Community Matters Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic for Children provides high-quality, culturally competent, and family-oriented mental health services to individuals and families, with a focus on reducing stigma and addressing disparities in underserved — particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color — communities.
Guided by our CARES values — Compassion, Advocacy, Resilience, Equity and Support — we empower clients to view their mental health journey as an opportunity for healing, growth and self-discovery beyond the diagnosis.
Community Matters is expanding with a new Hartford location opening Oct. 22, 2025, designed to increase access for underserved families.
What have been the organization’s significant accomplishments in the past year?
This year, our team remained focused on advancing our CARES mission by strengthening community partnerships and expanding access to mental health awareness. We partnered with the Town of East Hartford to host a powerful mental health panel that brought together community providers to address stigma and connect families with resources.
In addition, we launched community engagement events such as Mental Health Bingo, which created safe spaces for education and dialogue. While our second location in Hartford is anticipated to open soon, these initiatives demonstrate our ongoing commitment to advocacy, equity, and community-centered mental health care.
What are some major challenges the organization had to overcome?
Meeting the rising demand for services during workforce shortages tested our resilience. Guided by CARES, we expanded partnerships, trained future clinicians, and invested in staff support.
By prioritizing equity and compassion, we overcame barriers and ensured families continued to receive consistent, quality care in moments when they needed us most.
What’s the organization’s next major goal?
Our next major goal is the launch of our new Hartford location, which will expand access to culturally competent care for underserved communities. Guided by our CARES mission, we aim to strengthen partnerships, reduce disparities and continue building innovative programs that support families on their journey of healing and growth.