One Family, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to ending family homelessness in the state, presented the Champions for Change awards at a ceremony in the Great Hall at the State House. Governor Deval Patrick (not in attendence), lieutenant governor Timothy Murray, state representative Kevin Honan, and Peabody Properties were honored for their efforts to end family homelessness through their leadership, innovation, and advocacy. In addition, Barbara Poppe, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, was the keynote speaker at the event.
"One Family was excited to host this event in recognition of the leadership, advocacy and innovation of each honoree," said Denise Durham Williams, executive director of One Family. "Ending homelessness is a movement that needs impactful leadership from the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. We are fortunate to have cross-sector leadership in Massachusetts working diligently to end family homelessness."
The keynote speaker, Barbara Poppe, has been the executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness since 2009. In that role she oversees the federal response to homelessness by working with 19 federal agencies to create a national partnership at every level of government and with the private sector to reduce and end homelessness in the nation.
At the event Poppe discussed the national goal to end family homelessness by 2020 and Massachusetts' leadership role in this effort.
One Family, a non-profit organization founded by Paul and Phyllis Fireman and family, is committed to ending family homelessness in Massachusetts. Working with leaders from government, faith communities, business, and academia, One Family is helping to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness and to provide stability for future generations.