Staff at Community Healthlink in Central Massachusetts are decrying the planned closure of the health agency, saying it could cost hundreds of people their jobs and compromise much-needed care for vulnerable residents.
Community Healthlink, an affiliate of UMass Memorial Health, oversees a variety of programs that help people with substance abuse, homelessness and mental health challenges. In a recent memo, the agency’s president, Gordon Benson, told employees the provider is preparing to shut down and transfer its programs to two other social service organizations.
The move comes as Community Healthlink has dealt with financial challenges, cutting several programs across Worcester County in recent years. In 2025, UMass Memorial Health president and CEO Eric Dickson said the agency recorded $49 million in losses over the previous three fiscal years…