FamilyAid Boston Names Larry Seamans as Next President
The Board of Directors of FamilyAid Boston, the leading provider of solutions to family homelessness in Greater Boston, has named Larry Seamans as the organization’s new President. Seamans will officially join FamilyAid Boston on July 16, replacing Richard E. Ring, who is retiring after a nearly 50 year career in homeless services.
Seamans has served as Pine Street Inn’s Chief Program Officer since 2013, overseeing all programs including street outreach, emergency shelter, housing placement, and supportive housing programs. During his 5 year tenure, Seamans facilitated and implemented a strategic plan that dramatically expanded Pine Street’s housing strategies.
In addition to his work with Pine Street Inn, Seamans sits on the leadership committee for the City of Boston’s Action Plan to End Veteran and Chronic Homelessness. He also leads a city-wide committee to prevent homelessness through coordinated shelter triage.
Seamans brings 35 years of experience to FamilyAid Boston, including executive and management positions with YWCA Boston, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Viacom, and Procter & Gamble. Seamans has also served on the boards of The Samaritans, the Dana Farber Community Health Improvement Advisory Group, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Homeless Youth Commission; and task forces for GLAD and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State and a master’s degree from Syracuse University.
“We are thrilled that Larry Seamans will assume the role of President at FamilyAid Boston,” said Kip Sanford, Board Chairman. “We believe we have found the ideal person to lead the organization going forward, and we are confident that Larry will help us grow our programs and reach more families facing homelessness.”
“Despite the tremendous progress made in reducing the number of families living in hotels, homelessness remains the most pervasive social issue facing the working poor in our city and Commonwealth,” said Seamans, citing recent national statistics placing Massachusetts as the state with the fourth highest family homeless rate in the country. “I am honored to be joining FamilyAid Boston at this critical time when even more innovative and pragmatic solutions – including greater collaboration between the business, philanthropic and human service sectors – are urgently needed to further prevent and ultimately end family homelessness.”
About FamilyAid Boston
FamilyAid Boston is the longest-serving provider of solutions to combat family homelessness in Greater Boston, working to empower parents and caregivers facing homelessness to secure and sustain housing and build foundations for their children’s futures.
Founded as the Travelers Aid Society in 1916, FamilyAid Boston’s original mission was to assist immigrants in establishing housing, jobs, and educational opportunities in Boston. As the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing in Massachusetts – particularly in Boston –left thousands of families homeless and thousands more at risk of losing housing, FamilyAid Boston began to focus its efforts on providing homelessness prevention for families at risk of losing their homes, shelter for families who become homeless, affordable housing, and support services to help families sustain housing. Their staff works in partnership with parents to develop realistic, effective solutions that build on families’ individual strengths and address their unique challenges. Currently, FamilyAid Boston provides homelessness prevention, shelter, housing, and critical services to approximately 280 families on any given night.
