May 29, 2026
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About the Program
At Citadel, colleagues are encouraged to use their expertise to strengthen the communities where they live and work. Through the firm’s Community Leaders program, which provides nonprofit board matching, governance training and financial support, employees are helping organizations around the world advance their missions and create lasting impact.
Noah Hornstrom, a Portfolio Manager at Ashler Capital, has served on the board of the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) since 2018, helping vulnerable youth across the country access critical crisis support services.
The NRS operates a 24/7 hotline and digital platform that connects people in crisis with immediate support. When young people and families with nowhere else to turn reach out, NRS responds in real time, delivering more than 25,000 crisis services annually. It’s often the first point of contact for those facing homelessness or other unsafe situations.
Noah initially joined the board through a board-matching program facilitated by the University of Chicago. As he was trying to decide where to get involved, the organization’s direct, real-time impact appealed to him.
“What stood out was the ability to reach someone at exactly the moment they need help,” he says. “If you can connect them to the right resources at that point, you can change the trajectory of their life.”
He now serves as chair of the engagement committee and sits on the governance and executive committees, focusing on strengthening awareness and aligning fundraising with the organization’s evolving priorities.
Although the organization was founded in 1974 to support runaway and homeless youth, demand for mental health support has surged in recent years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. That shift has increased the volume and changed the nature of incoming requests.
To meet this demand, the organization has expanded its services to include new support channels for youth experiencing mental health crises. NRS also launched its MOCA hotline, which provides dedicated 24/7 mental health support and referrals for teens, a focus during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
“We’ve seen a real change in what young people are reaching out for,” Noah says. “Mental health has become a much larger part of the work.” The organization has broadened its reach nationally and adapted its operating model to accommodate that shift. Its services connect youth with shelters, counseling and local support networks across the country. Through its Home Free program, NRS also provides transportation to help young people return to safe living situations.
The people who contact the organization for help every day shape NRS’ approach, from teens seeking a safe place to stay to those navigating abusive or unstable home lives. “Timing matters,” he says. “When someone reaches out, that’s a critical moment.”
Noah sees Citadel’s Community Leaders program as a way to extend that work, providing employees with the resources to support organizations they care about.
“It’s a meaningful step forward,” he says. “You’re enabling people to contribute in a more impactful way.”
Visit our Civic Leadership page to learn more about Citadel’s Community Leaders program.
