HOLISTIC CARE & HEALING

The BCRHHR embodies the mission of Boston Medical Center (BMC) to provide "consistently excellent and accessible health services to all in need of care, regardless of status and ability to pay." We provide multidisciplinary services that include primary health care for adults and children, mental health services for adults and children, referrals for medical specialties and neuropsychiatric evaluation, dental evaluations, legal services, social services, English classes, and vocational rehabilitation. We perform medical and psychological affidavits documenting the effects of torture and persecution for those seeking asylum. We also offer donated clothing and access to the BMC Food Pantry. We strive to be a healing community where torture survivors can connect, feel safe and renew their lives.

Our care encompasses being responsive to patients' medical and psychological needs, including help to overcome posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and the physical effects of torture. Our goals include providing ongoing primary care services for individuals and their families. Our work responds to families' medical and social needs, as well as listening to their stories. . . some of which are being told for the first time. As our patients feel better, learn English, attain asylum, go to work, are reunited with their families, are accepted to university, and extend kindness to others after being brutally tortured, we witness the victory of the human spirit over despair and brutality. This inspires our work.