Why We Step Up: Nate Pearson, Board Treasurer

As we continue our #WhyWeStepUp series, we’re honored to introduce Nate Pearson, Board Treasurer at Step Up Parents.

Nate’s path to Step Up Parents began not with personal experience, but with awareness—and a deepening understanding of how far-reaching the opioid crisis has become in New England.

“While I have not directly been affected with the parental situations Step Up Parents supports, at this point we all know someone who has had issues with substance abuse or mental illness,” Nate says. “Raising children is hard enough, but isincrementally more difficult for grandparents to step up to the role unexpectedly.”

Nate, a banking professional at a community-focused financial institution, was struck by the gap in support for kinship caregivers. As he learned more about the urgent needs faced by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives who step in when a child’s parent struggles with substance use disorder, he realized he had to be part of the solution.

“I was surprised to learn that no other organization focuses on supporting family members suddenly faced with raising children unexpectedly,” Nate shares. “What impresses me most is how quickly Step Up Parents can step in to help these families—and the meaningful impact we have on both the children and the caregivers stepping up for them.”

For Nate, joining the Step Up Parents board was an opportunity to turn awareness into action. Through his role as Treasurer, he helps ensure the organization remains financially strong and able to deliver immediate support to families across New Hampshire.

“Maine and New Hampshire have been hit hard by the opioid epidemic,” he says. “Through Step Up Parents, we can help support children and families that never expected to be in their situations.”

We’re grateful for Nate’s financial leadership, compassion, and commitment to our mission, and proud to share his story as part of our #WhyWeStepUp series.

Stay tuned for more profiles from the dedicated individuals behind Step Up Parents.