Staff Spotlight: Cheryl Turner
If you’ve ever walked into FSR in the evening, chances are the first friendly face you’ve seen belongs to Cheryl Turner. As a steady presence at the front desk, Cheryl has been helping people feel welcome, safe, and supported for nearly a decade. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
Originally from the Chicago area, Cheryl moved to Rochester in 2001, a date she remembers clearly: September 11. Looking for a slower pace of life and better schools for her youngest son, she followed the encouragement of her brother, who had already made Rochester home. After visiting several times, Cheryl knew it was the right move. Today, she says you couldn’t pay her to move back to Chicago.
Before joining FSR, Cheryl worked a variety of jobs from a grocery store cashier to a program aide in a group home and 11 years at IBM, where she worked in manufacturing and later served as a lead in subassembly. When layoffs eventually came, Cheryl found her way to FSR. Beginning with a year of training before being hired into a part-time evening front desk position, she’s been here ever since.
Cheryl has always worked the front desk, primarily during evening hours. While it’s a shift many people shy away from, it suits her perfectly. Living close to the office and enjoying the rhythm of the evenings, Cheryl has made the role her own. She greets clients, directs visitors, supports evening appointments, and helps keep things running smoothly when most of the building is winding down.
One evening a week, she plays a hands-on role welcoming participants, supporting presenters, and making sure everyone has snacks and feels comfortable. During COVID, Cheryl was proud to see the group continue virtually, ensuring participants could still connect and receive support when they needed it most.
“Front desk is pretty much the first ones that you see when you come here,” she says. For Cheryl, being warm and inviting helps set the tone for everything that follows. Over the years, she’s seen people arrive in all kinds of situations and states of mind, and she takes seriously the responsibility of helping them feel safe and welcomed from the moment they walk through the door.
Outside of work, Cheryl is surrounded by family. She has children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren in the Chicago suburbs, while her youngest son and his family—including six grandchildren—live here in Rochester.
After nearly ten years connected to FSR, Cheryl has seen many changes—and many colleagues come and go—but she remains deeply committed. She describes her job as a “semi-retirement” that keeps her active, engaged, and connected. Just as importantly, she sees her coworkers as family. “This is my work family,” she says. “We’re a team.”
