Lowell Community Health Center to Launch Community Care in Reach Mobile Health Unit to Bring Lifesaving Services Directly Lowell Residents

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) is expanding its reach beyond clinic walls with the launch of the Community Care in Reach Mobile Health Unit, bringing essential health services directly to those who need them most. This initiative is made possible through the generosity of the Robert K. Kraft Family Foundation and in collaboration with The Kraft Center for Community Health at Mass General Brigham, reinforcing a shared commitment to addressing community health needs through innovative, on-the-ground solutions.

The Community Care in Reach Mobile Health Unit, which is expected to be operational by Spring 2025, will offer a variety of health services, including access to Narcan, condoms, test strips, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and other safety supplies. The Community Care in Reach Mobile Health Unit will offer health education, help individuals connect to detox programs and community resources, and offer referrals for primary care, substance use treatment, and behavioral health services.  

The Kraft Center for Community Health has been instrumental in developing and expanding the Community Care in Reach® model, which increases access to essential health services and clinical care community settings outside of the traditional hospital setting.

“The Care in Reach Mobile Health Unit represents an important step in our mission to make healthcare more accessible to everyone in our community,” said Susan West Levine, CEO of Lowell CHC. “By bringing essential services directly to individuals who face barriers to care, particularly those living with substance use disorder, we are not only addressing immediate health needs but also building connections to long-term support and treatment.”

“At Mass General Brigham, we believe that healthcare should never be out of reach,” said Elsie Taveras, MD, MPH, Chief Community Health and Health Equity Officer at Mass General Brigham and Executive Director of the Kraft Center for Community Health. “This innovative approach breaks down the barriers that too often prevent people from accessing life-saving treatment. By meeting people where they live and work, we’re not only improving health outcomes but also empowering individuals to take control of their wellbeing.

The Community Care in Reach Mobile Health Unit’s operational funding is provided by the MA Department of Public Health – Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, to provide substance use disorder services to more people in more locations.

The Community Care in Reach Mobile Health Unit will be deployed throughout Greater Lowell, bringing essential health services directly to individuals and connecting them to the care and resources they need.

About Lowell Community Health Center

Founded in 1970, Lowell Community Health Center is the healthcare home of choice for more than 38,000 individuals in Greater Lowell. At the heart of our mission lies a strong commitment to offering comprehensive and accessible healthcare services, ensuring that every patient receives the care they need, regardless of financial status.

About The Kraft Center for Community Health The Kraft Center for Community Health at Mass General Brigham was established with the mission to expand access to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare for medically underserved patients and communities. Founded in 2011 through a generous donation by Robert Kraft, the Center aims to catalyze innovative solutions to real world community health problems, execute solutions locally, and make them scalable and ready to spread nationally to improve health outcomes for disadvantaged populations nationally. The Kraft Center is an innovation leader across the Mass General Brigham system, specializing in programmatic design and implementation to improve community health. For more information, please visit kraftcommunityhealth.org.