Our
Story
Before Make It Haverhill existed, 301 Washington Street was the kind of place you crossed the street to avoid. The siding was peeling, windows boarded shut, the exterior mounting with trash, and scarred with graffiti. It sat neglected; forgotten. But Keith Boucher, our co-founder, and his wife, Diane, had already made a habit of bringing forgotten places back to life.
They started small by immersing themselves in their community; planting gardens, and orchestrating neighborhood clean-ups. Those Saturday clean-ups and block gatherings introduced Keith to others who cared just as deeply. In them, he caught a glimpse of the magic that could unfold when neighbors rolled up their sleeves together.
When Make It Haverhill first was born in late June of 2019, it was a textile manufacturing workspace. A company donated five industrial sewing machines to the 2,000-square-foot studio, which was originally equipped for sewing classes and 3D printing workshops. It was designed to give residents hands-on skills in fabric production and digital fabrication. But as globalization took hold and production moved overseas, thousands were laid off, and the kind of training that had once promised stability was rendered obsolete. And yet, as neighbors of the Mount Washington community gathered, a patchwork of voices grew louder, and the manifestation of a true need, something forged by and through our community, began to take shape.
We knew things were shifting when more and more people walked through our doors asking the same questions:
“Do you teach English classes here? I need to apply for a job, but I don't know how to use a computer...”
Often posed with hesitancy or broken English, these questions echoed a quiet truth. Immigrants represent a significant portion of Haverhill’s population growth. We weren’t surprised by the need, but we were moved by how clearly the community named it. And so we listened.
At first, the answer was no. But Keith, tells it like this:
“They said you can’t just start an English program. And I said,
I can do anything I want to do. If I have to teach it on YouTube, I will.”
But he didn’t have to. He reached out to one of our State Representatives, who connected him to a retired professor from Northern Essex Community College (NECC) with over 30 years of experience. She brought in two colleagues. Then a third.
And then, as it always seems to happen here, more people appeared at just the right moment. Among them was a community leader [Christine], newly retired from a globe-spanning career in the supply chain industry, ready to bring her hard-won experience back home.
“I’ve got about twenty hours a week,” she told Keith. “I’m looking to do some good.”
Christine’s timing was providential. With her energy and expertise, she organized our first job fairs, connected residents to local employers, and built pathways to jobs that remain central to our mission today. A pink couch sat in the middle of it all, where grandparents relaxed with their grandkids lap-side, listening intently with the hopes of improving their lot. Meanwhile, as parents looked for jobs, their children skimmed books from the library’s resource table.
But every story has more than one catalyst. For us, it was Tim, who drifted in after hearing about Make It Haverhill at his church. He carried a spark; why not technology training? And the question itself seemed to conjure momentum. Suddenly, another branch stretched out, and as if by some hidden choreography, skilled volunteers appeared to tend it.
Moments like these, tiny gears catching, turning, powering entire programs, helped Make It Haverhill become a guidepost for those looking for direction.
So, when the day finally came for Make It Haverhill to welcome its very first full-time staff member, it was only fitting that this moment would be entrusted to someone who carries both skill and heart. Enter Lisbeth Valdez, a first-generation immigrant from the countryside of Dominican Republic who immigrated to the United States in 2008. Lisbeth brings not only fluency in English and Spanish but also a tenacity and passion that make her an invaluable advocate for immigrants navigating opportunities in Haverhill and beyond.
Her leadership is strengthened by a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public affairs, grounding her practical expertise in a strong academic foundation. Lisbeth has a proven track record of implementing high-impact initiatives, optimizing operations, and fostering strong partnerships across sectors. Her skills in financial management, stakeholder engagement, and process improvement supports MIH’s vision to connect individuals with pathways to success. Lisbeth’s dedication to strengthening our community is evident in her work. Her appointment marked an exciting milestone in Make It Haverhill’s evolution.
Lisbeth remembers the turning point, when the community itself declared who we were:
“It got to the point where people moved to Haverhill; immigrants, job seekers, families. They’d ask their cousin, neighbor, someone at the market: ‘Where do I go? Where do I start?’
And people would tell them: Go to Make It Haverhill. They’ll help you.”
That’s how we knew we had something special in the works. We became an anchor for our community. A place where they felt safe.
Sustained by one belief: neighbors could teach neighbors.
And before all that? Keith says it plainly:
“It was just me. I’d go in every day. I’d unlock the door and sit and hope someone would walk in. Sounds crazy, but I just kept the door open.”