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Jeanine Murphy, who has served Haverhill’s Emmaus for 38 years, retires this fall.
Murphy took over as chief executive officer in 2001 when the agency that provides shelter and housing was in financial peril. The nonprofit, according to its board of directors, was “saddled with severe debt, threatened with the loss of grants for a new multimillion-dollar family shelter, upside down on mortgages, no cash in the bank and a fully utilized line of credit.”
“Under her tutelage, Emmaus is well positioned for the future with an $8.9 million budget (up from $1.1 million in 2001), no debt, newly renegotiated large contracts and real property assets worth $23 million,” read a statement issued Wednesday.
Emmaus properties have increased from five in 2001 to 17 today, and the number of permanent affordable, supportive housing units in its portfolio increased from 30 to 99.
“We at Emmaus celebrate her legacy of strength and revolutionary leadership that has improved the lives of over 40,000 women, children and individuals from across the Merrimack Valley,” the statement added. They said Murphy followed in the footsteps of her father who served for 35 years as a Haverhill police officer, rising to the rank of captain, and grandfather who served the city as a city alderman/city councilor.