By WHAV News Staff
Haverhill Promise Executive Director Jessica Kallin, who came onboard during the fall of 2022, leaves March 14 to become director of grants, gifts and special accounts at Lawrence Public Schools.
“It has been an honor to serve Haverhill’s children and families through this incredible initiative,” said Kallin in a statement. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that Haverhill Promise will continue to make a positive impact on our community.”
Haverhill Promise, whose mission is to ensure all Haverhill children read at grade level by the end of third grade, launched during the spring of 2018 and moved to the Haverhill Public Library last September.
Kallin referenced the move, saying, “While the transition last fall with City Hall presented some difficulties, we are incredibly grateful for the continued support and engagement of the Haverhill Public Library and its trustees. Their commitment has been crucial in maintaining our momentum, and I have no doubt that will sustain through this leadership transition.”
Haverhill Public Library Director Sarah Moser said she has been consistently impressed by Kallin’s work and devotion to the program. “Her departure is surely a loss for Haverhill. Myself and the trustees thank her for her work and wish her all the best. We hope to continue the work of Haverhill Promise and its impact on the community.”
Kallin is credited with shepherding numerous programs and initiatives, scaling community programs, winning national and local awards, fostering strong community partnerships and making significant strides in early literacy efforts.
Rep. Andy X. Vargas, Haverhill Promise co-founder, said, “Thank you to Dr. Kallin for taking Haverhill Promise to new heights, professionalizing the initiative, bringing in numerous grants and most importantly tangibly impacting the lives of so many children through the interventions and programs coordinated.” He added, “This is tough work to measure because of the scale of this ambitious and worthy literacy challenge. I am hopeful that our group can figure out a way to continue that work and the long-term project of creating a culture of strong readers in Haverhill.”
Jeff LeBlanc, president of the Haverhill Promise Steering Committee, said the board is grateful for Kallin’s “service, leadership and unwavering dedication to the cause,” adding, “her legacy here will continue to inspire all of us.”