Massasoit Hosts Fifth-Annual Evening of Champions on May 13

John Yazwinski to be named Massasoit’s Education and Community Champion at College’s signature fundraiser.

BROCKTON, Mass (April 14, 2026) – Massasoit Community College will host its fifth-annual Evening of Champions on Wednesday, May 13 under the Commencement Tent at the College’s Brockton campus. This signature fundraiser benefits student scholarships and recognizes “Champions” of the College and our community. This year’s honoree is John Yazwinski, the president and CEO of Father Bill’s and MainSpring.

“Each year, the Evening of Champions reminds us of the resilience of our students and community and the compassion of those who support them,” said Massasoit President Bill Mitchell. “It is an incredible chance for Massasoit to share the impact of our mission, honor the service of others, and raise money to further advance the lives of our students and their families.”

The Evening of Champions raises money for the Massasoit Community College Foundation and its mission to support Massasoit students. Gifts to the Foundation help keep students enrolled and foster engagement on campus. Recent initiatives that benefited from Foundation funding include student scholarships, emergency funds for students facing challenges off campus, student and community wellness programs like The Pantry, and Global Learning @ Massasoit’s 2026 study abroad trip to Ireland.

John Yazwinksi is being recognized for his contributions to help end and prevent homelessness in Southern Massachusetts. Father Bill’s & MainSpring is a leading provider of emergency services, shelter, supportive housing, and other resources for individuals and families in our area.

“As the housing shortage and cost of living escalates across Massachusetts, we should be grateful for the compassionate work being done by Father Bill’s & MainSpring under the leadership of John Yazwinski,” said Mitchell. “Even though John isn’t called to his line of work for the recognition, we are honored to celebrate his contributions to the welfare of our community.”

This year’s Evening of Champions will also hold a special place in Massasoit’s history – it will serve as the soft-launch of the College’s 60^th Anniversary. Beginning in September, the College will host a series of events throughout the academic year to celebrate the College’s legacy of providing an accessible, high-quality education to those seeking to advance their lives.

Since Massasoit launched its Evening of Champions in 2022, several individuals and organizations have been recognized as “Champions” for their outstanding work in our community. Previous honorees include boxing legend Marvelous Marvin Hagler (posthumous); the Boys & Girls Club of Metro South; the Brockton Area Branch NAACP and its longtime President Phyllis Ellis; Peter Forman of the South Shore Chamber and Chris Cooney of the Metro South Chamber; Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank; and Carol Bulman, CEO and Chairman of Jack Conway.

About the 2026 Evening of Champions

The event will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, on Massasoit’s Brockton Campus (1 Massasoit Blvd., Brockton, MA 02302) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Individual tickets are available for $125, and there are five sponsorship levels available. Guests and sponsors can register online now.

Questions regarding tickets and sponsorship can be directed to the Office of Advancement at advancement@massasoit.mass.edu.

About the Honoree

John Yazwinski is the President & CEO of Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS), a nonprofit organization serving individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Southern Massachusetts. His connection to this work began more than 30 years ago, when he started on the front lines as a shelter intern, gaining firsthand experience with the challenges facing people without stable housing. In 1999, Yazwinski became Executive Director of the Quincy Interfaith Sheltering Coalition (QISC) and later became President & CEO of FBMS after overseeing the merger of QISC and the MainSpring Sheltering Coalition in 2007, bringing together two long-standing community organizations to strengthen and coordinate the region’s response to homelessness.

Today, FBMS provides emergency shelter to hundreds of individuals and families each night, operates more than 800 supportive housing units, and works alongside communities to create effective, long-term solutions.

A hallmark of Yazwinski’s leadership has been guiding a strategic shift in how communities address homelessness. Over the past two decades, he has built and sustained partnerships with public and private organizations to expand housing opportunities across Southern Massachusetts. In addition to his role at FBMS, he currently or previously served on several boards, commissions, and councils. His full biography is on the Evening of Champions webpage.