MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS
A Place for You is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Vicki VanderVegt.
Vicki along with a small staff and dedicated group of volunteers work together to provide shelter, hospitality and support services to assist residents into safe, affordable, sustainable housing.
Kim Brubaken: Board Chair
Kim Brubaken is a retired senior high guidance counselor. She retired from Pine City High School after 20 years. Prior to that, she was the director of the Employment & Training Center at Pine Technical College, which delivered welfare reform programs in a five county area. Kim has been a lifelong resident of Mora where she has been actively involved in youth mission trips and providing foster care for adolescent teenage girls. Kim has been an advocate for youth and adults while serving on several boards including her church and advocacy organizations in the Twin Cities.
Deb Eck: Treasurer
Deb grew up on a farm near Gonvick, a small town in northwestern Minnesota and has lived in Pine City since 1969. She has a degree in accounting from St. Cloud State University and recently retired from East Central Energy after a 24 year career in their finance department. Deb has been involved in volunteer activities within the community and church throughout the years. One that is very special to her is the Image Project. Through the efforts of all those involved the Masaii girls in Tanzania are getting an education. It was this group that inspired Deb to become involved with A Place for You.
Steve Hallan: Board Member
Melissa Chinn: Board Member
Melissa is a native of rural Middle River, a small farming community in northwest MN. After graduation from MSU-Moorhead, she worked five years in northeast South Dakota as a School psychologist before returning to MN with her family. Initially employed almost 10 years with the Rum River Special Education Cooperative based in Cambridge, she works for the St. Croix River Education District. She worked as an RTI, Reading First, and MN Reading Corps coach for several years, serving school districts between the Finlayson and Chicago Lakes areas. Melissa has since transitioned back to a School Psychologist position within the Pine City School District, but continues to serve as a trainer and coach for the MN Reading Corps, an Americorps program. Melissa's work with Kim Brubaken at the PCHS, and a desire to support her community, inspired her involvement with APFY.
Tracy Smetana: Board Member
Tracy grew up in Pine City and currently resides in North Branch with her husband, two children, and three cats. She is the Planner for the Energy Assistance Program at the Minnesota Department of Commerce and teaches at Metropolitan State University. Previous work experience includes various positions with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office and Case Manager with the Employment & Training Center at Pine Technical and Community College. Tracy has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Saint Thomas and a master’s degree in public administration from Metropolitan State University. She has also volunteered with several community organizations.
Teresa Hasbrook: Board Member
Briana Michels: Board Member
Michelle Young: Board Member
Michelle grew up in White Bear Lake, MN and briefly lived in Michigan before making her home in North Branch with her husband and three children, where she's been for the last 25 years. She has degrees in Elementary and Secondary Education and nursing, as well as a Master's degree in Psychology. Michelle often calls herself a professional student! Early on, she taught middle school English, but now spends her time doing volunteer work in both the community and in her church. Michelle's passion is working with vulnerable populations, whether they be local or in other parts of the world. She is excited to be a part of such a great organization as A Place For You.
We Have Openings for Board Members
Board Member Position Description
Regularly attends board meetings and important related meetings
Makes serious commitment to participate actively in committee work
Volunteers for and willingly accepts assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time
Stays informed about committee matters, prepares themselves well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports
Gets to know other committee members and builds a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus
Is an active participant in the committee's annual evaluation and planning efforts
Participates in fund raising for the organization