Tapestry Health: Community Health for Every Body
By Lisa Andrews, Tapestry Health
Published in Northampton Living | September 2026
For more than 50 years, Tapestry Health has provided inclusive, community-based healthcare and support services throughout western Massachusetts. Today, the nonprofit serves approximately 20,000 people annually through reproductive healthcare, harm reduction, and community health programs, as well as a Mobile Health Unit that brings care directly into communities.
Tapestry’s mission is to provide vital, effective and inclusive community health services and resources for optimal well-being and vibrant communities. Guided by a vision of a future where health and wellness are accessible to all and free from social and structural inequities, Tapestry expands access to high-quality care for people who have historically been underserved by traditional healthcare systems.
As access to essential healthcare services becomes increasingly restricted in many parts of the country, Tapestry continues to provide reproductive health education, HIV and STI testing and treatment, mifepristone and misoprostol, gender-affirming healthcare, perimenopause support, and innovative drug-checking programs that expand access to care and improve health outcomes across the region.
The impact is significant. In 2025, Tapestry provided more than 48,000 client encounters, conducted more than 18,000 STI tests, and safely disposed of nearly 1.5 million syringes through its programs. These services improve individual health outcomes, contribute to stronger public health across the region, and support people in making informed decisions that reduce harm.
While 77% of Tapestry’s operating budget is supported through state contracts, public funding does not cover the full cost of meeting community needs. The remaining 23% must be raised through philanthropy, grants, events and community support. Those investments help bridge the gap between public funding and community need, allowing Tapestry to respond to emerging challenges, expand access to care, and ensure essential services remain available throughout western Massachusetts.
In honor of Overdose Awareness Month, on August 27, Tapestry will join community partners for Northampton’s International Overdose Awareness Day vigil honoring lives lost to overdoses and raising awareness about prevention, treatment, recovery and support.
On Sunday, Sept. 27, Tapestry will host its second annual Walk for Every Body in downtown Northampton. The family-friendly event features a community walk and block party with local organizations, entertainment and activities for all ages. The Walk for Every Body is an opportunity to help ensure that essential healthcare, harm reduction and community health services remain available throughout western Massachusetts. Whether you register, create a fundraising team, sponsor the event, or volunteer, your support helps Tapestry provide life-changing services to thousands of people each year.
Join us on September 27 and be part of a movement that believes everyone deserves access to the care and support they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. Register or volunteer for the Walk for Every Body, or sponsor or contribute to the event to help ensure that life-changing services remain available to individuals and families across western Massachusetts.
For more information about Tapestry Health or to register for the Walk for Every Body, visit p2p.onecause.com/tapestrywalk2026.
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