A Message From Tom Cramer
Dear Project Kindred Community,
Just over seven years ago, I shared a meal with a group of Milwaukee youth, parents, teachers, business leaders, school principals, and funders. We called this group together to discuss an idea: a new program to connect young people of all racial backgrounds through meaningful experiences to develop authentic relationships, empathy, and understanding.
Together, we asked, “What if Milwaukee’s future leaders met when they were just 10 years old?” From that memorable meal, Camp Kindred was born.
I have been honored to serve as a co-founder of Camp Kindred and, following the merger with Unity in Motion in 2020, as the executive director of Project Kindred. Now, with an incredibly strong foundation and an increasingly vital mission, it is time to pass the torch to the next leader of Project Kindred.
The board of directors has formed a diverse and skilled search committee and has hired Leading Transitions, a local firm focused exclusively on executive-level searches and hires in the non-profit sector. Together, they will conduct a transparent and thorough nationwide search for the next Executive Director of Project Kindred. The search will start in January with the goal of placing a new Executive Director by late spring. However, my transition timeline is flexible, and I will stay on for as long as it takes to find the right leader.
I am so proud of what we have accomplished together over the past seven years, bound by our shared belief that all young people deserve the opportunity to play and grow alongside peers of different backgrounds. Together, we’ve created a thriving and impactful youth development organization. Every year, we’ve expanded our programming and increased enrollment while developing a diverse and skilled team and maintaining a strong financial position.
Thank you. Without you, none of this would be possible. Because of you, we are in the position we are in today, ready to turn the page to the next exciting chapter of Project Kindred! Thanks to you, the next leader of Project Kindred will walk into a healthy organization poised to continue to deliver on its mission. I’m excited to continue to support this wonderful organization and to watch it grow.
With gratitude,
Tom Cramer
Executive Director
Project Kindred
tom@projectkindredmke.org
414-885-5560