Kim DeLong (who is a bit camera-shy) came to Chicago in 1983 from Nova Scotia, Canada. She received her Masters of Divinity Degree from Acadia Divinity College and was ordained as a minister in the American Baptist Churches USA in 1986. Kim fell in love with the children and residents of the North of Howard neighborhood while working as the Pastor of the Jonquil Hotel with Good News Partners. In 1987, Kim worked with neighborhood residents and three Chicago churches to found Family Matters.

Kim has been the Executive Director of Family Matters for 28 years. She works with all members of the Family Matters family; parents, teens, children, staff, donors, directors, and volunteers. She also leads workshops on the Principles of Leadership.

Kim has lived in North of Howard for 32 years. The joys of her life are her husband Dan, son Caleb, and daughter Haddie. She prefers cats over dogs. Sometimes she wears shoes, sometimes not. Her obsession these days is silks and the trapeze. She is passionate about storytelling and listening to people’s stories.