Welcome

At CHD, we believe in strong families, healthy communities, and human potential.

In this section

Our Mission

The Center for Human Development (CHD) provides a broad range of high-quality, community-oriented human services dedicated to promoting, enhancing, and protecting the dignity and welfare of people in need.

Celebrating Differences

At CHD, inclusion isn’t just a policy – it’s a daily practice.

Multicultural, multilingual, and fluent in sign language, CHD is a reflection of those we serve.

Our non-discrimination policies include sexual orientation and gender identity. Our diversity training includes candid discussions of race, gender, ethnicity, and LGBTQ+ issues.

We celebrate diversity in employees, participants, and ourselves and are always working to enhance our cultural awareness.

Our Impact

Our 2020 Impact Report is a data- and story-driven account of our organization’s life-changing work with adults, children and families across western Massachusetts and Connecticut. Read more below.

Our Story

In the 1960s, community services were hard to come by. People struggling with hunger, homelessness, or simple healthcare needs easily got lost in the system. Believing there had to be a better way, three young activists — Bill Seretta, Kathy Townsend, and Art Bertrand — founded CHD. Instead of sending people away for help, they brought life-saving services into homes, schools, workplaces, and community centers. This simple change was a revolution. Today, community-based care is the heart and soul of our mission. We offer 80+ programs and services that help people tackle life's toughest problems. We face setbacks together and we always find solutions. For nearly 50 years, we’ve been fighting for families throughout Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. We give it our all, every day, because everyone deserves a chance to write their own life story.

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