The executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club will leave effective August 31, the club board of directors announced in a press release Saturday morning.
Jessie Damroth has led the club for the past four years.
“After four years of significant contributions, [Ms. Damroth] has decided to leave . . . to pursue new professional opportunities,” the brief release said.
Ms. Damroth will remain available through Dec. 31 to assist with the search for her successor, the release also said.
The departure of Ms. Damroth comes as the club is in the early stages of a major capital campaign and expansion of its facility in Edgartown.
Ms. Damroth grew up on the Island and returned in 2016 to take the job as club executive director. She had previously worked as a development officer at Williams College and Duke University.
In the past year she has been at the forefront of efforts to buy land and launch a fundraising campaign for an ambitious new, expanded facility off the West Tisbury Road in Edgartown.
The club serves thousands of Island children through year-round programs at extremely low cost. When the state allowed summer camps to resume in July, the club reopened with outdoor programs for children at no charge.
“We are grateful for all of Jessie’s contributions that helped us grow the club’s mission over the past four years, and we appreciate her desire to pursue new opportunities,” board chairman Jeffrey Madison said in the release.
“During her tenure, Jessie led our organization to new heights and helped continue a tradition of providing quality programs, education, and services to the Islandwide youth population. Importantly, [the club] is well-positioned to serve its membership as we continue to navigate through changing times and to meet the needs of the community that we serve.”
