New Board Members

Recently Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless had some changes in our board of directors. We are grateful for the valuable service of those who have recently left our board, and we welcome the new members who will bring new expertise, energy, and ideas.

Goodbye for now…and THANK YOU!

• Kris Madson. The Coalition bids a fond farewell to Kris Madson, who is leaving the Board after six years. We will miss the enthusiasm, creativity, energy and wit she brings to her work. On the Board, Kris has been a passionate advocate for housing in suburban and rural Minnesota, she worked successfully to broaden our communities of support, and reminded us at every occasion about the need for advocating for the entire continuum from emergency shelter to permanent housing; she was often frustrated that advocates in the housing/homelessness world get too busy reacting to budget cuts or zoning issues or whatever crisis is at hand that the goal of permanent housing is put off again and again as more immediate needs command attention. While the push for permanent supportive housing has been gaining momentum, Kris still sees a gap for low-income folks in the areas of affordable rental housing and home ownership. We are confident that she will continue fighting to bring the cost of housing down so low-income individuals, families, and youth can have a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. Thank you, Kris, for your great work, warm friendship, and dedicated leadership on housing issues!
• Christy Snow-Kaster. We also thank Christy Snow-Kaster for her three years of service on the Board. Christy recently earned her law degree and was admitted to practice law in Minnesota. Christy is moving from her position as Director of MESH to a new position as a staff attorney at Central Minnesota Legal Services in Minneapolis. Christy will be practicing housing law. Thank you, Christy, for your incredible leadership and contributions to housing and homelessness issues. We know you will continue to break new ground in your new position at CMLS!

WELCOME New Board Members!

• Deb Holman, Duluth. “I began working in direct service with people experiencing homelessness 8 years ago. It has changed my life and re-directed my own priorities, especially in the spiritual sense. Most of my experience has been as a case manager/outreach worker. I most recently accepted the position of Social Service Program Manager, at the Damiano Center in Duluth. My new position will allow me more time for community involvement and will tie in well with the work the coalition is doing. My hope is to form a group such as the X Committee in Duluth. The Mayor and community here have committed to ending homelessness. My interest in policy issues and how that affects people in poverty led to my desire to become a board member of the coalition. Also the organizing work that is being done–I admire the dedication of those working towards ending homelessness and look forward to being a part of that process.”
• John Hetterick, Plymouth. Prior to 2001 when Mr. Hetterick began his service as President and Executive Director of No Place Like Home Communities, he enjoyed a career in the business community. He began his career in marketing at General Mills, Inc. in 1974. In 1979, he joined Pepsi-Cola International as Director of Marketing for Brazil, based in Rio de Janeiro. He advanced to Regional Vice President (RVP) in North Latin America. Later he served as RVP-South Latin America managing Brazil, Argentina and five other Andean countries. From 1987-1989, he served as Vice President-Marketing for all of PepsiCo’s beverage business outside the United States. Mr. Hetterick joined Tonka Corporation in Minneapolis in 1989 as President of Tonka International. When Tonka was acquired by Hasbro in late 1991, he moved to Rollerblade, Inc. as President and Chief Executive Officer, where he remained for six years. Following Rollerblade, Mr. Hetterick worked first as COO and then as CEO to turn around Verdant Brands, Inc., a business with extremely serious financial problems. After selling off the assets of that business, he served in a consulting and Board capacity with several businesses before making the decision to dedicate full time to No Place Like Home Communities in May 2001. John views joining MCH’s Board as “a natural extension of what I’ve already been doing with No Place Like Home. We’re in the business of homelessness prevention and have always been open to taking people out of homelessness who are ready for transition to permanent housing. I see the policy aspects of what MCH is doing as very closely related to what we’ve been doing and, of course, worthy of major support on its own merits. There is so much to be done. I’m honored to have been asked and only hope I can be of value.”
• Margo Hurrle, Minneapolis. “I have worked for Minneapolis Public Schools for the last fourteen years as an advocate to families and youth experiencing homelessness. My job is to meet all students living in homeless shelters, youth shelters and domestic violence shelters in Minneapolis and make sure they are registered, attending school, and have the tools they need to be successful students. The people I get to know on this job have had an enormous impact on me. I see incredible strength, resiliency and amazing attitudes in everyone from small children to grandparents. Everybody deserves a decent and stable home to grow in. The MN Coalition for the Homeless does great work and I am honored to be allowed to be a part of their efforts to end homelessness.”