TELEPHONE: 701-729-1410
OUR FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS
Vision Statement - What we want to see in the world
We envision renewing and restoring hope to those individuals and families in need.
Mission STATEMENT - What is our work
Our mission is to demonstrate love and compassion by connecting furniture/household items with individuals and families in their time of crisis and challenge.
PURPOSE STATEMENT - why we do OUR WORK
Our purpose is to fill a void in the community by helping transform a residence into a home.
OUR core values - The rock of values we built upon
We are unwavering in our values as we work together to build this organization. These values are the foundation and they manifest in all development and impacts of the Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley.
|
Grace
Respect Compassion |
Integrity
Humility Generosity |
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES - Our guide as we connect, work, build, and evolve furniture Mission of the Red River Valley
We take our values one step further and establish guiding principles for all of our work. We ensure that every action of Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley is filled with love and hope.
|
Faith-led
Responsive Transparency |
Kindness
Connecting Perseverance |
staff
|
jordan mccormick, executive directorJordan comes to the Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley as the first full time staff member, and first Executive Director. His passion for service and background in operations management and marketing make him a great fit for the organization. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, Crookston with a B.S. in Organizational Communications, and from the University of Jamestown with a M.A. in Leadership. He also is a Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resources Management. Originally from Oakland, CA, Jordan has lived in Fargo since 2008 where he and his wife Katie enjoy spending time with their 3 young boys.
“From the moment I learned about Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley, I knew it was something special. I am thrilled to be a part of such a passionate group of people, and grateful for the opportunity to serve a community I love so much.” |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OUR TEAM LEADING the concept to ACTION
Our Board of Directors came together with a shared idea of making an impact through kindness for those in need. Conversations grew relationships and relationships fueled ideas. Soon, Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley was born. With heartfelt compassion, this group volunteers their time, talents, and abilities to taking this organization from idea to reality. They are always looking to connect with people in the community with ideas and passions in helping people. Our mission is about making a residence a home, but it is also about hope and humanity. We all can connect with that.
|
evert Van Engelenhoven, Past PresidentEvert was born and raised in Luverne, MN and graduated from Luverne High School in 1959, He is married to his wife Judy and has been married for 52 years. They have two sons and one daughter and five grandchildren. They have lived in West Fargo since 1977.
Evert is a retired insurance agent and was in the insurance industry for 52 years. Evert was a partner/owner and past president of Hektner-Lybeck-Erickson Insurance Agency in Fargo, ND. He was active in the Professional Insurance Agents Association of North Dakota and is a past president. Evert is an active member of Faith – Journey Lutheran Church in West Fargo and has served on various boards and is a past president. He has been a volunteer for the American Red Cross for a couple years and is a caseworker throughout ND, SD and western MN. He is also a member of the Gateway Lions Club in Fargo. His interests include golf and yard work, and he is a retired runner and proud to have finished the Minneapolis Marathon 8 times "I joined Furniture Mission because God has blessed me in so many ways I feel a strong desire to help people less fortunate than myself." |
|
Darrell Costain, PRESIDENTDarrell Costain grew up the middle child of a farm family and his work ethic was shaped early in life. He graduated from Milnor ND Public School and attended NDSCS and later the University of North Dakota where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.
Darrell spent 38 years in the foodservice industry, the last 16 years with US Foods in Grand Forks as the VP of Merchandising and Marketing. He has been married for 46 years and he and his wife, Arlene, have two grown children and five grandchildren. They enjoy international travel and golfing and are very active in their church. He is very involved with his Lions club as another way to give back to others both locally and internationally. "I joined Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley because I felt a need to give back. By the grace of God many have been given tools that can help so many others less fortunate." |
|
Keven kercher, secretaryKeven currently works as an Attorney at the law firm of Ohnstad Twichell, P.C. , in West Fargo, North Dakota. Previously, he served as a military engineer and then as a military lawyer in the Army for over a 20-year career, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Keven grew up in West Fargo and attended West Fargo High School. After high school, he attended and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Keven’s church as a youth was Faith + Journey Lutheran Church in West Fargo, ND, which is a few blocks from his childhood home. After retiring from the service, Keven and his family returned to the West Fargo area, and Keven reconnected with the church. He presently serves on the Church Council. Keven enjoys exploring the outdoors and spending time with his wife Sara and his two daughters Megan and Brianna. "When I learned about Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley and who they serve I knew I wanted to help. It's a group of people that are passionate about making a difference in our community. We offer hope and a hand up and it feels good to be part of that!" |
|
Paul lybeck, treasurerPaul and his wife Mona live in south Fargo and have three children and eight grandkids. He is an owner/agent at Hektner-Lybeck-Erickson Insurance Agency where he has worked for the past 47 years. He was born in Fargo in 1953 and then raised in Moorhead, MN graduating from Moorhead High School and Concordia College. Paul and Mona are members of Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo.
Paul’s lifetime hobby was fast pitch softball in which he participated for over 40 years and also was on many local, state and national committees for the sport. In addition, he has served as the executive director for several state, regional, national and international tournaments hosted by the Fargo-Moorhead Softball Association. Currently, Paul is a member of the North Dakota Softball Hall-of-Fame. Upon retirement from softball, he and his wife purchased a lake home on West Silent near Vergas, MN where they spend their leisure time. "After 30 years in business together, Evert asked me to serve on an exploratory committee regarding bringing the Furniture Mission to our community. One year later, I believe in this project with all my heart. I see the Furniture Mission as the missing link that will locally change lives and bring hope to thousands of devastated individuals and disadvantaged families." |
|
PAN SHAO, BOARD MEMBER
Pan is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and Tax Manager at Brady, Martz & Associates, P.C. Born and raised in China, "Pan" came to the United States in 2001 and moved to Fargo in 2007.. She is passionate about providing proactive and impactful solutions to local businesses and helping them grow and succeed. Pan enjoys getting to know this community and giving back whenever there is a chance. She is currently involved with the United Way Emerging Leaders, serves as a Tax Consultant for a local non-profit called United Chinese Americans Fargo-Moorhead (UCAFM) and is a long-time volunteer with Junior Achievement. Pan has a Masters in Accounting from NDSU. Pan and her husband and two children live in North Fargo. In her free time, Pan loves spending time with her family, gardening, traveling, reading, cooking or simply watching TV or playing family games.
|
|
Paul Fleming, board memberPaul recently retired after working over 30 years in the financial services industry, most recently serving as a Wealth Advisor with Bell Bank in Fargo. A native of Albert Lea, MN, he attended Mankato State University and graduated with a B.S. degree majoring in Finance and Management with a minor if Economics.
Paul worked for Kraft Foods as a Sales Representative/Account Manager for eight years and has been in financial services for 28 years. Paul is an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Fargo Gateway Lions and has served on various local boards. In his free time Paul enjoys being outdoors, motorcycle touring, golf and is a hockey fan. Paul and his wife Karen live in Fargo and they have two sons "When I learned about Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley and who they serve I knew I wanted to help. I enjoy being around people that are passionate about making a difference in our community. At Furniture Mission we offer hope and a hand up and it feels good to be part of that!" |
|
Denise tollefson, board memberDenise and her husband, Brent, live in West Fargo and have 2 children. She worked at Serenity Assisted Living & Memory Care, her family owned and operated assisted living facility in Dilworth, Minnesota for over 18 years. Her parents taught her to have a servant heart and were part of the lives of 25 foster children and residents of group homes in her hometown. Denise attended college at Concordia in Moorhead and is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead, Minnesota. Denise has served on the board at Hope Blooms and the Prairie Family Business Association. She spends her free time toting her children around to various activities, travelling and skiing.
“My love language is acts of service and Furniture Mission fills my heart to no end. My childhood was filled with children in difficult home lives and I can really empathize with the importance of having a bed to sleep on at night as a basic human right. I want to be able to help make that possible for as many people as possible with Furniture Mission!” |
|
Andrew Ohe, board memberAndrew works as a financial planning analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield. He graduated from Concordia College with a degree in accounting in the Spring of 2022 and spent time in college working at Bell Bank, as well as Dacotah Bank after college. In his free time he like to play guitar and get out in the community, as well as volunteer at the Good Shepherd Church in Moorhead and Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley.
"I enjoy serving on the Board of Directors for the Furniture Mission, a great Christian organization that is committed to helping those in need. I’m blessed to be a part of this organization and see the impact it makes throughout our community." |
|
Bryan aalund, board memberBryan grew up in Mohall, N.D. and worked as a mechanic for 25 years. He married his wife, Kelly, in 1982, and started Farming in Hazen, N.D. in 2001. He retired in 2022 and moved to Fargo, N.D. to be closer to family.
"I have a firm belief that we need to be of service to our community and try to break the cycle of hardships, abuse, and homelessness for families. Children should have their own beds to sleep in the table to gather around with their family. Through my community service I see my job as supporting families with food through the Great Plains Food Bank, shelter through the Jeremiah Program, and furnishings through Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley. I also help with education in hopes of building generosity for generations to come." Jae dewald, board memberJae Dewald’s first time living in North Dakota was during her time at the University of North Dakota where she obtained her Bachelor of Accountancy. After spending 8 years in the Twin Cities area, she has been a member of the Fargo area hospitality industry since moving back to ND in 2018. Under various management and ownership groups, Holiday Inn Fargo has stayed the constant home office as she grew her role into Area Director of Sales, currently under S&L Hospitality.
On top of serving on this Board, Mrs. Dewald’s professional extracurriculars include serving as a Board member for the Fargo Moorhead Science Museum project since 2022. Recently, Jae spoke one of the presenters at a DisruptHR conference, an event promoted as an information exchange designed to energize, inform and empower people in the HR field. When Jae is not in the office, you can find her spending time with her two children, Max & Eloise. She keeps her husband, Adam, always guessing what the packed weekend agenda looks like. Her very fat dog, Gracie gets many health walks. Finally, she enjoys asking her friends to try a new workout with her for an hour before grabbing cocktails to celebrate that the workout is over |