CEO Corner: Building Solutions, Together

October has been a powerful reminder of why our mission matters and how much further we can go when we work together. From the inspiring moments at our Gala to the quiet, tireless efforts happening every day across our programs, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the theme that carried us through this season: Together, we can end older adult homelessness.

The Gala brought that message to life. Seeing the compassion in the room reminded us all that behind every statistic is a person with dignity, history, and hope. Many who attended told me afterward that they walked away with a clearer picture of what Hearth truly does. That clarity matters, because change begins when understanding takes root.

But inspiration must lead to action.

As we plan for 2026, our focus turns toward solutions and that means broadening the table. We cannot rely solely on government programs to address the growing crisis of older adult homelessness, especially as safety net programs like SNAP face cuts and public discourse too often drifts toward criminalization rather than compassion.

The path forward is through partnerships: with community leaders, with policymakers, and with the business community. Ending homelessness isn’t just a social responsibility; it’s a collective investment in the health, vitality, and equity of our communities.

That’s why I’m so encouraged by conversations happening across the country, including initiatives led by Dr. Howard Koh and his team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Initiative on Health and Homelessness which aims to engage leadership in cities like Boston to understand and address homelessness from every angle. Winter Walk, which began in Boston, is on a mission to grow their program nationally. This is exactly the kind of systemic, cross-sector collaboration that can turn awareness into real progress.

At Hearth, we see the difference that partnership makes every day; in a landlord who gives someone a chance, a donor who believes in dignity, or a staff member who refuses to give up on a client. This work is all-consuming at times, but our clients don’t give up — and neither will we.

Together, we can build the solutions our neighbors deserve.

Warm regards,

Rhonda A. Pieroni

President and CEO