When Chuck Philipsek first got involved with Stepping Stone Emergency Housing, he didn’t step into a boardroom—he stepped into the garden.
Answering a call for landscaping help more than three years ago, Chuck offered his skills to refresh the grounds of the shelter. That initial involvement led to a transformative collaboration in 2022, when Chuck coordinated with Connexus Energy volunteers to complete a full landscaping renovation in just one morning—something he notes would have taken the staff years to accomplish alone.
But Chuck’s passion for helping others didn’t stop with garden beds and walkways.
A certified Master Gardener through the University of Minnesota, Chuck now helps maintain the landscaping and raised vegetable gardens at Stepping Stone. He also shares his knowledge with residents, many of whom have taken ownership of the gardens themselves. Last summer, residents planted, tended, and harvested produce that fed both the community and their spirits—with cherry tomatoes becoming a seasonal favorite.
Chuck’s path to board membership came naturally. A retired attorney with nearly three decades of experience in corporate law, Chuck served on boards of several for-profit joint ventures and subsidiaries. When he saw an opening on Stepping Stone’s board, he knew it was an opportunity to bring his governance experience to a cause he deeply believes in.
Chuck and his wife were financial supporters of Stepping Stone before he began volunteering. “We started noticing more people experiencing homelessness while eating breakfast in Anoka,” he recalls. “We realized it wasn’t just a big-city issue—it was in our own backyard.”
What drew him to Stepping Stone was its commitment to long-term solutions, not just short-term shelter. “They’re not just offering a bed for the night—they’re working to end homelessness for each person who walks through the door,” Chuck explains.
Serving on the board has also deepened Chuck’s understanding of homelessness. “What surprised me most was the number of elderly individuals facing homelessness,” he says. “Many have had stable housing their whole lives but now face it due to medical or financial hardship. It’s heartbreaking—and it’s growing.”
Chuck encourages others to get involved however they can. “If you’re looking to make your time and money matter, Stepping Stone is the place. The impact is real, and the need is urgent.”