37th Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference: Beyond Barriers, Collaboration, Compassion, and Community

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On December 11, 2025, more than 200 attendees gathered at the Melville Marriott for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless’ annual Keys for the Homeless Conference. This year’s theme, Beyond Barriers: Collaboration, Compassion, and Community, set the tone for a meaningful day focused on connection, learning, and collective impact.

Honoring Leaders and Students Making a Difference

This year, the Coalition proudly honored four local high school students who have experienced homelessness with the Helen Martin Scholarship, supporting their continued education in college or a trade program.

The Leonard I. Saltzman Unsung Hero Award was presented to Dr. Richard Zito, a driving force behind LICH’s street medicine program. Dr. Zito ensures that individuals experiencing homelessness receive essential medical care while being treated with compassion, dignity, and trust.

Paule Pachter, LMSW, former CEO of Long Island Cares, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. For decades, Paule has worked tirelessly to fight food insecurity and expand the reach of Long Island Cares to serve more families each year.

The Marge Rogatz Humanitarian Award was presented to Cheryl Keshner in recognition of her decades of service to individuals experiencing homelessness, migrant communities, and the Long Island community as a whole.

Learning Through Collaboration and Workshops

Conference attendees had the opportunity to choose from three different workshops across three sessions. These workshops covered topics such as trauma informed care, building community awareness, homelessness best practices, and more.

Led by experts in their respective fields, the workshops provided valuable tools to better support the people we serve. They also offered meaningful opportunities for networking and collaboration with professionals from across Long Island and the five boroughs.

Keynote Address by Mark Horvath

This year’s keynote speaker was Mark Horvath, founder of Invisible People. Mark spoke about breaking down stigma surrounding homelessness in the digital age.

Through interviewing individuals who are currently or formerly unhoused, Mark uses storytelling and social media to amplify voices that are often left out of important conversations. His work highlights the realities of homelessness while changing hearts and minds through authentic, human centered storytelling.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Coalition extends our sincere thanks to our incredible sponsors. Their support makes it possible to host events like the Keys for the Homeless Conference and share critical information with our community.