Center for Human Development

06/01/2026

Julian Martin, program manager at Adult Mental Health-Connecticut’s Community Integration Services Residential Program, is one of our recent Employees of the Month! He is pictured with Vice President of Connecticut Mental Health Services Amy Woods-Sawyers (left) and Kimberly Hughes, a program director for CHD’s Adult Mental Health-Connecticut.

“Julian has an amazing rapport with all of his clients and staff,” according to his nomination. Martin was promoted to his current leadership role from within CHD after demonstrating his willingness to do the difficult work that is required of a staff in residential services.

“Knowing how difficult the role is, Julian willingly stepped in, and stepped up,” the nomination continues. “He currently is leading a fairly large team of direct care staff and two assistant managers as they provide 24/7 care and support for eight high-risk and high-need individuals that are working to achieve goals and be successful, while being treated and monitored clinically and legally. Julian is typically ready and willing to take action to get the job done, whatever it may be, and does it with a smile on his face, and with the best interests of CHD, his team, and his clients at the front of his mind.”

Congratulations Julian!

05/29/2026

On May 7, the CHD Hospitality Center in Waterbury hosted a Health Fair, which brought together local partners to share valuable resources and services. The event was attended by more than 30 community members.

The 18 organizations involved included the Waterbury Health Department, McCall Behavioral Health, Brian Gibbons Homeless Outreach, Apex Community Care, Career Resources Inc., New Opportunities Inc., Oak Street Health, Lady of Love, which provides services for the unhoused, and Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, which supports victims of domestic violence.

Many thanks to those who provided food, including Park Pizza (10 pizzas!), Lady of Love (ziti and salad), and Eagles Nest Family Restaurant (pancakes).

“Be the change,” commented Hospitality Center Program Manager Krishena Godwin. Hospitality Center Volunteer Coordinator Chris Goodwin added, “Take the first step and the rest will follow.” (Both are pictured in photo 1.)

The Hospitality Center is a safe haven where people experiencing homelessness can take care of basic needs so they can move toward stability. Participants have access to laundry, showers, food, and computers, and they also receive vital social services from case managers.

05/28/2026

It’s only fitting during National Foster Care Month that we recognize Employee of the Month recipient Susan Raimer, a homefinder for CHD’s Foster Care Program for 26 years. She is pictured holding her Employee of the Month backpack with her fellow colleagues.

“Susan has outstanding organizational skills and dedication to families, especially during the holiday season, implementing and executing gift-giving in large volumes,” according to the nomination. “She nurtures a very friendly and inclusive environment within her department and throughout CHD. Her dedication and extensive experience within her program are endless. With Susan's passion for inclusivity, enlightening personality, and the ability to stay positive, focused and driven, she sets the tone for her peers.”

It was also noted that in 2023 Raimer received a Game Changer award from the Springfield Thunderbirds, an accolade to recognize someone who has made a difference in the Pioneer Valley community through their selfless acts and dedication.

05/27/2026

CHD’s Early Intervention (EI) program recently received over 100 bagged crafts and activities for EI’s older children and family members. These great gift bags were made by MassMutual employees in a volunteer effort called “Live Mutual” and dropped off by the United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV).

Pictured (L-R) are UWPV Chief of Community Engagement Alexandra Maggio, UWPV Administration and Engagement Manager Katie Wajda, and EI Program Director Erinne Gorneault.

05/26/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

CHD’s STAR Psychiatric Day Treatment program on State Street in Springfield effectively uses art therapy to complement its outpatient therapy services and mental health treatment groups. Last month, STAR was well-represented at an art show sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts (NAMI-Western Massachusetts, Inc.) at the Chicopee Public Library.

Art therapy can be valuable in helping those dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and addictions, according to several studies. This treatment approach has long been recognized as beneficial to mental health clients, especially in the decades since the term “art therapy” was first used by a...

05/25/2026

🚴‍♂️ Join the BFC ride or support the CHD Cancer House of Hope Team!! Help us reach our $𝟙,𝟘𝟘𝟘 𝕘𝕠𝕒𝕝, we are at $700!! There are only 50 rider spots left, don’t miss your chance to ride with the CHH Team and support an incredible cause.

👉 Register to ride: https://www.pledgereg.com/bfc
👉 Donate to the CHH Team: https://www.pledgereg.com/523322

Your support helps us provide FREE cancer support services, including wellness programs for those who need them most. Every dollar makes an impact! Thank you for supporting our mission!

05/22/2026

It's National Foster Care Month!

Our Foster Care program held an appreciation dinner last Wednesday at La Cucina di Hampden House in Hampden to celebrate our foster parents and their incredible contributions in the lives of foster youth.

Speaking were CHD Foster Care Program Director Rhonda Young, Vice President of Community Based Services Dr. William Dávila, and President and CEO Jim Goodwin.

“I’ve always said that there’s a special place in heaven for parents who open their home for kids in need—kids who are in the most difficult times in their lives,” said Goodwin.

To learn how you can make a difference as a CHD foster parent, visit chd.org/fosterparent.

05/21/2026

Our Disability and Elder Services division held its annual retreat at the Summit View Banquet House in Holyoke on May 12 with a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) theme that featured an interactive program led by Andre Santiago, founder and CEO of Allegro Strategies.

There were awards galore, including kudos to the clinical and nursing teams in recognition of National Mental Health Providers Day and Nurses Week. The clinical team that was honored consisted of (Photo 1, L-R) Amanda Bennett, Andrew Murphy, Kaia Hoague, Shawntea Crudup, and Jeremmy Torres. The nursing team included (Photo 2) Kathryn Roy, Nicole McGrath, Sarah Miller, and Emily Boucher.

Also receiving recognition: Shawntea Crudup and Renee Joseph (Superstar Award-Photo 3), Antonia Stewart (Helpful Person Award), Jeremmy Torres (Personal Impact for Person Supported Award), and Sarah Miller (Creative Person Award-Photo 4).

Congratulations everyone!

05/20/2026

It's National Foster Care Month!

Nearly 50 members of CHD foster families and guests enjoyed a Red Sox game at Fenway Park on May 7, thanks to the team and the Major League Baseball Commissioner’s Community Initiative, as well as MaryAnne’s Kids, a special CHD fund that provides opportunities for foster children that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

Although the Tampa Bay Rays won, 8-4, participants enjoyed a great night of baseball. “The seats were absolutely amazing and we couldn't have asked for better weather,” said foster parent Rhonda Lemoyne. “We took our 14-year-old foster son Yanziel with us, and we got lucky and caught a foul ball.”

It was Yanziel’s first major league baseball game. “He kept saying, 'I can't believe I'm here.' We had such a great time,” said Lemoyne.

Read more about MaryAnne's Kids at https://tinyurl.com/CHDmakids.

05/19/2026

Former UConn Football running back Arkeel Newsome recently led a chair exercise session at the CHD Hospitality Center in Waterbury, CT. Newsome played for both the Waterbury Knights and Waterbury Patriots youth football teams, and then for nearby Ansonia High School, where he set state rushing records.

Newsome is a prolific volunteer who teaches football skills to inner city youth and hosts an annual school supplies giveaway. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” he said, quoting Mahatma Gandhi.

The Hospitality Center is a safe haven where people experiencing homelessness can take care of basic needs so they can move toward stability. Participants have access to laundry, showers, food, and computers, and they also receive vital social services from case managers.