About the Community Health Worker Division
A Somerville Community Health Worker (CHW) is:
- a bridge between the Somerville Community, the health and human services department, and community-based organizations.
- the person to rely on for help navigating the public benefits or services system, as well as an advocate for individual and community needs through data-driven policy development.
- The “boots on the ground,” meeting community members where they are and offering system navigation, health education, and connection to services.
- A reliable source of data collection to identify emerging health issues, determine gaps in existing services, and develop programs addressing health inequities
The direct services CHWs provide focus on reaching underserved populations who aren’t otherwise connected to care. The outreach we do is data-driven and tailored to existing health disparities. We do not work with individuals long-term; we focus on encouraging self-efficacy and sufficiency.
Contact Information
Contact Information
Current Services and projects include:
- Naloxone distribution and usage training
- Health clinics at SHC (Medical services provided by external health professionals)
- New arrival assistance and support
- Public benefits system navigation and assistance
- MassHealth
- SNAP
- Outreach and engagement
- Street outreach (sometimes with Somerville Homeless Coalition and/or Fenway Health)
- Community engagement events
Join us every other Thursday at Connexion (149 Broadway, Somerville, MA) from 11 am – 1 pm. We will provide hygiene kits, snacks, referrals to internal and external partners for the following services:
- ESL
- Housing
- SHC
- SNAP
- MassHealth
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