In mid-2020, a Boston area family relocated to the Southern Berkshires, where they found a rare affordable apartment. At the time, schools were closed to in-person learning, and the family—with five children—had no local connections or support network.
Then, through the local grapevine of volunteers working in food pantries and other settings, Anne Hutchinson of Great Barrington stepped up to help. Anne brought to the family a trove of community connections, transportation help, and a link to Africa. She was once a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, home country of the children’s mom.
Eventually, it was time to find dental care for the children: David, 17; Abigail, 15; Sara and Stella,12-year-old twins, and 9-year-old Isaac. With the family’s insurance, Great Barrington Family Dental was the best option, so Anne set up appointments.
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Awaiting them at the dental office was Dr. Taphaphene Young, a brand new CHP dentist who had just started her new job. On appointment day, there was a quick connection: Dr. Young herself is a twin (her sister is also a dentist) so Stella and Sara quickly found common ground with her. As it happened, Dr. Young is now caring for all five children.
“What kind, beautiful, astute children!” said Dr. Young, who has a personal and professional commitment to the importance of making dental care accessible to everyone.
Now, thanks to Anne’s ongoing family support, a spirited family and a new family dentist, these new neighbors from Boston are building local connections to health and wellness.