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Community Resources in Greater Boston
Below are organizations that can help residents of Greater Boston in the following areas:
- Housing and fuel assistance
- First-time homeowner assistance
- Food pantries
- Immigration and legal services
- Family services
- Child care
- Parenting resources
- Mental health resources
- Suicide prevention
- Counseling, Therapy & Substance Abuse
Housing and Fuel Assistance
Mass Department of Housing and Community Development
100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA
(617) 573-1100
Provides shelter, other temporary housing, rental assistance, housing vouchers, subsidized housing, help applying for public housing, home inspections and fuel assistance.
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-housing-and-livable-communities
ABCD JFK Family Service Center
23A Moulton Street, Charlestown, MA
(617) 241-8866
Provides home heating of utility financial assistance, help with housing vouchers or subsidized housing, help applying for public housing, help applying for food stamps
CAAS Homelessness Prevention Program
66-70 Union Square, Somerville, MA
(617) 623-1392
Provides help with affordable housing, home heating or utility assistance, help with housing vouchers or subsidized housing, applying for public housing
https://www.caasomerville.org/
ABCD Housing and Homelessness Prevention
105 Chauncy Street, 2nd flr. Boston, MA
(617) 348-6347
Programs include: scattered site shelter services, rental assistance, housing court advocacy program, stabilization program, counseling, referral services and a housing search workshop, housing vouchers or subsidized housing, applying for public housing
https://bostonabcd.org/service_categories/housing/
Heading Home
529 Main Street, Charlestown, MA
Call 617-547-1885 by 10:00am to check for available beds
676-864-8140 for other issues
Offers homeless shelters that provide resources for those in the shelter. Heading Home offers both Family and Individual shelter programs, along with Transitional Housing and Permanent Supported Housing
https://www.headinghomeinc.org/
Roxbury Salvation Army
23 Vernon Street, Roxbury, MA
617-427-6700
Provides shelter or other temporary housing, rental assistance, help with food, gas, rent, and electricity to those who qualify and based on availability of funding. https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/
MA Attorney General’s Office
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA
(617) 573-5333
Provides rental assistance and housing and shelter services
https://www.mass.gov/mortgage-lending-and-foreclosures
MA Housing Consumer Education Centers – Raft Program
18 Tremont Street, Suite 401, Boston, MA
(617) 800-224-5124
Provides rental assistance, housing/shelter services and RAFT provides financial assistance to low income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Financial assistance may include moving cost, rent and utility arrears, rental stipends, utility bills, security deposit, first/last month rent and furniture.
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-raft-emergency-help-for-housing-costs
Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH)
143 Border Street, East Boston, MA
(617) 418-8242
Provides housing vouchers or subsidized housing, home repair assistance, foreclosure prevention clinics, first time homebuyer classes and energy efficient counseling.
Metropolitan Housing Partnership
125 Lincoln Street, Boston, MA
(617) 859-0400
Provides rental assistance and help with housing vouchers and subsidized housing, relocation assistance and referrals
https://www.metrohousingboston.org/
New England Center for Homeless Veterans – Support Services for Veteran Families
17 Court Street, Boston, MA
(617) 371-1800
Provides housing search assistance, financial assistance – rent, moving, utilities, transportation, security deposits. Assistance in financial planning, and obtaining veteran’s and other public benefits
Mass Housing
1 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
888.843.6432
Mass Housing finances the construction and preservation of affordable rental housing throughout Massachusetts. To access one of these affordable rental housing, visit the Mass. Housing Website below. https://www.masshousing.com/
Greater Boston Catholic Charities
270 Washington Street, Somerville, MA
(617) 625-1920
Provides rental assistance, home heating or utility financial aid
Salvation Army – Cambridge College
402 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
(617) 547-3400
Provides shelter, emergency overnight shelter, transitional and independent housing and utility assistance
https://massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/MA/Cambridge
First-Time Homeowner Assistance
Mass Housing
1 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
888.843.6432
Mass Housing provides the guidance, resources and affordable lending options you need to navigate the homebuying process
https://www.masshousing.com/en/home-ownership
MA Attorney General’s Office
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA
(617) 573-5333
Provides HomeCorps, a foreclosure prevention program that include loan medication advocacy, direct legal representation to attain loan modification, block unlawful foreclosures, stablilize borrowers housing situation
https://www.mass.gov/mortgage-lending-and-foreclosures
Boston HomeWorks
26 Court Street, Boston, MA
(617) 635-4663
Provides interest-free loan of up to $20,000 for approved home repairs for families that meet income requirements Assists clients through the entire home repair process such as finding a contractor, monitor work quality and ensure post renovation inspection.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/housing#page/homeworks_help
Food Pantries
Greater Boston Catholic Charities
270 Washington Street, Somerville, MA
(617) 625-1920
North End/West End NSC (ABCD)
1 Michelangelo Street, Boston, MA
(617) 523-8125
Provides food pantry, food stamp application assistance, health insurance and fuel assistance
https://bostonabcd.org/location/north-end-west-end-nsc/
Project Soup Food Pantry
15 Franklin Street
East Somerville, MA
(617) 776-7687
https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/food-security/
Harvest on the Vine
49 Vine Street, Charlestown, MA
(617) 990-7314
https://stmarystcatherine.org/harvest-on-vine/
Fair Food
(617) 288-6185
Provides Dollar-A-Bag and $2/bag where individuals bring a bag to be filled with vegetables and other food items. Various sites. Check link for nearest location.
The Paulist Center
5 Park Street, Boston, MA
(617) 742-4460
Provides weekly hot meal and food programs including food pantry
https://paulist.org/location/paulist-center/
Salvation Army in Cambridge
402 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
(617) 547-3400
Provides soup kitchen, hot meals, food pantry, counseling and many other services
https://massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/MA/Cambridge
Boston Rescue Mission
39 Kingston Street, Boston, MA
(617)338-9000
Provides soup kitchen, hot meals, food pantry, temporary housing
St. Francis House
39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
(617)542-4211
Provides soup kitchen and hot meals, help applying for food stamps, daytime shelter, mental health and substance abuse counseling and job skills training referrals
Immigration Services & Legal
Centro Presente, Inc
17 Inner Belt Road, Somerville, MA
(617) 629-4731
Provides assistance on immigration rights, legal immigration services, Citizenship, ESOL, ESL and Computer Literacy classes
The Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR)
98 Washington Street, Boston, MA
(617)742-9296
PAIR is the leading provider of pro bono immigration legal services to asylum-seekers and provides other immigration and citizenship services
Greater Boston Legal Services
197 Friend Street, Boston, MA
(617) 371-1234
Provides legal guidance in immigration, family law, employment/unemployment, Asian Outreach Program, citizenship services, domestic violence, food pantry and shelter referral and medicare advocacy program
https://www.gbls.org/get-legal-help
East Boston Adult Education Center
119 London Street, Boston, MA
(617) 567-7873
Offers ESOL, GED, Computer, Immigration and Citizenship classes
Irish International Immigration Center
100 Franklin Street, Boston, MA
(617)542-7654
Provides legal immigration assistance, citizenship services, ESOL, housing counseling, job assistance.
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy
105 Chauncy Street, MA
(617) 350-5480
Helps immigrants and refugees find immigration legal assistance, citizenship services, education, and health resources
https://www.miracoalition.org/
Volunteer Lawyers Project
99 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA
(617) 423-0648
Provides free legal civil assistance – consumer cases, family law, guardianship, housing intakes, utilities, will, wage & hours, tax cases and unemployment cases
Disability Law Center
11 Beacon Street, Suite 925, Boston, MA
(617) 723-8455
Provides information, referral technical assistance and representation regarding legal rights and services for people with disabilities
https://www.dlc-ma.org/index.htm
Suffolk University Legal Services
350 Broadway, Chelsea, MA
(617) 884-7568 or (617) 573-8100
Provides legal assistance in housing discrimination, health, family advocacy and intellectual property.
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
formerly Community Legal Services and Counseling Center
One West Street, Cambridge, MA
(617) 661-1010
Offers legal assistance in family law, domestic violence, housing eviction and homelessness prevention, disability benefits, and immigration and refugee rights
Family Services
Family Services of Greater Boston
31 Health St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 523-6400
Provides counseling services to support children, adolescents, caregivers and families to cope with life challenges, parenting programs
Jewish Family & Children Services
18 Shepard Street, Brighton, MA
(617) 224-4127
Provides services for infants, children and adolescents, people with disabilities, older adults, mental health services, new American services, nutrition services.
Bay Cove Child & Family Services
66 Canal Street, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 371-3000
Provide developmental assessments and early intervention services for infants and toddlers parent education, drug and alcohol treatment, elder services, mental health and developmental disabilities services
https://www.baycovehumanservices.org/
Thom Child & Family Services
555 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
(617) 383-6522
Provides early intervention services, pregnancy and newborn support, parent perspective
https://www.thomchild.org/our-services/
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Services
38 Ash Street, Boston, MA
(617) 635-5129
Provides Early Education and Care, Adult Education & Workforce Initiatives, Family Childcare, Family services, After School and Summer programs and Youth Center
https://bcnc.net/family-services/
Boston Center for Youth & Families
Multiple locations around the city of Boston
Main Office: 1483 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
(617) 635-4920
Provides support to children, youth, individuals and families with a range of programs and services throughout the year.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/boston-centers-youth-families
Children’s Services of Roxbury
520 Dudley Street, Boston, MA 02119
(617) 445-6655
Provides early education and care, center based programs, family stabilization and support, parent mentor, youth and police partnership, , behavioral health service, in-home therapy, recovery support service, youth and family services, adoption assessments and comprehensive foster care
The Dimock Center
55 Dimock Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 442-8800
Provides Early Head Start services, Head Start, School Readiness, Early Intervention and Adult Education services
Child Care Resources
Childcare Choices of Boston
105 Chauncy Street, 2nd Fl, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 542-5437
Offers listing of childcare providers, support, resources, technical assistance, training and child care expertise to families, child care providers and employers. Provides child care vouchers to low income families.
Parenting Resources
Smart from the Start
Various locations, Boston, MA
(857) 308-3000
Offers family support, Play to Learn Groups, Welcome Baby visits, GED and ESOL classes, financial literacy courses.
https://smartfromthestart.org/boston/
The Guidance Center
12 Tyler Street, Somerville, MA
(617) 629-3919
Offers mental health, family support services, early childhood services, child and adolescent services and intensive family services
https://www.riversidecc.org/events/the-guidance-centers-3rd-annual-fall-fling/
ANCD Young Parents Program
19 Temple Place, Boston, MA
(617) 357-6000
Offers support to young parents, 16-21 years old. Provides individual counseling, GED preparation, parenting skills classes, playgroups for children, job and career development, counseling and support groups.
https://bostonabcd.org/service_categories/careerdevelopment/
Charlestown Boys and Girls Club
15 Green Street, Charlestown, MA
(617) 242 -1775
Offers school programs for children 6-18 with emphasis on the arts, education, leadership and character development, life skills, sports, fitness, recreation and technology
https://www.bgcb.org/find-your-club/charlestown-club/
The Family Center, Inc
366 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA
(617) 628-8815
Developed the Parenting Journey, a 12-session, curriculum-based experimental parent development program. Offers parenting classes and support groups
ABCD South Boston Action Center
424 West Broadway, South Boston,
(617)269-5160
Offers access to HeadStart Applications, SummerWorks applications, family nurturing programs, youth programs, SNAP application, food vouchers, fuel application assistance and case management
https://bostonabcd.org/location/south-boston-head-start/
United South End Settlements
48 Rutland Street, Boston, MA
(617) 375-8150
Provides comprehensive programs that address the needs of infants to young teens. Includes preschool and after-school child care, summer day camps, subsidized slots, also offers a children’s arts center
YMCA of Greater Boston
Several locations
Provides a range of youth sports and fitness programs, day camps, after-school programs, enrichment and leadership programs and teen programs and activities
Roxbury Multi-Service Center
321 Blue Hill Avenue, Boston, MA
(617) 427-4470
Provides families and their children behavioral health, education and supportive housing services, parental support groups and after school programs.
Mental Health Resources
Suicide Prevention
Samaritans
141 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111
Business phone (617) 536-2460
24/7 Hotlines:
(617) 247-0220
(508) 875-4500
(800) 252-TEEN - Teenline
(877) 870-HOPE - State-wide
Services provided focus on suicide prevention, intervention and postvention as well as community education
http://www.samaritansusa.org/boston.php
Veteran’s Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK For veterans, text with a Veterans Crisis Line responder, send a text message to 838255. 24/7
Provides telephone crisis intervention, 24/7 access to trained counselors
https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/veterans/
Counseling & Therapy, Substance Abuse
MGH Charlestown Healthcare Center
73 High Street, Charlestown, MA
(617) 724-8135
Provides Counseling and Therapy, Domestic Violence Counseling, smoking cessation, drug rehab, alcohol rehab, free medical care.
https://www.massgeneral.org/locations/charlestown
The Guidance Center
12 Tyler Street, Somerville, MA
(617) 629-3919
Offers developmental, mental health and family support services, including early childhood services, child & adolescent services and intensive family services
https://www.riversidecc.org/events/the-guidance-centers-3rd-annual-fall-fling/
Bay Cover Treatment Center
66 Canal Street, Boston, MA
(617) 371-3000
Provides services in substance abuse, mental health and developmental disabilities for adults, children and their families
https://www.baycovehumanservices.org/
Northend Waterfront Health
332 Hanover Street, Boston
(617) 643-8000
Provides comprehensive health care services including mental health, counseling programs and personal care home making for the elderly
Thrive Works
872 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
(617) 395-5806
Provides mental health services for: anxiety disorders, couples and marriage counseling, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, grief counseling, child therapy, suspected abuse in a child psychiatric testing, anger management, addiction issues, and professional development life transitions such as divorce or loss of a job
https://thriveworks.com/cambridge-counseling/
Fenway Health
16 Haviland Street, 2nd and 4th floors, Boston, MA
(617) 247-7555
Offers individual, group, couple, and family therapy; psychiatric consultation; and addiction services – alcohol and drug. Offers help with self-esteem issues, relationship issues, living with HIV, or grieving the death of a partner. Offers therapy and support groups; psychiatric evaluation and treatment, Group Psychotherapy Program
Violence Recovery Program – Fenway Health
1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
(617) 267-0900
Provides advocacy, crisis counseling, group counseling, individual counseling, couple counseling to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and trangenders. Service includes general crime victim assistance, and gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender advocacy groups, counseling, advocacy, documentation and reporting, and trainings.
MGH – West End Clinic Addiction Treatment
16 Blossom Street, Boston, MA
(617) 726-2712
Provide services for alcohol and drug addictions, co-occurring mental health disorders and other types of addictive behaviors. Services include individual counseling, family and couples therapy sessions, group therapy and medication management
Victory Programs, Inc
170 Morton Street, Boston, MA
(617) 541-0222
Provides prevention, recovery and housing programs for those with substance abuse addictions and homeless. Offers comprehensive substance abuse stabilization and case management /housing search services, programs for men and women living with HIV/AIDS who are in recovery. Provides mental health, substance abuse services, transitional housing, HIV/AIDS education and primary care.
DrugRehab.com
A web resource that provides information and support to people fighting substance abuse and addiction.
https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/homelessness/
https://www.drugrehab.com/support/
Ideas on a how to create a home environment to support recovery:
Items Recovering Addicts Shouldn’t Have in Their Homes
12 Clever Ways to Use Bar Carts that Have Nothing to Do with Booze
Promoting Mental Health at Home: How to Design the Perfect Meditation Room
5 Tips for Managing Triggers During Addiction Recovery
Foods that Are Good for Addiction Recovery
Drug Rehab Resources
https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/homelessness/
https://www.drugrehab.com/support/
For access to more resources or resources nearest to you, please click on the Help Step Link below which will provide you with access to a variety of specific resources near you.
