Horizons for Homeless Children Raises Record-Breaking $1.3M at 28th Annual Horizons Breakfast, Celebrates Retiring CEO Kate Barrand

Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Brian Goldstone Delivers Keynote on the Rise of America's Working Homeless

BOSTON, Oct. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Approximately 1,000 business leaders, community members, and supporters gathered for the 28^th annual Horizons for Homeless Children Breakfast earlier this week. The event at the Boston Marriott Copley Place raised a record-breaking $1.3 million for children and families experiencing homelessness across Massachusetts.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America, Brian Goldstone, delivered a powerful keynote, describing the rise of families who work full-time yet still cannot secure stable housing. Right now, over 33,000 children are reported homeless across the Massachusetts school systems.

The morning also honored President & CEO Kate Barrand, who is retiring in February 2027 after a decade leading Horizons. Funds raised from the breakfast will support Horizons' early education program, which serves 265 children every weekday, as well as Playspaces in shelters statewide, family support services, and advocacy. Through its two-generation model, Horizons pairs high-quality early education for children with support that helps parents pursue work and stability.

“Leading Horizons for the past eleven years has been the privilege of my life,” said Kate Barrand, President and CEO of Horizons. “I am so grateful to this community for standing with our children and families, and I know Horizons' best days are still ahead."

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll also addressed guests, recognizing Barrand's leadership and the state's commitment to children and families experiencing homelessness.

"For the past decade, Kate Barrand has made sure that children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts are seen, supported, and given every chance to thrive,” says Driscoll. “Her leadership has made Horizons an essential partner to families and to the Commonwealth, and her legacy will be felt for generations. With so many families facing housing instability, Horizons' work has never been more important."

In her moving remarks to the crowd, parent speaker Carina Lopez credited Horizons with success after a family journey from homelessness to business owner.

“Every hour my children were safe at Horizons was an hour I could spend rebuilding our future. I took classes, applied for jobs, went to interviews, navigated housing, and planned what came next. And while I was working toward my goals, my children were reaching milestones of their own,” said Lopez.

About Horizons for Homeless Children

Horizons for Homeless Children is a leading provider of early education, family support, and advocacy for young children and families experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. Through high-quality early learning programs, two-generation supportive services, and cross-sector partnerships, Horizons ensures that children have the stable foundation they need to thrive.

Media Contact: V2 Communications, Horizons@V2comms.com
Crystal Haynes Copithorne, Director of Strategic Communications, Horizons for Homeless Children, chaynes@horizonschildren.org, 617-875-2511