Changemakers 2025

Heading Home Honors State Leaders and Community Partners at 2025 Changemakers Reception

Heading Home hosted its annual Changemakers Reception on December 1st, 2025, bringing together state government and business leaders to celebrate progress in addressing the region’s housing and homelessness crisis while recognizing more needs to be done.

A Night of Reflection & Recognition

Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll spoke together about the administration’s continued efforts to expand housing affordability and reinforce support systems for vulnerable residents. The two leaders emphasized the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in reducing homelessness statewide and highlighted Heading Home as a critical partner in advancing these priorities.

The annual reception serves as a key moment for recognizing leaders who are driving systemic change and helping to advance the region’s collective response to homelessness.

Representative Rob Consalvo was recognized with the Changemaker award for Legislator of the Year for his leadership on housing and homelessness policy and his advocacy for families navigating housing instability. Earlier this year, Rep. Consalvo worked with Heading Home to deliver an amendment with 100 percent bipartisan support to legislation that had originally excluded essential protections for people with disabilities.

Pat Lucey, President of Suffolk Construction’s Northeast region and Heading Home Board Member was on hand to accept the Corporate Volunteer of the Year award on behalf of Suffolk. Led by John Fish, Chairman and CEO of Suffolk, the partnership with Heading Home stretches more than 20 years.

In 2025 alone, Suffolk volunteers transformed the playroom at Heading Home’s Lowell emergency shelter into a bright, welcoming space where children can learn, play, and feel safe. They participated in an “Up & Out” move, purchasing everything from furniture to food and household essentials, assembling and decorating bedrooms, and warmly welcoming a family transitioning from shelter into a home of their own. The organization also provided winter gear to keep families warm and cookie donations that delivered much-needed moments of joy.

Outgoing board members, Brian Kavoogian, Bill Musto, Pamela Yanakapulous, and Gilbert Winn were recognized for their years of philanthropy, service and strategic guidance.

Heading Home CEO Danielle Ferrier underscored the importance of sustained public and private partnerships, noting the ongoing need for shelter and housing support across Eastern Massachusetts.