Affirmations Executive Director Cheryl Czach Announces Departure
Tracy Hall named Interim Executive Director as Czach concludes tenure on May 15
Executive Director Cheryl Czach has announced her departure from Affirmations, Michigan's largest LGBTQ+ community center. In a statement to the community, Czach revealed she will step down from her full-time position effective May 15, while continuing part-time through June to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
"It has been one of life's greatest privileges to serve as Executive Director of an organization that provides hope, inclusion, and support for many," Czach wrote in her announcement.
Her connection to the Ferndale-based center began over 10 years ago as a volunteer, where she witnessed firsthand the organization's life-saving impact. Czach recounted a pivotal moment that cemented her commitment to Affirmations' mission: a young transgender woman entered the center seeking emergency assistance after being rejected by her parents upon coming out.
"Through tears, she told me, 'I didn't know what to do. But I knew if I could just make it to Affirmations, everything would be okay,'" Czach recalled. "At that moment, I understood the vital importance of our work. We aren't just a community center; we're a lifeline."
During her tenure as executive director, which began in 2023, Czach oversaw significant expansion of the center's health and wellness programming. In the letter she acknowledged that, under her leadership, Affirmations hired its first Director of Health and Human Services, added new therapists, grew the intern program, launched psychiatry services and introduced group therapy options shaped by community input.
Youth programming also flourished with the formation of a youth advisory council, improvements to the drop-in program, a new young adult group, and the implementation of art-based activities. Additionally, Czach helped develop a comprehensive three-year strategic plan that will guide the organization toward sustainable growth.
In 2023, Czach told Pride Source that the executive director role was her first full-time job in the non-profit sector. “I’m learning it,” she said. “I think I’m coming up to speed in that regard, and that’s going to be my initial challenge.”
Though Affirmations has not yet announced plans for a permanent replacement, Tracy Hall will serve as Interim Executive Director following Czach's departure. In her statement, Czach expressed confidence in the organization's future, noting that Affirmations "stands stronger than ever" thanks to an "exceptional team and a forward-thinking board."
While Czach described her decision as accompanied by "mixed emotions," she emphasized her optimism for both her personal next chapter and Affirmations' continued evolution. "It's a rare and meaningful opportunity to be able to hand off a leadership role with such confidence," she wrote. "I'm thrilled to transition this work to incredibly capable hands, knowing the organization is well-positioned for continued impact and expanded reach."
For more information about Affirmations and its programs, visit goaffirmations.org.
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