Apr 30 2024 6:45 PM

Theresa Linton Young, an alumna of the Washington County High School Class of 1986, has had a successful 35-year career as a social worker. After high school, she attended Kentucky State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in child development and family relations in 1991, and later earned a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville in 1996. Young says her parents and former WCHS English teacher Gayla Jenkins planted seeds in her, encouraging her to attend college. “It was time for me to graduate, and Mrs. Jenkins asked me what I was going to do. No one had ever asked me before. For three months, she helped me to apply to college, and it had a ripple effect. We all started the conversation about going to college. Mrs. Jenkins went the extra mile.”

Through attending KSU, Young says she found out that “there is a whole world out there.” “I knew there was more out there, I knew there was more I could do, and I started to find my voice,” she says. Young initially thought she would open her own daycare but decided to pursue social work after encouragement from former KSU Professor Philip Booker. “I love social work because there’s a broad spectrum of what you can do,” she says.

Her first position in the field was at Rosenwald Child Development, where she was hired part-time, and then later full-time in 1988. She then was hired at Johnson’s Day Care Center in 1991. While attending UofL in pursuit of her master’s degree, she worked as a case manager for Volunteers of American Tingley Homeless Shelter. After earning her master’s degree, she was hired at the Home of the Innocents, a pediatric convalescent center for medically fragile children, where she worked for five years. She then transferred to Seven County Services in Louisville (now named Center Stone), a community mental health center, where she stayed for 17 years. Young then worked for the Department for Community Based Services as an adult protective services investigator in Hardin County for 14 years, where she served eight counties including Washington County and as investigator for elder abuse. She later worked for Campbellsville Independent Schools as a youth services center coordinator for three years before arriving in her latest position as an outreach and case management director for Hometown Connect, located in Campbellsville, a non-profit, philanthropic organization that works to address unmet needs in the community, according to it’s website. “We serve the homeless and individuals with food insecurities,” says Young. “We assist individuals to get back on their feet and help them get their life together. We give a leg up, not a handout.”

Additionally, Young serves as a social work field and practicum instructor with Campbellsville University and has served on several boards including as a board member for Hometown Connect, on the board of directors for Adanta, a community mental health group, and as chair of the Taylor County Substance Abuse Coalition.

Through her career journey, Young says she has learned many lessons. “I’m so passionate about what I do,” she says. “Social workers have to have uncomfortable conversations, including about race. You can’t be afraid of it. There is a lot of red tape, and lots of bureaucratic barriers. You have to build a safe environment for everyone and be kind.”

She also credits her faith with giving her the tools to have a successful career. “I’m a child of God first,” says Young. “My faith is insurmountable in my job. Years ago, I stopped punching a clock. I stopped ‘working’ because I love what I do. I serve God. Ministry allows me to serve without borders. God held up his end of the deal, so I’m going to hold up mine, and God is funny. He’ll remind you.”

Young has two children, Kendon, a Kentucky State Trooper, and Kayla, an ER nurse, and one grandson, Kross.

Theresa Linton Young is pictured here holding her grandson, Kross. (Photo provided)