LYNN ― Lynn Community Health Center (LHCH) has received a grant for more than $500,000 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) made the announcement Wednesday, and said that the $524,964 will be used to directly help vulnerable populations in the city and provide medication-assisted treatment for recently-released incarcerated and homeless individuals.
“Being able to help formerly-incarcerated or unhoused individuals reintegrate into society as valued, productive citizens is essential to an economy and society that leaves nobody behind,” Moulton said. “The pandemic has only exacerbated mental-health and substance-abuse issues, and I am glad to see Lynn Community Health receive this funding to help the most vulnerable members of our community.”
LCHC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kiame Mahaniah said that the grant will help the organization aid community members and families in safely rebuilding their lives.
“Over the last two decades, in Lynn, a coalition of government and social services agencies has done remarkably good work in substance use disorder prevention, screening and treatment,” Mahaniah said. “One of the last remaining pieces, to provide much needed wraparound services to those recently incarcerated, is a blessing. Those recently incarcerated are at the highest risk of death from overdose of any group.”