Lowell was looking for a mental health and substance abuse center

Behavioral health provider Vinfen has identified an office park building on Technology Drive in Lowell as a space for the Restorative Justice Center. The center would divert people with mental health and substance use disorders from an incarceration and hospital model to residential behavioral health care. The organization’s proposed plan will be released prior to the public hearing before the Planning Board on December 2, 2024 at City Hall. (Melanie Gilbert/Lowell Sun)

Nonprofit Vinfen’s Community Behavioral Health Center is located at 391 Varnum Ave. in the Pawtucketville neighborhood of Lowell. (Melanie Gilbert/Lowell Sun)

Jean Yang, president and CEO of Vinfen, in one of the newly renovated youth rooms at the Community Behavioral Health Center on Varnum Avenue next to Lowell General Hospital. In addition to urgent and routine outpatient support services, the center will provide crisis intervention support to youth and adults. (Melanie Gilbert/Lowell Sun)

Vinfen hosted an open house on October 16, 2024 for Safe Haven, an accessible shelter for people experiencing chronic homelessness. The program began in September with support for seven residents. (Courtesy of Vinfen)