After 15 years, Bradenton’s Turning Points homeless services agency to get new director

After 15 years of leading and growing the area’s premier homeless services agency, Turning Points Executive Director Adell Erozer is retiring from the Bill Galvano One Stop Center.

In her place, Kathleen Cramer will become the new agency head.

Cramer brings with her 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, previously holding management positions with the United Way, American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

The Michigan native also has worked as the managing director for a children’s grief center and most recently as a financial advisor for a Fortune 300 nonprofit agency.

She is filling big shoes.

“Adell will be greatly missed by all and we are so appreciative of the strong foundation she has laid for Turning Points,” said Mark DeHaan, Turning Points board of directors president, in a prepared statement.

“In our search for a new executive director, the board wanted a leader who shared our values and matched our commitment to this much-needed mission,” DeHaan said.

Cramer is that match, he noted.

“Her zeal for our cause will ensure a continuity of strong leadership for clients, dedicated staff and compassionate volunteers,” DeHaan said. “We are thrilled to have Kathleen guide us forward.”

The board hired a talent management company to conduct a search for a new director and found Cramer, who couldn’t resist the opportunity.

“It was evident that Turning Points has passionate and committed staff, volunteers and board of directors, and I am personally connected to their meaningful work,” Cramer said in a written statement.

Cramer said she grew up in poor conditions, “and it’s an honor to provide a compassionate environment where families, very much like my own, can secure the resources they need and respect they deserve.”

Cramer said her goal is to build upon the accomplishments of the agency’s past quarter century and expand the impact and reach of Turning Points in the community.

Under Erozer’s leadership, Turning Points has seen exponential growth in the number of clients served and services provided.

Most notable are her efforts to establish the medical and dental clinic, which provides more than 8,000 complimentary visits to the uninsured and under served in the area every year.

Erozer will continue with Turning Points over a 30-day transition period.