Community Healthlink Receives $208,000 for the Shower Program

Max Sarro • Aug 03, 2023

This past week our Shower Program, located within the Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project (HOAP) clinic site, received funding from the City of Worcester to update our shower and bathroom. The Shower Program provides access to showers, shower supplies, hygiene support, food, and clean clothes. This program helps meet the immediate need of those experiencing homelessness in Worcester whole also improving their access to mental health, recovery, and/or permanent housing assistance.


“Our Shower Program meets the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness in Worcester while improving access to mental health, recovery, and/or permanent housing assistance,” said Donna Pierce-Judkins, Senior Director, Intensive Case Management, and manager of the Community Healthlink’s Shower Program. “Also, the timing for the funding is perfect, as we have just completed upgrading and modernizing the shower and bathroom areas.”


“It’s the one time a week I feel like a normal human being,” one participant said.


The grant will cover various activities, including:

• Staffing: Caregivers to run the day-to-day operation and maintain the facilities.

• Laundry and Linen Services: Providing clean clothing, towels, and bedding, contributing to participants' overall comfort and cleanliness.

• Food and Water: Offering nourishing meals and clean drinking water to program participants, addressing their immediate nutritional needs.

• Supplies: Distributing hygiene kits containing essential items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and personal care products.


Thank you to the City of Worcester for providing the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and the State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds for making it all possible. 

Community Healthlink Reopens Transitional Support Service Program

By David Sweeney • 01 Apr, 2024
UMass Memorial Health – Community Healthlink announced today that it has reopened its Transitional Support Services (TSS) program. TSS is a 24/7 substance use disorder recovery program.

Celebrating 40 Years of Service: Dr. Richard Hummel Honored for a Lifetime of Dedication

By Max Sarro • 06 Oct, 2023
On Thursday, October 5, Worcester Mayor Joe Petty awarded the Key to the City to Dr. Richard Hummel in recognition of his four decades of service to Community Healthlink and the Worcester community. Dr. Hummel is a clinical psychologist known for his tireless commitment to his work and humanitarian efforts that have touched the lives of countless individuals.  His journey began in 1983 when he joined the Worcester Youth Guidance Center (WYG) as a clinician. Over the years, he became an integral part of the team, witnessing the merger of WYG with CHL and contributing significantly to community-based programs, particularly at Plumley Village. Residents there benefited from his expertise in group therapy, tutoring, and art and music therapy. His dedication extended to the psychology training program at CHL, where Dr. Hummel became a respected figure, offering seminars on topics like attachment, domestic violence, childhood abuse, and neglect. Currently, he works in the Juvenile Court Clinic (ICC) and the Together for Kids (TFK) program, where he plays a crucial role in helping at-risk children find a path to success, preventing school expulsions, and assessing risk in youth displaying dangerous behaviors. Not only does Dr. Hummel excel in his professional roles, but he also extends his expertise to private practice, providing consultation, assessment, and staff training for various agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and court-involved individuals. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Hummel's participates in pick-up soccer games that unite diverse immigrant groups, fostering inclusivity and cultural exchange. Additionally, he volunteers his musical talents by playing the trumpet and drums at his church every Sunday. Dr. Hummel and his wife, Betsy, are deeply involved with the Worcester Alliance for Refugee Ministry (WARM). During the pandemic, he organized drum circles for refugee men and provided support to refugee youth through a learning pod at WARM. He also coordinated soccer and volleyball games at WARM picnics, further enriching the lives of Worcester's refugee community.
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