Grand Forks, ND, 1 May 2025 – The Northlands Rescue Mission Board of Directors has named Everett Jones as the shelter’s new Executive Director, effective April 6th, 2025. Mr. Jones succeeds Sue Shirek, who is retiring in May after serving eight years.
Mr. Jones has more than 15 years of combined experience in management and human services. He spent 9 years as the Program Director at the Homeless Families Foundation (HFF) in Ohio, where he led outreach and transitional housing initiatives for families experiencing homelessness. Under Mr. Jones’ leadership, HFF programs successfully housed 90% of enrolled families year over year. Mr. Jones also served as a Residential Coordinator at Covenant House, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and support to youth experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking.
Mr. Jones started his career as a Supply Specialist in the U.S. Army. He credits his military experience with helping him become a goal-orientated, independent thinker. Most recently, Mr. Jones was the Director of Residential Services at the YMCA of Central New York.
“We are excited to welcome Everett as the next Executive Director of Northlands Rescue Mission,” says Steve Brekke, Chairman of the Mission’s Board. "Everett is committed to carrying forward the Mission's legacy of making a difference in people's lives, just as our retiring Executive Director, Sue Shirek, and the Northlands Rescue Mission staff have done. With Everett's leadership, we are confident that the Mission will continue striving to fulfill its mission and vision for people in need."
“I am excited to be here,” says Mr. Jones. “In a space like Grand Forks, you have a community that cares about that community. I love that component of being here. I think there's a lot of good work that has been done and that we can continue to do and to grow.”
Mr. Jones is impassioned to lead with a strong sense of faith and from the position of having lived experience with homelessness as a young man.
“I'm a firm believer that if you're going to be in Human Services, it's to your benefit to have some experience,“ says Mr. Jones. “I think [experiencing hardship] was God's way of preparing me to be able to be in this position and represent it from a space of empathy - not just the business component, but to really understand what that feels like to [not] have a place to sleep.”
Northlands Rescue Mission is the primary emergency homeless shelter in Grand Forks. The Mission provides shelter and basic resources to people experiencing homelessness, as well as support with housing, employment, and other critical needs. The Mission helps about 300 people find permanent homes each year. The Mission also operates several food assistance programs, including a food pantry, daily meal program, and Backpack Program for elementary students.
For more information about Northlands Rescue Mission and its programs, please visit www.northlandsrescuemission.orgor email info@jointhemission.org.
