Dear Friends,

The pandemic unmasked long-standing healthcare, social injustice and economic inequities that have existed for Black people in the U.S for centuries. Lack of access to medical treatment, quality health insurance, healthy food, housing, jobs and transportation all indirectly contributed to heightened vulnerability. 

The Whittier Street Health Center continues to do our part. Thank you for your support.

With gratitude,

Frederica M. Williams

Whittier Expands Behavioral Health Services

Whittier continues reaching out to “meet people where they are." Services through our Mobile Health Vans were provided on neighborhood streets across the city to bring primary care, behavioral health and linkage to social services to public housing residents, Boston Public School students, the homeless, and those fighting substance abuse and those battling mental illness. These are deep, complex, and long-standing issues in our communities and are often linked with issues of mental health. We can’t address them alone, but with support from our partners, we can make a difference.

With increased demand for Behavioral Health services, during the pandemic, we have expanded access to mental wellness and substance abuse services. This includes the Early Support and Recovery group, a recurring drop-in group, open to both new and returning patients who are seeking recovery services. This group was established to increase access to substance abuse services and eliminate barriers to care.

Violence is an epidemic in American cities, including in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood where more than half of the city’s fatal and non-fatal shootings occur. Young victims who have experienced trauma are at high-risk for substance abuse, depression and risky behaviors. Through our Mobile Health Van our Behavioral Health team continues to provide trauma response and links to mental health resources for youth at schools and other organizations across the city. As the clinical provider for the Roxbury Neighborhood Trauma Team (NTT) in partnership with Madison Park Community Development Corp (MPCDC), Whittier continues to provide outreach, education and clinical services in response to community violence or for anyone seeking mental health services for other issues.  

Whittier Bringing Service to Others In Need Across the City

In addition to high quality health care many of our patients and residents in communities of color look to Whittier to provide social services and a social network. The isolation of our populations during the pandemic created a need for a safe place to gather. Whittier’s 2nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Day of Service in January highlighted the urgent need to educate, empower and engage our patients and community residents in ways to bring about lifestyle changes that promote good health. More than 150 families braved the cold and pandemic precautions to attend the event. Whittier staff distributed warm coats, hats and gloves, food and health information to families in need in the spirit of service as exemplified by Martin Luther King, Jr.  

As the number of COVID-related illnesses and deaths decline, our Mobile Van continued to support the vaccination of adults and children in Boston neighborhoods, especially in areas that continue to have the lowest vaccination rates in the state. At the invitation of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Whittier staff participated in the Winter Festival on the Boston Common, and offered vaccines to children ages 5 and up and booster shots to ages 12 and up. More than 5,000 people attended the free event which featured music, giveaways, various winter attractions, treats and crafts. 

Recent data show Black Americans made up 42% of the 37, 968 new HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas. Whittier staff hosted a welcoming event in February recognizing National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day for Whittier HIV patients and walk-ins. The event included HIV counseling and testing, STD/STI screenings and HIV/AIDS information. We hosted a similar event in March, the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day as part of our ongoing outreach programs to educate, engage and empower vulnerable and hard to reach residents, increasing opportunities for residents to link to primary care and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.  

We shared our year of significant progress in helping our patients and partners better understand the impacts of health inequity, the social determinants of health and systemic racism at our annual Black History Month celebration and 2022 Annual Meeting. The theme, Black Health and Wellness: We Must Achieve Health Equity saw our guest speaker, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, MD, MPH, Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, share important data connecting the deep-rooted systemic racial and ethnic disparities of the past to continuing gaps in black health and wellness today.

For example, the record number of COVID-related deaths for Black adults and the lowest COVID vaccination rates for children ages 5-11 in the distressed neighborhoods of Dorchester and Mattapan, can be traced back to systemic racism dating back hundreds of years.

“Change is underway,” said Dr. Ojikutu. Public health officials, with input from health centers like Whittier, are re-examining the way care is delivered and health care policies are made. Dr. Ojikutu said, “We’re working hand-in-hand with health centers like Whittier to provide care, share resource and build trust with Black communities that have faced institutional racism in health care and beyond.” 

The Whittier "Toast" Fundraising Event Returns! 

I am pleased to announce The Whittier Roast returns on Tuesday, April 19! The event will be held as an “in person” event for the first time since the pandemic began almost two years ago, at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston. Eversource Energy President and CEO Joseph R. Nolan, Jr., will be honored at our 24^th annual gala. Whittier's 2022 Toast to Joseph Nolan, Jr.,continues the health center’s long tradition of shining a light on Boston’s standout business leaders and philanthropists while raising over $1 million to provide high-quality medical care and social services to patients regardless of their ability to pay.

WCVB Channel 5 “CityLine” host and executive producer Karen Holmes Ward will emcee the event, which will feature live entertainment by the Dave Macklin Band. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Please consider sponsoring this event to support our services and programs for our most vulnerable populations. For more information  

All of this work above is the result of our commitment to provide health equity for everyone in need. We care for every patient who walks through our doors, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Each year we provide free care to 27% of our adult patients and 100% of our social services to address the social determinants of health, are free of charge. With the support of generous donors and friends, no one is denied care at Whittier Street Health Center! 

I am thankful to have a dedicated team doing the work that keeps our doors open and provides life-saving care for more than 35,000 patients and 175,000 visits. We couldn’t do it without your support. Thank you.

With Gratitude,

Frederica M. Williams

President & CEO