WLP Announces Partnership with Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program
“Medicine that matters.”
That’s what Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) practices.
Since 1985, BHCHP has been unwavering in its mission to assure quality health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the greater Boston area. Their work is vital to partners at shelters across the city.
Women’s Lunch Place is honored to announce that BHCHP now offers guests free, on-site health care services for urgent care, chronic health conditions, as well as primary care services, Monday through Friday at our 67 Newbury Street location.
"We have witnessed the growing need to make integrated physical and mental healthcare available for our guests," said Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, Executive Director of Women's Lunch Place. "We are so impressed––not only with the breadth of services provided by BHCHP––but also with their specific dedication to the special needs of women experiencing poverty and homelessness."
Whether through providing psychiatrists and psychologists for counseling sessions, mammogram clinics, or informational workshops on relevant topics, BHCHP is already going above and beyond to improve the minds and bodies of WLP’s guests.
Because life on the streets––or in fear of ending up there––is an unrelenting and stressful experience, guests often suffer from debilitating mental illnesses, substance-use disorders, and long-term physical ailments. These obstacles can be magnified when a woman is frightened or distrustful of healthcare providers and other institutions which often prevents them from seeking medical help.
To put it simply, it’s complicated. Those striving to improve the health of women experiencing homelessness have a wide range of risk factors and context clues to investigate and contend with. Healthcare for the most vulnerable requires many voices, skillsets and treatments.
BHCHP has that range. Their team of over 400 staff members includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, mental health professionals, dentists, medical assistants, substance abuse counselors, social workers, community health workers and other caregivers and administrative staff.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Women’s Lunch Place to augment their already robust menu of services,” said Melinda Thomas, Associate Medical Director at BHCHP. “Our integrated approach to chronic and acute illness, substance-use disorders, and mental illness works well with the trauma-informed and welcoming approach of WLP staff. It is always great to work alongside likeminded organizations like WLP who are doing such important work. We could not be happier. “
As a federally-qualified health center, BHCHP can grant WLP guests admitting rights to hospitals when the need arises. BHCHP also assists women in obtaining health insurance through MassHealth. They work with our advocates to schedule appointments with specialists and arrange for transportation to and from the treatment centers.
Most importantly, BHCHP is now a consistent weekday presence at our shelter, building on the trust and relationships WLP has established with guests and treating them with a soft transition through their integrated physical and behavioral health model. Opportunities for care will be vast and varied.
We’re thrilled to be partnered with BHCHP, and look forward to working hand-in-hand with them to ensure the urgent and long-term physical and emotional well-being of our guests.
Health is an essential aspect of dignity, and Dignity is Everything.