Resources

COVID-19 Resources

General Information
  • Center for Disease Control (CDC) – Latest information & advisories
  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Latest information & advisories
  • Mass.gov – Latest MA closures, essential services, dates, resources
  • Massachusetts 211Information Line: dial 211 for the latest MA information & resources
  • AlertsMA – subscribe to real-time notifications by texting the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777, para Espanol, texto COVIDMAESP a 888-777
  • Help Steps – Free & confidential web & app based system that connects you to help services
  • Youth.gov – Resources to support youth & families
  • Asian American Resource Workshop – General information and resources for dealing with racism, community aid, workers rights, housing rights, justice, small businesses, artists & freelancers, and language resources
  • Massachusetts Immigration & Refugee Coalition (MIRA) – recursos para personas que hablan español / resources and information on COVID-19 for individuals and families who speak Spanish
  • HYAS Know Your Rights Guide – information for refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants about their housing, employment, safety, & health rights during COVID-19. Click for your preferred language: English, Spanish, Farsi, Arabic, French, Russian, Swahili
  • Town of Sudbury – Guide to local employment, food, financial aid, medical & mental health, housing, self-care, parent/caregiver support resources
  • Acton-Boxborough United Way – Information, free food, community, senior, and veteran resources for Acton & Boxborough
  • COVID-19 Health Literacy Project: Fact sheets for individuals, families and children about COVID-19 available in 30 languages
  • Emergency Kit – Info from Mass.gov about building an emergency kit and what should go in it during COVID-19.
  • Emerson Health Find Help – enter your zip code to find info on local financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost services.
Domestic Violence
Financial Aid
  • MWLS CELHP Update on COVID Eviction Legal Help Project – Update as of May 2021 on eviction moratoriums and resources for assistance
  • CARES Act Individual Direct Payments – Info on direct payments from the government to each citizen & green card holder as determined by the the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Securities Act)
  • CARES Act for Small Businesses – Info on the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Securities Act) & the loans and grants your business may qualify for
  • Unemployment – Apply for government unemployment benefits if you have lost your job
  • WorkforceGPS – Unemployment compensation information
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance – Apply for up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits for self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others who are unable to work as a direct result of COVID 19 but do not qualify for traditional unemployment
  • Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) – Government financial assistance for families with low-income
  • Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Dependent, and Children (EAEDC) – Government financial assistance for low-income people in these categories
  • MA Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) – mortgage payment assistance for homeowners who have fallen behind due to COVID-19.
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – state-based program to provide short term emergency funds on a one-time-use basis for families who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Apply at your local county social services office
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) – federal program to provide affordable rental housing for low-income families, including abuse survivors
  • HomeBASE – can provide funds and support to overcome financial barriers to ending homelessness for those who meet income and reason-for-homelessness requirements (including abuse)
  • HUD Exchange – search by state to find homeless shelters (not domestic violence-specific). Plus, their Transitional Housing (TH) program may cover housing costs and support services for participants for up to 24 months
  • Budget Buddies – Financial resources, information, & assistance. Click for their PowerPoint presentation on Navigating Financial Uncertainty. For specific questions or issues, email support@budgetbuddies.org or leave a voicemail or text at 617-297-7376
  • SMOC Fuel Assistance – Assistance paying for fuel for heating for low-income families through April 30, 2020, 978-264-1734
  • A Friend in Need – One time support of up to $500 for residents of Acton, Boxborough, & Maynard in need: 978-263-2332 (South Acton CC), AFIN@southactoncc.org
  • Massachusetts Workers Emergency Relief Funds – Information on various relief funds for all workers regardless of immigration status
  • Acton & Maynard Mortgage Assistance Program – Up to $3000 one-time mortgage assistance grant for qualifying families residing in Acton or Maynard toward overdue payments since April 2020 or upcoming payments to Jan 2021. Applications must be filed by 12/18/2020. Funds are first come, first served until exhausted.
  • Wayland Community Fund – Short-term emergency financial assistance to Wayland residents for basic needs such as utilities, rent, food, medical bills, and other living expenses, 781-531-5435
  • Wayland Housing Authority – low income public housing, 508-655-6310
  • Good Neighbor Emergency Fund – available to any MA resident who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month’s energy expense and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance
  • Merriam Fund – help paying small bills for Weston residents. Call the Board of Selectmen: 781-786-5020, or email in confidence: merriamfund@westonmass.org
  • Acton-Boxborough United Way COVID-19 Grants – help paying for rent, utilities and more
  • Acton Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) – Grants for temporary rent assistance for Acton residents with a loss of income due to COVID-19. Click for Guidelines and ApplicationDEADLINE JUNE 15, 2020!
  • HOPESudbury: Provides emergency financial support by directly paying bills for those in need in Sudbury
  • HOPESudbury Holiday Gift Cards – Sudbury residents may apply to receive a Target gift card for the holidays.
  • Sudbury Mortgage Assistance Program – up to $3000 for Sudbury residents facing hardship due to the pandemic.
  • Sudbury Rental Relief Program (SRRP) – SRRP pays a portion of a household’s rent for 6 months. Sudbury residents who meet income criteria, are not receiving other rental assistance, and do not own real estate can apply online. BOH Social Work Office can assist with the application is desired.
  • Lincoln Council on Aging’s Emergency Assistance Fund and Society of St. Vincent de Paul Financial Assistance Program & Food Pantry – Contact the CoA at bottumc@lincolntown.org or (781) 259-8811 or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Julia Parish at (781) 899-2611 or svdplincolnweston@gmail.com for a private & confidential consultation to determine what services and benefits may be of help, including possible payment of some bills
  • Senior Female Financial AssistanceSWAN assists single, widowed, or divorces women 65+ within 25 miles of Boston, and The Sarah Devens Trust assists single, widowed, or divorces women 73+ with an annual incomes less than $30,000.
  • Acton ARPA Childcare Subsidy Program – Based on income and qualifying need, residents of Acton can apply for up to $3000 for childcare expenses to return to work, education, or to seek employment. Program runs 7/1/22 – 6/30/23. Contact lducharme@actonma.gov or at 978-929-6651.
  • Safelink Wireless – Free cell phone service for those at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
  • Fresh Start Furniture Bank – Free donated furniture for families in need. Referral from a social service agency required. DVSN can refer.
  • Anton’s Cleaners – coats for adults and children are available to pick up beginning in October, Boutique Day in spring for students attening prom can choose from donated dresses, shoes, jewelry, etc.
  • Go Sudbury! Taxi Subsidy Program – FREE taxi transportation for vulnerable populations (older residents, veterans, persons with disabilities, medical staff, first responders, etc.) for trips to work, medical appointments, grocery shopping, or other trips (program running +/- Sept 2020 – Feb 2021).
  • Peter Pan Bus Lines – FREE bus transportation for domestic violence survivors for medical treatment, housing relocation, or other emergency services.
  • Mission Moves – assist clients in Sudbury & Maynard who are moving with renting, packing, driving, and unloading a truck. Provided by the St. John Church in Sudbury. Contact the Sudbury Town Social Worker at socialworker@sudbury.ma.us or 978-440-5476.
  • Furnishing Hope – provide furniture, household items, moving and set up services to families transitioning from homeless or domestic violence shelters to stable housing.
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – helps eligible households to pay a portion of their winter heating bills.
  • dhead Massachusetts – search by town to find local assistance program information.
  • Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – government program to help low-income households pay for broadband service and internet connected dcevices.
  • Free Faily Law Clinic – designed to serve survivors of domestic violence, get free individual and confidential advice from family law attorneys, December 16, 2022, 10am – 4pm, virtual & in-person appointments available, call 508-371-4054 or email Izzie at family.americorps@mwlegal.org
  • Holiday Shopping Day – free toys, crafts, cookies, cocoa, & holiday cheer, December 13th, 2022, 1-5pm, Framingham Family Resource Center, 88 Lincoln St., Framingham
  • Holiday Family Dinner Event– an evening of food, dessert, games, & gifts – December 14th, 2022, 6pm, Framingham Family Resource Center, 88 Lincoln St., Framingham – Limited Space! Contact Christi_Fagerberg@WaysideYouth.org
Food & Medication Services

 

  • SNAP – Formerly food stamps, help buying food for low-income citizens
  • Project Bread – Hotline for information on local MA food pantries & the SNAP program, 800-645-8333
  • Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) – support to help families with children who were receiving free and reduced-price school meals pay for food
  • Sudbury Food Pantry – Drive through food pantry, open Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:30am-2:15pm, registration at 11:45, 978-443-7725, Our Lady of Fatima Church, 160 Concord Rd, Sudbury
  • Sudbury Food Insecurity Program – Free restaurant gift cards for Sudbury residents in need. Email name, number of household residents, address, 3-4 favorite Sudbury restaurants to socialworker@sudbury.ma.us
  • Slices of Hope – Juliana’s Catering is offering Sudbury residents one free pizza for families who self-identify as being in need. Pick-up Mon-Thurs 1-4pm.
  • Open Table – Drive through food pantry only, open Tuesdays 1-6:30pm and Thursdays 3-6:30pm, new clients 5:30-6:30pm. 978-369-2275, 33 Main St, Maynard. CC Mobile Food Pantry, every other Wednesday 3:30-5pm, referral required, DVSN can refer.
  • Open Table Mobile Food Pantry – drive through grocery distribution on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month, 1pm-2pm. First Parish Church, 20 Lexington Rd., Concord.
  • Stow Food Pantry – Drive through food pantry. Call or email for an appointment: 978-897-4230, stowfoodp@gmail.com, Pompositticut Community Center, 509 Great Rd, Stow
  • Lexington Food Pantry – Parking lot pick up and home delivery options, Saturdays 9:30-11am, lexfoodpantry@gmail.com, Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam St, Lexington
  • Town of Boxborough Food Resources – Grocery shopping & medication pick-up, SNAP benefits, local food pantries
  • Acton-Boxborough Food Pantry – Drive through only, open Wednesdays 10am-7pm, Thursdays 9:30-11:30am except the week of the 4th Wednesday each month. 978-635-9295, 235 Summer Rd, Boxborough
  • Mini Food Pantry – Take what you need, leave what you can. Non-parishable food in a box in front of South Acton Church UCC, 35 School St., South Acton.
  • Bedford Food Bank – Drive through food pantry for vulnerable senior citizens/veterans/existing Bedford Food Bank clients, school-aged children/families of the Bedford Public Schools in need of food support at this time (including, but not limited to, students currently on free or reduced breakfast and lunch), and any member of the Bedford community facing food insecurity. Thursdays 4-5:30pm, Town Center Building, 12 Mudge Way, Bedford, bedfordfoodbank@bedfordma.gov
  • Project Just Because – food pantry for all MA residents, Mon-Thurs 9:30am-3:30pm at 109 South St., Hopkinton.
  • Mt. Calvary Community Supper – Dinner to go Wednesdays 5-6pm, one meal per person, bring your own bag, 978-263-5156, Fellowship Hall, 472 Massachusetts Ave, Acton
  • Lasagna Love – Homemade family-size lasagnas on request.
  • Minuteman Senior Services – Meals on wheels deliveries, 888-222-6171
  • Neighbor Brigade – Grocery deliveries left outside, limited help with rides to essential appointments & gift cards for non-food essentials
  • Acton Pharmacy – Free same-day delivery of prescription medication or curb-side pick up, Mon-Fri 8:30am-7pm; Sat 8:30am-4pm; Sun 8:30am-3pm; Seniors shopping hour: 8:30-9:30am (hours valid until April 30, 2020)
  • Family Wize – request a card to get free or discounted prescriptions.

 

Emotional Support
Family Education & Entertainment