(Boston, MA) November 5, 2024 — Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, which recently launched a capital campaign, is now one big step closer to its proposed new building – a much-anticipated, state-of-the-art healthcare facility, designed to accommodate more providers and serve more patients amid soaring needs for accessible, high-quality healthcare in Boston’s
underserved communities.
Harvard Street President and CEO, Charley Murphy, JD, MPA, announced today that the Dorchesterbased health center has received its largest-ever individual contribution – a $1.5 million gift from Ban
Philanthropies to advance its campaign: Strengthening Community. Transforming Lives. “We are deeply
grateful to Brenda and Stéphane Bancel for this incredibly generous gift. It demonstrates tremendous
confidence in the work we do every day to meet the needs of our community,” said Mr. Murphy.
Bancel Philanthropies is the family giving for Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna – the Cambridge-based
biotechnology company, best known for its groundbreaking mRNA Covid-19 vaccines – and Brenda
Bancel, Photographer, Teacher of Gratitude, and President of Champions of Love Foundation. Together,
the Bancel’s have been transforming lives with impactful gifts that advance justice and healing for
communities in need. The Bancel Philanthropies tagline says it well – We view love as our most
untapped resource.
“I was very moved by the dedication of the Harvard Street staff, how deeply they care about their patients and the people in their community,” said Brenda Bancel, following a recent visit to the health center. “They’re working hard every day to uplift those who are struggling and offer healthcare with love and compassion. Stéphane and I are delighted to support Harvard Street’s new facility – a criticallyneeded health resource for Boston’s underserved communities.”
The past two years have seen dramatic increases in new patients seeking healthcare in the low-income
neighborhoods along the Blue Hill Ave corridor, in Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. These multiracial
and multiethnic communities are home to many immigrant families and others severely impacted by
food insecurity, housing instability and social factors that negatively impact health and can cause
delayed or neglected healthcare.
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, a federally-qualified health center (FQHC) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) affiliate, is committed to meeting these needs by offering quality, accessible healthcare – including women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental, vision, cancer screenings and more – along with essential support programs like its food pantry, veterans outreach center, insurance counselling, transportation vouchers and computer support.
But space has been increasingly scarce, and the Blue Hill Ave building is showing its age; the new facility
is badly needed. “Bancel Philanthropies shares Harvard Street’s belief that healthcare is a human right,”
adds Harvard Street CEO, Charley Murphy,
“Every person deserves access to high quality, culturally competent healthcare services and programs, regardless of their ability to pay.”
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center has served its community with compassion for more than 50 years, earning a reputation as a caring “healthcare home” for its patients, many of whom view their providers as “family.”
For more information on Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center and its capital campaign,
visit https://harvardstreet.org/capital-campaign/ or contact Irene Hammer, Director of Development, at
617-875-0002 or irene.hammer@harvardstreet.org.