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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

The Family Van

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The Family Van

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The Family Van is a mobile health clinic, providing free health screenings, referrals and counseling to Boston's underserved communities. Nearly half were men.

We serve communities with disproportionately high rates of preventable diseases and hospitalization, and our convenient curbside care provides a bridge into the health and social services. Family Van staff include health educators, a registered dietician, and counselors, who, in addition to health screenings, offer oral and written information to encourage clients to improve their health and follow healthy lifestyles. Education on risks, warning signs, nutrition, and self-care is vital to our clients, and we are often their sole provider of information. Clients receive the support and resources they need to improve their health and well-being in an atmosphere of warmth and caring. The Van is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and collaborates with a wide network of partners, volunteers, and supporters. A pioneer in the growing trend of mobile health care, the Family Van has been serving Boston residents since 1992. The Family Van staff also provide medical and allied health students with firsthand, practical experience to train the next generation of health care providers. The Family Van is on the road each week, making stops in six regular locations. In 2010, we served 2,322 clients and 1,375 new clients. In addition:

87% were minorities, and 37% did not speak English as their primary language. Only 24% worked full time; 31% were unemployed, 22% were retired, 16% worked part-time, and 6% were on disability. Clients included both uninsured (8%) and insured (66% public, 26% private) individuals.

10/07/2026

Healthy eating isn’t just about knowing what’s good for you. It’s also about having access to healthy, affordable food and the resources to make it work for your family.

That’s what made the East Boston Social Centers’ Healthy Family Fun Day such a meaningful event to be part of this past weekend.

Families came together to learn about nutrition, eating on a budget, food access, healthy foods from diverse cultures, and fun ways to stay active together.

Our team was there, too, providing health screenings and giving families a chance to check their blood pressure and blood sugar. Because what we eat, how active we are, and our overall health are all connected. Knowing your numbers can help you better understand your health and take steps to care for yourself.

We’re grateful to the East Boston Social Centers for bringing the community together and creating a space where families could connect, learn, and have fun.

P.S. This event comes at an important time for families in Boston. The Bay State Banner newspaper recently reported on growing concerns around food access and the challenges families are facing. It’s another reminder of why community connections and accessible resources matter.

Read the article: https://npaper-wehaa.com/baystatebanner/2026/10/01/ #?article=4426903

10/06/2026

In 2025, as community needs continued to grow, support from partners like Sanofi US helped The Family Van do more.

Through Sanofi’s Healthy Futures Solution Fund, we received support to address health needs in our neighborhoods. That investment helped us expand to additional community sites and reach more neighbors, growing our reach and impact by 33%. In 2025, we served 1,778 clients and provided 5,600 preventive health screenings.

➡️ Those screenings helped uncover health concerns that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Nearly 1 in 3 people screened had signs of a chronic health condition they didn’t know they had.

The impact of Sanofi’s investment extended beyond The Family Van. Through the Fund, 12 other Massachusetts nonprofits also received support to address local needs, with programs and services reaching more than 11,000 people across the state. In the neighborhoods we serve, that included organizations such as Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, St. Mary's Center for Women and Children, and Hope & Comfort, each bringing different services and care to the people who live there.

Together, these investments show what’s possible when organizations rooted in their communities have the support to lead. And for The Family Van, the partnership goes beyond funding. We’re especially grateful to Meredith Tierney, Diana Blankman Roberts, and the Sanofi team for creating opportunities for us to share our perspective, learn from one another, and support the next generation of health leaders.

We’re grateful to Sanofi for investing in The Family Van and other organizations working in our communities. Your support helps us reach more neighbors and connect them to the care, resources, and support they need. ❤️

10/05/2026

What a great day at Get Your Rear in Gear – Boston! This weekend, our team joined the Colon Cancer Coalition at Carson Beach for the annual 5K and connected with people about colorectal cancer screening.

We heard from people who had seen the impact of colon cancer on someone they love, but had still put off getting screened. Sometimes it’s fear. Sometimes life gets in the way. And sometimes screening is simply easy to put off.

Thanks to the Colon Cancer Coalition, we were able to provide TopazFIT kits, a simple at-home test that checks for hidden blood in a stool sample, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer. The test provides results directly at home, giving people a simple, private way to take the next step.

We were also glad to be alongside Mark W. Kennedy, MBA from the Boston Public Health Commission and the team from Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, community partners who are helping bring education and resources to the same neighborhoods we serve. ❤️

09/30/2026

Colon cancer screening can save lives. ❤️ But for many of our neighbors, getting screened isn’t always easy.

Some of our Boston neighbors aren’t sure where to start.
✅ Some have questions.
✅ And some may be uncomfortable or even afraid to talk about colon cancer.

We know these conversations aren’t always easy.

This September, with the help of the Colon Cancer Coalition, we’re reminding our neighbors 45 and older: it’s time to talk about colon cancer!

You may see our message rolling through the neighborhoods we serve on Boston buses. Our ads invite neighbors to stop by our mobile clinic for free information about colon cancer risks and screening.

Because the first step can simply be starting a conversation about colon cancer, in the language you’re most comfortable speaking. ❤️

09/29/2026

Last week at the 2nd Annual Thriving Together Summit, emerging health leaders and community partners came together to talk about what our communities need and how we can work together to improve health and access to care across Greater Boston.

Rainelle Walker-White, Co-Director of The Family Van, joined the “Care Across the Continuum: Partnerships for Health” panel, sharing what we’ve learned from decades of working alongside our neighbors: listen, build trust, and create spaces where people feel welcome and supported.

The Family Van plays an important role in connecting people with health care and community resources, and strong partnerships across community organizations and health systems help make those connections possible.

Our favorite part of the day? Seeing Morgan Ellis, one of our 2024 summer interns, now working at Boston Medical Center, presenting at the summit. A pretty great full-circle moment. ❤️

Thank you to Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center (BMC) for bringing emerging leaders and community partners together.

09/25/2026

Today is Maria Encinosa’s last day on The Family Van. ❤️

For the past month, Maria, a Harvard Medical School clerk, has spent time on the van getting to know our neighbors, listening to their stories, and experiencing community-based care firsthand.

During her time with us, Maria reflected on the unique role Community Health Workers play in care:

❤️ “So much of what The Family Van offers is building relationships with people,” she shared. “Community Health Workers understand where people come from, have lived experiences, speak the language, and come from the communities they’re serving.”

She saw how much that relationship matters. Community Health Workers have the time to listen, explain, answer questions, and build trust with the people they serve.

And over the past month, Maria became part of those relationships, too. Some of our favorite moments were watching her have deep, meaningful conversations with our neighbors, then seeing someone give her a hug before they left. 🥹

Maria, thank you for bringing your curiosity, kindness, and openness to The Family Van. We’re so glad you spent this month with us, and we’ll miss you on the van! ❤️

09/23/2026

Yesterday, we welcomed the Global Brain Care Coalition team to The Family Van to see our work in action!

Whether parked in Nubian Square or tabling at the Shaw-Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library, we shared how we’re using the Brain Care Score to start conversations about brain health and help people think about simple, everyday changes they can make to support their well-being.

It was a chance to talk about what we’re learning, hear from our partners, and think together about how a tool like this can work in our Boston neighborhoods!❤️

09/19/2026

A beautiful day celebrating the Boston Kroc Center’s 15th Anniversary! 🎉 We were so happy to be part of this special milestone.

Like The Family Van, the Boston Kroc Center is committed to creating a welcoming space where people can connect, feel supported, and find the resources they need to thrive. ❤️ Since opening its doors in Upham’s Corner in 2011, the Kroc has been doing just that.

We’re grateful to be part of the Kroc community, parking next to the Center on the first Friday of every month to connect with neighbors and provide free health screenings and support right in the community.

Happy 15th anniversary, Boston Kroc Center! Here’s to everything you’ve built and all the community still to come. 🎉

09/18/2026

Ending the week on a HIGH note! 🎉

This week, our team trained more than 25 volunteers, including 15 Harvard Medical School students, who are ready to join us at special events and help us connect with even more neighbors across Boston.

Let’s go! 🙌

09/17/2026

Today, part of our team was at our regular stop in Dorchester, while the rest of our crew brought The Family Van to Keystone Apartments, home to more than 300 seniors!

➡️ Why bring a mobile clinic to a senior community?

Because for some residents, even coming out of their room can be a challenge. Getting to a hospital or health center can feel even further out of reach. Bringing care directly to their building makes it easier to get screened, ask questions, and have someone take the time to listen.

We’re grateful to the Keystone community for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to bring health screenings, education, and conversation directly to residents. 🥰

Address

200 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA
02115

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.familyvan.org/donate/

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