Community Healthlink granted $700K to upgrade mental health facility

UMass Memorial Health’s Community Healthlink division announced on Thursday it has received a cumulative $700,000 in grants from two organizations, with the funding set aside for capital renovations at the organization’s 12 Queen St. facility in Worcester. 

The facility is used as the first point of contact for behavioral health, urgent care and emergency services, per the announcement.

The funding is coming from the Fletcher Foundation of Worcester, which is providing $450,000, as well as Stoddard Charitable Trust of Worcester, which is providing $250,000.

“Across our organization, we are currently averaging 240 new requests for services each week, nearly 1,000 per month, and the number continues to increase each month,” said Community Healthlink President Tamara Lundi, in a statement. “Our 12 Queen St. facility is more than 200 years old.”

The funding will be used to expand the intake hub and replace the building’s only elevator safe for patients, as well as to update inpatient bedrooms and common areas.