When Simon Fitzkappes, a Crew Leader in Tree Trust’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), says, “I owe my life to Tree Trust,” he’s not speaking figuratively. His parents Kate and Jeff met over two decades ago while working as Tree Trust Crew Leaders!

In the summer of 2000, Kate was a student at Saint Cloud State University and Jeff was a student at Macalester College. That summer and the next they both worked at Tree Trust. What they found was much more than just a summer job. They worked outside in all kinds of weather, building retaining walls and boardwalks, clearing buckthorn, and mentoring youth. They learned about leadership, community, and the value of hard work. Kate jokes now that she barely remembers the projects; she mostly remembers “driving around with Jeff.” And Jeff? He recalls “working hard together in the hot sun, getting ice cream after work, and realizing that if you still like someone after spending 12 hours sweating and hauling lumber, that probably means something.”

Kate’s first summer on the job taught her an important lesson in worksite safety. Tasked with removing timber edges and building a retaining wall, she was pushing herself to get the job done, often taking on extra work when her crew needed a break. One day, while using a sledgehammer to drive in metal wedges, Kate accidentally smashed the tip of her finger. “I was too embarrassed to take my glove off,” she admitted. “But I knew something was really wrong.” Her site supervisor rushed her to the ER, where she was stitched up and, fortunately, her fingertip was saved.

Later that day, still recovering, Kate found herself tagging along with her supervisor to check in on another crew site. Jeff remembers the moment vividly. “She had this glassy look, and Kate told me what happened,” he said. “And I just thought, ‘She’s the most resilient person I’ve ever met.’” Kate’s injury became a cautionary tale passed down to future crews—Simon even told it to his own team when they started holding the sledgehammer too high.

From the beginning, the Fitzkappes family’s work at Tree Trust was shaped by values that they would carry forward into their careers. Professional was the baseline: “We were trained so well,” Kate said. “It wasn’t just ‘go figure it out.’ We felt supported and equipped.” Commitment showed up every day, like when Jeff helped a young participant—too cool to wear a belt—by making him suspenders out of twine. “He turned a standoff into a moment of connection,” Kate said. “And all the kids wanted twine suspenders after that.”

Kate is now a clinical social worker, and Jeff followed a path into youth ministry and currently serves as a pastor. Both trace their roots back to Tree Trust, where their dedication to their teams and their work helped shape the strong work ethic they carry today. “Tree Trust modeled what it looks like to treat young people with dignity,” said Kate. “It wasn’t just about finishing a boardwalk. It was about investing in lives.”

After a whirlwind summer in 2001—one filled with shared job sites, carpool rides, and the occasional after work park date—Jeff asked Kate the big question: “Are we dating?” She replied, “Do you want to be?” And that was that. Ten months later, they were married.

Simon Fitzkappes was born in 2005. In 2025, he was hired at Tree Trust—not because his parents pushed him, but because something about the stories, the legacy, and the mission called to him. “My mom follows Tree Trust on Facebook,” he laughs, “and she kept sending me stuff.” Eventually, he applied. Now, he’s leading his own crews, mentoring youth, and constructing projects that directly benefit the community.

“I’m trying to slow down and be intentional,” Simon said. “In high school construction, everything was go-go-go. But here, we’re focused on doing it right, on teaching and learning. And the kids want to work, they’re so motivated.” Simon’s resilience as a leader is shown in his ability to adapt, not just to pace, but to people. “My A-crew moves fast. My B-crew is more laid back,” he said. “I’m learning how to lead both well.” His team just completed a boardwalk project ahead of schedule, and now they’re starting another.

The Fitzkappes family has grown alongside Tree Trust, and their lives are living proof of our enduring stewardship—not just of the landscapes, but of people. “We tell everyone: Tree Trust shaped us,” Kate said. “And now, it’s shaping Simon too.” From a summer job to a life partnership, and now to the next generation, their story is rooted in something greater than work. It’s rooted in purpose.

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