I strive to make a meaningful impact and inspire others to overcome challenges and live with purpose.

One of the things I am most proud of is building You B4 Me from the ground up and turning a vision of helping others into a growing organization that continues to positively impact lives throughout Chicago. I am also proud of balancing a successful professional career while dedicating my personal time to service, mentorship, and outreach.

What sets me apart from others is my genuine passion for people, my strong work ethic, and my ability to combine professional expertise with compassion and purpose. I believe true success is not only measured by career accomplishments, but also by the lives you touch and the difference you make in the world.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5–10 years, I believe the nonprofit and community outreach industry will shift toward more collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. Organizations will need to do more than provide temporary assistance — they will focus on creating long-term solutions that truly empower individuals and families.

I see a major increase in partnerships between nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, and community leaders working together to address issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, mental health, youth development, and economic stability. Technology and social media will also continue to play a huge role in fundraising, storytelling, awareness, and connecting people to resources faster than ever before.

Another big trend will be the rise of social enterprises — nonprofits creating businesses and revenue-generating programs that help fund their missions while also providing jobs and opportunities for the community. That’s one reason I’m passionate about developing You B4 Me: Clean Start Laundry, which combines free laundry services, job training, and wraparound support for underserved individuals.

I also believe people will continue looking for organizations that are authentic, transparent, compassionate, and community-driven. Donors and supporters want to see real impact and real stories of transformation. The future of this industry will belong to organizations that lead with compassion, innovation, collaboration, and a genuine heart to serve others.

Pricing:

• Donation-based support helps provide hygiene kits, clothing assistance, and emergency resources
• Community sponsorship opportunities available for families, veterans, seniors, and homeless individuals in need
• Monthly free laundry days for families in need
• Job training and empowerment programs included through community partnerships
• Proceeds help support You B4 Me outreach initiatives across Chicago

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.YouB4Me.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youb4me.nonprofit
• Other: [email protected]