A Warm Welcome to the project kindred community

Dear Project Kindred Community,

As spring gives way to the warm promise of summer, I am filled with profound gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead.  I am Yaa Engel, your new Executive Director, and I am deeply honored to join an organization creating hope and change in Milwaukee.

Growing up in this deeply segregated city, I navigated the complexities of diverse identities from a young age.  These experiences not only shaped my worldview but also forged my commitment to the work we do here at Project Kindred.  As a person of mixed heritage, I have had the unique advantage of forming close connections with people from diverse backgrounds across a wide variety of social environments. These diverse connections have opened pathways that have led to my success. These opportunities to connect across differences are profoundly important to one’s life trajectory, and many still do not have opportunities to create these connections.  Project Kindred is here to change that, providing the framework for young people to forge similar bonds that are essential for personal and communal growth.

Since joining Project Kindred, I’ve witnessed firsthand the extraordinary ways in which our programs empower young people.  They’re not just participants; they’re active contributors shaping their futures and ours.  Our staff’s commitment to meeting each young person where they are–affirming their identities and guiding their growth–is a testament to the core values that drive this organization.

This is a season of growth and transformation for Project Kindred, much like the natural renewal of spring that we see around us.  Building upon the strong foundation laid by my predecessor is my top priority.  I am committed to expanding our reach, and providing more of Milwaukee’s youth with the tools to build a more inclusive future.  I also aim to deepen our impact by enhancing our programs with more offerings and training methods for our young leaders.   This focus is crucial.  In a world increasingly divided, our mission to unite and empower diverse young leaders has never been more vital.

Your involvement is still crucial to our success.  I encourage you to join us at upcoming events, participate in community surveys, and engage in volunteer opportunities.  Each interaction, each shared idea, each moment spent together propels our mission forward.  Please feel free to email me or click here to throw time on my calendar to chat.

Before I conclude, I must express my gratitude to Tom Cramer for his visionary leadership and heartfelt dedication.  Tom has created a movement and cultivated a community that thrives on empathy and action.  I am fortunate to have his guidance as we transition and evolve.

Thank you to the Board, Tom, our staff, and every one of you in the Project Kindred community for your trust and support.  Together, we will discover what we can become and achieve more than we ever imagined.

I am eager to meet as many of you as possible and to begin our journey together with open hearts and a shared vision.

With warm regards and excitement for the future,

Yaa Engel

Executive Director, Project Kindred