CEO Corner: Persevering, Partnering, and Pushing Forward

At Hearth’s Annual Meeting this year, we came together under a simple but powerful theme: Perseverance in the Face of Challenge. And there is no challenge more urgent—or growing faster—than the rising crisis of homelessness among older adults.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Jennifer Molinsky, Director of the Housing an Aging Society Program at Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, shared sobering data:

• Nationally, more than 146,000 people aged 55 and older experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024—a 6% increase from last year.
  
• In Massachusetts alone, the number of older adults facing homelessness rose by a staggering 17% compared to 2023.

Behind every statistic is a person—a neighbor, a parent, a friend. And at Hearth, we know that solving this crisis requires more than compassion. It requires action.

That’s why I’m thrilled to share the launch of our first-ever Hearth Housing Champion Award, recognizing leaders who are moving affordable housing forward. This year, we proudly honored Senator Lydia Edwards and Representative Christopher J. Worrell for their steadfast support. Both have championed Hearth’s mission, from securing critical funding to advocating for systemic change at the state level. We are deeply grateful for their partnership.

While leadership matters, real change happens when action spreads across an entire community. This year, Hearth’s staff—in every department, not just fundraising—answered the call. Hearth became a partner organization in the Winter Walk for the first time in February 2025. Then in March, staff took it upon themselves to reach out and partner with local businesses to raise significant support and dollars:

• Winter Walk: $43,152.15 raised
  
• Covet Consignment: $15,000 raised
  
• Flour Bakery & Café: $7,875 raised
  And we are just getting started.

Finally, I invite you to explore our Impact Report (linked here), which captures the extraordinary progress we’ve made together—and the urgent work that still lies ahead. From innovative service delivery models to community partnerships, every page tells the story of how we are Inspiring Action, one life at a time.

At Hearth, perseverance is not just a theme—it’s a way of life. Thank you for standing with us.

Warm regards,
Rhonda Pieroni
President and CEO
Hearth, Inc.