Community Spotlight: The People’s Medicine Project
Meet our March 2026 Community Spotlight organization: The People’s Medicine Project
When was your organization founded and for what purpose was it established?
People’s Medicine Project was founded in 2013 by local herbalist Leslie Chaison, who saw what was happening in Greenfield during the height of the Opioid epidemic, and wanted to help people who were struggling by creating pathways of access for herbal support. This began with a community garden and free drop-in herbal clinic at the Recover Project in Greenfield. Over the years, the demand for holistic support was increasing, and the herbal clinic grew into a larger scale free healing clinic offering a variety of modalities including Massage, Acupuncture, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Reiki, Homeopathy, Nutrition, and more.
Learn more about their guiding principles
How would you describe the impact of the work your organization does?
The people who come to our clinics repeatedly share that they are deeply struggling with complex health issues and consistently feel let down by the healthcare options available to them. While our clinics are not meant to replace primary care, they are a place where participants know they will be heard, respected, and offered a safe space to connect with their bodies and receive care that truly supports their healing. We believe that all people have the right to heal, and that access to holistic healing modalities should not be reserved for those with financial means and privilege. Through our clinic sessions and herbal medicine distributions, we provide support to hundreds of people throughout the Pioneer Valley each year, all of whom face significant obstacles to accessing high-quality healthcare.
Learn more about the programs they offer
What program or project are you most excited about developing/expanding over the coming years, and why?
We are excited to make our healing clinics even more accessible by bringing them directly to the sites where many community members are already receiving services. We know that transportation and scheduling are often significant obstacles, so we are working to make our clinics more mobile and plan to host additional on-site clinics in order to reach more people seeking our services.
Greenfield Healing Clinic (GHC)
What is one simple thing an individual can do to make a difference in the lives of the folks you serve?
Understand that healing does not look the same for each person, and there is no one right or superior way to treat or heal. Every person has the right to bodily autonomy and ultimately should get to make the decision for their body and healthcare that feels right to them. This may not look the same across cultures, communities, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, or just personal beliefs around health. Health and bodily autonomy is a human right.
Learn more about Health Justice?
How can folks get involved and/or support your work?
Throughout the month of March (2026), people can VOTE for the People’s Medicine Project through the River Valley Co-op’s Change for Change Program. If you are a co-op member, you can follow the link provided in your newsletters, or visit our website for more information.
