Dear King Street Center friends,
Over the past five years, King Street Center has grown in ways that reflect the hopes, ideas, and needs of our young people and families. Together, we have created new opportunities, deepened our relationships, and strengthened a place where kids know they belong and have people who believe in them.
That growth includes launching ACE, our high school program connecting teens with academic support, career exploration, financial literacy, and real-world experiences; expanding our middle school program with youth voice at its heart; and building dedicated family support alongside our early childhood, afterschool, and mentoring programs. These investments help us support young people as they grow, while walking alongside the families who nurture them.
None of this happens without a community. Our staff, families, volunteers, partners, and donors have each helped shape what King Street is today. There is so much to be proud of, and so much to look forward to.
With that gratitude and confidence, I want to share that I have accepted an invitation from Governor Scott to serve as Deputy Secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Human Services. My last day as King Street’s Executive Director will be Friday, October 16th. Leaving this organization and the people I love is hard, and I am so grateful to have been a small part of an incredible community doing some of the most important mission work in the state.
I am pleased to share that Yasamin Jenine, King Street’s Senior Director of Operations, will serve as Interim Executive Director. Yasamin brings a deep commitment to King Street’s mission, strong relationships within our community, and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to leadership. I am grateful to her for stepping into this role and have tremendous confidence in her and the team.
Yasamin will work closely with our senior leadership team and Board to support our staff and keep our work with youth and families moving forward. The Board will lead an inclusive search for King Street’s next permanent Executive Director, and looks forward to introducing them to our community when the time comes.
A new leader will bring a fresh perspective to that work, building on a strong foundation and a community full of talent and possibility. I so look forward to seeing where King Street goes next. Your partnership has helped shape everything we celebrate today, and it will continue to shape the years ahead.
I invite you to stay connected in ways that are meaningful to you, whether by volunteering, sharing our story, or making a gift.
Thank you for making King Street a place that means so much to so many. It has been an honor to share these five years with you, and I will always be cheering this community on.
With Love & Gratitude,
