For more than 15 years, Judy Waterhouse has been a committed Circle of Hope volunteer and generous donor. In addition to weekly “Sorter” shifts, Judy has dedicated countless hours to training new volunteers and is always enthusiastically willing to shop for urgently needed donations so we can send them to our partner shelters right away. As a retired Boston Public Schools educator, Judy has also been a wonderful volunteer supervisor and role model to Circle of Hope’s high school volunteers and groups. With Judy’s help, COH has provided more than $8 million worth of clothing and essentials to our neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. We are honored to have Judy’s support and proud to present her with the 2024 Hope Award.

Barbara Waterhouse is the Founder of Circle of Hope and served as Executive Director from 2008-2023. For 15 years, Barbara led Circle of Hope with vision, determination, and deep compassion for the people we serve. She launched Circle of Hope at the height of the economic crisis in 2008 because she believed that people experiencing homelessness deserve access to clothing and essentials for health and dignity. She mobilized her community to uplift its most vulnerable members at a time of deep need. Circle of Hope’s incredible growth and operational strength is a testament to Barbara’s intrepid leadership and unwavering commitment to holding out hope for those in need. We can think of no one more deserving of the 2023 Hope Award. 

For more than a decade, Bruce Goody has shared his time, energy, and endless kindness with Circle of Hope. With unwavering dedication, Bruce has changed the lives of countless infants, children, and adults experiencing homelessness by making shelter deliveries, picking up and storing donations, and generously donating to Circle of Hope. As of 2022, he has personally made more than 625 deliveries to our partner shelters, healthcare clinics, and other programs - sometimes more than one in a day. Always quick to spring into action, Bruce is one of our go-to volunteers for emergency deliveries. In addition to being a committed volunteer, Bruce is a member of Circle of Hope’s Board of Directors and a generous donor. We are incredibly grateful that Bruce is part of the Circle of Hope family and we are proud to present him with the 2022 Hope Award.

Circle of Hope presented the inaugural Hope Award in 2019 to Dr. Laurie Konowitz in recognition her 30 years of dedication to the health of newborn infants as a remarkable neonatologist. Dr. Konowitz spent her career caring for newborns, teaching and mentoring physicians, and helping families get the support they need to thrive. So determined every newborn have safe, stable housing, Laurie never discharged an infant from the hospital until that was a certainty.

Caring for babies who are homeless began in the hospital and continued with Laurie’s generous support for Circle of Hope. When illness truncated her career, Laurie volunteered at COH and continued supporting our mission financially. She is deeply committed to helping individuals and families facing homelessness.