CASS COUNTY — A local nonprofit organization is welcoming a new face.

Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services recently welcomed Rose Ludwick as its new executive director. Ludwick will be taking over the reins of the nonprofit from Kim Kramer, departing executive director.

DASAS is an organization serving St. Joseph, Van Buren and Cass counties with the objective of leading efforts to end domestic violence and sexual assault in southwest Michigan. DASAS offers a number of services to domestic and sexual abuse survivors including a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, support groups, legal advocacy and access to housing and financial assistance in addition to many other services.

“I’m very excited about this new opportunity,” Ludwick said.

Ludwick is taking over the executive director position from Kramer, who has been the director of DASAS for the last 14 years. Kramer said she is leaving DASAS in order to pursue work in the foster care field and to spend more time with her family. Kramer said she is confident that she is leaving DASAS is good hands.

“[Ludwick and I] have worked hand in hand for many years on many projects. … I was very pleased with the decision to promote Rose,” Kramer said. “It was just a natural fit for her to take over the executive director position moving forward. I think she will have some new fresh ideas and overall be very positive for the agency. I think she will take us to a whole other level.”

Previously, Ludwick served as director of operations and finance for DASAS, a position she held for nearly a decade. Though she said she loved her role in that position, Ludwick decided to pursue the role of executive director because she saw it as an opportunity to advance with the agency.

“I just wanted to do more for the agency and the organization,” Ludwick said. “I thought I was up for the challenge. I was ready to take on a new role.”

For her first order of business, Ludwick said she plans to continue projects that Kramer had already put in place prior to leaving DASAS, such as the Voices to End Violence initiative, which is meant to engage men to be a voice to end domestic violence and give to domestic violence prevention programs. 

“The first thing I do will be to get that up and running,” Ludwick said.

However, Ludwick said that she has ideas of her own that she is hoping to implement during her tenure as executive director.

“I’m excited to see the progression of the agency,” Ludwick said. “I have some ideas for our shelter model in particular. I’m excited to work with other agencies to better serve our community and the individuals who we want to improve their lives.”

Ultimately, Ludwick said she is excited to perform in her new role as executive director, because she truly believes in the mission of DASAS.

“I think we get the word out that we are not going to tolerate sexual and domestic violence and that we are going to support survivors,” Ludwick said. “That is important.”