Additional Resources for Families

Community Resource Guide

Need Help Paying Bills?

Please visit Massachusetts Assistance and Aid Programs for a listing of resources.

Need Housing Support?

Through the FOCUS ( Families Overcoming Challenges Utilizing Support, Shelter, and Stabilization) Program Community Care Services supports the family’s efforts in battling the effects of poverty and homelessness while searching for permanent housing. FOCUS is a temporary emergency shelter and stabilization program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).  For more information click here.

Massachusetts Homeless Shelters and Social Services for the Needy

For a  listing of emergency shelters, homeless shelters and transitional assistance click here.

Need Help with Cell Phone Service?

Safe Link Wireless may be able to help or Assurance Wireless

Are you in need of Food Assistance, Furniture Assistance or Christmas Assistance?

My Brother’s Keeper may be able to help!   My Brother’s Keeper,  strives to follow the words of St. Francis of Assisi…we help people of all faiths and backgrounds. Anyone living in our service area is eligible to receive our help, regardless of religion.   To request help for Furniture & Food Assistance call  508-238-4416.  For help with Christmas Assistance contact 508-238-2562.  http://www.mybrotherskeeper.org/ .

In Need of Community Services But Don't Know Where to Turn?

Massachusetts 2-1-1 Get Connected. Get Answers. A program of your local United Way.  Every day, someone somewhere in Massachusetts needs to find essential community services; a food bank, an after school program or where to secure care for an aging parent. Many face these challenges, but don’t always know where to turn for help.  The solution is to dial 2-1-1.  1-877-211-MASS  –  http://www.mass211.org 24 hours a day/7 days a week – free – confidential.  Mass 2-1-1 helps you find free information on: food, shelter, rent assistance, utility bill assistance, after-school programs, child chare, counseling, senior services, disaster relief and much more!

Are You In Need of Employment Assistance?

Check out this FREE Career Development Service for individuals who are new or returning to the market place.  One Life at a Time assists in coaching and mentoring adults with career building essentials so they can obtain and retain gainful employment. They seek to build confidence to help individuals with the education and training they need to be successful in the work place. Visit their website here for more information or to register for a FREE workshop.

Are you Experiencing Housing Issues of Utility Issues?

Visit the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless website to learn about the RAFT Program.  If you and your family are at imminent risk of homelessness, you may be eligible for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), a state-funded homelessness prevention program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Click here for more information

Tips for Parents:

• Parents of Seniors Are you a Helicopter Parent? Take the survey here
• Give Kids Good Schools encourages individuals to: Learn the facts about quality public schools, Vote to support and promote quality public education in your community and across the country, Act by letting public officials and others know that quality public education is a top priority all year long Visit their website here GiveKidsGoodSchools.Org
• A Community Concern this film follows the story of three communities, Oakland, the Bronx,  and Boston as they work to change their system of public  education you may visit their website and view the film here.

• Kid’s Club is a children’s bereavement program designed to help children ages 5-13 deal with the loss of a loved one or significant person.  Click here for more information.