YES! is welcoming a new member to our staff – Jim DeVries is a YES! coordinator in the new expansion area of NE MN. We are excited for Jim to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with the YES! Program as a Coordinator for the Northeast MN teams!
Here is a little more about Jim:
YES! is expanding into Northeastern Minnesota. This past July, Jim DeVries started as the new coordinator in the NE region of the State. “The track record of YES! in Southern Minnesota is impressive and this is exactly what NE Minnesotans are searching for,” says DeVries. As a founding member of the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability (IRPS) and long time educator at the Laurentian Environmental Center (LEC), Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help get the YES! Program off and running in the North.
YES! offers a fresh perspective on energy that is sure to get the schools and students of NE MN energized and doing great things in our communities. “The part that is most exciting and unique to me is that the YES! teams are student-led and address pressing issues in their communities. As a long time resident of NE MN, I am very aware of the needs our communities face. I also have extensive experience with the students and teachers in this region. I could not be prouder to be in the driver’s seat to offer this opportunity to our youth. As a board member of the IRPS, I have seen first-hand the thirst our communities have for a sustainable future. If we do not strive to quench that thirst we are letting our communities down. YES! is one of the best ways to enable our youth to take the steps towards a sustainable education.”
In 2014 Jim was awarded the “Teacher/Citizen of the Year” by the Mounds View Education Association for his work at LEC and his commitment to the community. When not working, Jim can often be found fishing, hunting, working on projects around the house or spending time with his family.
YES! is currently recruiting teams in NE MN who want to be on the cutting edge of this exciting opportunity. If your school or community wants to join this work towards a sustainable future, please feel free to contact Jim DeVries at [email protected].
