Non-Emergency Text Line– Text with a victim witness advocate from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office for resources and information for those who feel unsafe calling or prefer not to call:Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm, 781-281-4066
Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) – helps maintain as confidential the address of a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking who has been accepted into the program
Sheltering Wings – a Christian organization assisting people experiencing domestic abuse
Voices Against Violence 24/7 Support Line: 508-626-8686 or Mondays from 9am-5pm, digital advocacy is available at rc.chat/voices or text 508-761-1301
Power & Relationships – a quick outline of healthy, unhealthy, and abusive power dynamics from Respond, Inc.
Buddy Programs
Big and Mini– matching older adults with 18-25 year olds for conversation and connection
Dorot Caring Calls – connects older adults with volunteers ages 18 and up for weekly phone calls
Eldera – matching kids with older mentors for weekly virtual conversation, storytime, and activities
SAGE Connect– a phone-buddy program that matches LGBT elders with volunteers for weekly phone calls
Clothing & Home Essentials Aid
Acton-Boxborogh Resource Center & Exchange Shop – clothing & other basic necessities available in the shop M-Th 10am-3pm at the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District Administration Building 15 Charter Road, Acton MA 01720, plus information on general assistance, food, transportation, healthcare, insurance, mental health, houseing, job training, youth and senior services, and more
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.
Fresh Start Furniture Bank – Free donated furniture for families in need. Referral from a social service agency required. DVSN can refer.
Furnishing Hope – provides furniture, household items, moving and set up services to families transitioning from homeless or domestic violence shelters to stable housing.
Gifts of Hope Unlimited – Local social workers or domestic violence service provider agencies work with survivors to make a list of the household goods, furniture, and clothing they need. GOHU then searches for or buys the items so that clients don’t have to call around to multiple agencies.
Household Goods– Household Goods provides good-quality used beds, furniture, sheets, towels, kitchen items and more, free of charge, to those who need but do not have access to most items necessary to create a home. A referral is needed from a social service agency, healthcare provider, faith community, or other organization to receive furniture and household items from Household Goods.
Lifeline – Federal program for eligible consumers to get up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services
APISAA Therapist Directory – list of contact information for Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American therapists in every state
Bridge Club of Greater Lowell – assists with navigating recovery or returning from relapse, including detox, rehab, sober living, and reentering the workforce
Division on Addictions – Free assistance finding treatment options best suited to individual needs
Emerson Hospital Behavioral & Mental Health Resources – information about no fee and/or low barrier to entry support programs and tools for navigating the Massachusetts behavioral health care system provided by non-profit organizations and Department of Mental Health partners.
HOME (upliftbhs.org) – offering individual & group therapy, support groups, & mentoring in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese, & Cape Verdean Creole. Remote, hybrid, & in-person services. Accept all Mass Health plans & most major insurances
Human Relations Service (HRS) – private, non-profit mental health agency serving families and children in Wellesley, Weston, and Wayland
Lexington Human Services Therapy – Residents of Lexington are eligible for FREE therapy, regardless of insurance status, through the Human Services Office in partnership with the Eliot Center. Contact Melissa Interess, LICSW, at 781-698-4841 orhumanservicesoffice@lexingtonma.gov
Peer Support Warmlines – call when feeling sad, anxious, lonely, or just want to talk. Boston Peer Support Line, 800-733-7563, Monday – Sunday 4-8pm. Western MA Peer Support Line, 800-407-4515, Monday – Thursday 7-9pm, Friday – Saturday 7-10pm.
Wholistic Healing Workshops – workshops to help families of incarcerated loved ones and survivors of homicide victims using a holistic approach through self-care exercises, DIY-healing remedies, art and music therapy, and more
Emotional Support Hotlines
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a crisis hotline, plus resources and information to help states, territories, tribes, mental health and substance use disorder professionals, and others looking for information on understanding the background, history, funding opportunities, and implementation resources for strengthening suicide prevention and mental health crisis services. Call 988 (starting 7/16/2022)
Advocates Mobile Crisis– Mental health or emotional crisis emergency psychiatric support helpline:800-640-5432
Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) – provides clinical triage and service navigation for mental health & addiction services in MA, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis intervention. Call or text 833-773-2445, or chat in realtime online at MassHelpLine.com
Cambridge Women’s Center– Emotional Support & Resource Referral Helplines Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm,617-354-6394 or 617-354-8807, dial ‘1’ for emotional support & ‘2’ for resource referrals and navigation assistance, voicemail available
Crisis Text Line– Text with a crisis counselor:Text HOME to 741741
Disaster Distress Hotline– Crisis counseling for those in emotional distress, dealing with stress, depression related to a natural or human-caused disaster: 800-985-5990
Parental Stress Helpline– Talk to counselors for stress relief, information, & resources:800-632-8188
Peer Support Warmlines – call when feeling sad, anxious, lonely, or just want to talk. Boston Peer Support Line, 800-733-7563, Monday – Sunday 4-8pm. Western MA Peer Support Line, 800-407-4515, Monday – Thursday 7-9pm, Friday – Saturday 7-10pm.
Financial Literacy Reading List – suggestions of books to learn about money & personal finances for many age groups from 3 to 30+
Emotional Wellbeing After Baby – support group for mothers and fathers experiencing anxiety or depression in the first postpartum year. Thursdays 10-11:30 via Zoom. Email hobrien@jri.org for info.
Family Resource Centers (FRC) – statewide network of community-based providers offering multi-cultural parenting programs, support groups, early childhood services, information and referral resources, and education for families. In person appointments & remote services available in various locations.
First Connections – parenting resources & Zoom groups for children & parents. For free diapers & wipes for low-income families, email Linda at lmatthews@jri.org
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
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
Making Opportunity Count – provides a variety of services, including emergency, medical, mental health, economic stability, family, teen & youth, and elder services to those living in poverty
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
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.
Open Table– Drive through food pantry only, open Tuesdays 1-6:30pm (1-3pm 65+) and Thursdays 11am-4:30pm.978-369-2275, 33 Main St, Maynard
Project Bread– Hotline for information on local MA food pantries & the SNAP program,800-645-8333
Project Just Because – food pantry for all MA residents, Mon-Thurs 9:30am-3:30pm at 109 South St., Hopkinton.
SNAP – Formerly food stamps, help buying food for low-income citizens
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
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
Sudbury Food Pantry– Drive through food pantry, open Tuesdays & Fridays 12:00pm-2:30pm,978-443-7725, located atAscension Parish Church, 160 Concord Rd, Sudbury
Legal & Immigration
City of Boston Immigration Clinic – free 15-minute consultaions with an immigration attorney via phone. Appointment required! Schedule an appointment by calling call 617-635-2980 or emailing immigrantadvancement@boston.gov
Federal vs. Administrative Warants – sample warrants, info about the differences, what to look for to ensure they are properly filled out, and legal obligations for each type
Jane Doe, Inc. Resources for Keeping Us Safe – links to information & resources on immigration, knowing your rights (federal and MA) for immigrant and transgender individuals, helpful hotlines, legal support, guidelines for providers & workplaces
Know Your Rights/Red Cards– “Red Cards” with universal rights reglardless of immigration status available to download in 19 languages
Legal Resources – a list of probono legal resources in Massachusetts
MA Legal Resource Finder – answer a few questions to find free or low-cost resources for legal information and self-help materials
MA Pro-Bono Legal Service Providers – a list of pro-bono legal service providers in Massachusetts, including their specialities, requirements, and contact info
Metrowest Legal Services– Free virtual legal help in civil cases to low-income residents in Metrowest & Southern Norfolk country
NAKASEC Know Your Rights – information & dos/don’ts for dealing with I.C.E. and law enforcement about immigration issues, 24/7 hotline: 1-844-500-3222, info & hotline available in English & Korean
NNiRR Hotlines List – a list of many national hotlines available including immigration & refugee hotlines, LGBTQ+ immigrant hotlines, missing migrant hotlines, and state and local hotlines for help with raids, detentions, & deportations in 18 states, info in English & Spanish, several hotlines speak Spanish & other languages
Pair Project – free immigration services to indigent asylum seekers and detained immigrants
Safety Plan for Immigrant Survivors – Casa Myrna developed this safety and preparedness plan specifically for immigrant survivors in English and Spanish
Meals, Dinners, One-Time Food Assistance
Lasagna Love – Homemade family-size lasagnas on request
Mt. Calvary Community Supper – Dinner to go Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm, doors open at 4:15pm, 978-263-5156, Fellowship Hall, 472 Massachusetts Ave, Acton
Medical Services & Aid
Acton Pharmacy – home delivery of prescription medication
Family Wize – request a card to get free or discounted prescriptions
Spark Hope Scar Revision Project – connects those struggling with scars from self-injury or violence to providers of medical scar revision for free treatment
Kiwi Recovery – mental health and addiction services for teens and young adults (ages 13-25)
Safe Haven Ballet – trauma informed ballet classes to help heal through body movement & community
Pet Assistance & Housing
Red Rover– provide grants and assistance to find safe housing for survivors’ pets during a crisis
Safe Haven for Pets – search by zip code to find pet-friendly shelters or other safe places for pets of individuals experiencing domestic violence
Pet Help in MA – list of clinics offering pet care (some free or discounted), animal food pantries and food assistance programs, financial assistance for pet medical care, and emergency pet shelters and temporary housing.
Purple Paws Program – fosters pets who have been abused or whose owners have been abused
Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) – helps maintain as confidential the address of a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking who has been accepted into the program.
Case Management & Application Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence – 1:1 support overwhelming & completing complex tasks such as applying for fuel assistance, rental/mortgage assistance, subsidized housing, & food stamps. Sudbury residents only. Email socialworker@sudbury.ma.us
Concord Emergency Shelter – from March 1, 2023, DHCD is leasing all rooms at the Best Western Hotel in Concord to provide temporary housing for families, pregnant women, and infants.
DomesticShelters.org– search by zip code to find a domestic violence shelter, plus find tons of information about shelters & abuse
Elizabeth Stone House – provides support services, housing (emergency & long-term), and family & childcare services.
Family Promise – search by zip code or state to find affiliates that offer services including shelters and assistance finding housing, can sometimes assist families with alternative housing solutions to avoid emergency shelter situations
Hedfuel – search by community to find the local housing authority, emergency shelters, and other assistance programs in the area
The Second Step – provides many services to survivors including transitional housing in the Greater Boston and MetroWest area
TransitionalHousing.org – search by state to find transitional housing locations, contact info, a brief description, and often photographs of facilities
The Women’s Center – offers counceling, emergency shleter, housing assistance, court advocacy, medical advocacy, police advocacy
YWCA – offers housing assistance, crisis hotline, counceling, safe exchange, financial literacy skills, medical & legal advocay, among other supports
Kiwi Recovery – mental health and addiction services for teens and young adults (ages 13-25)
Parent Guide – tips for parents navigating teen dating violence from Respond, Inc.
Friend Guide – tips for friends of teen dating violence victims
Know the Signs – a list of potential signs of teen dating violence from Respond, Inc.
LGBTQIA+:
The Network/La Red– Offers support services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, SM, polyamorous, and queer survivors of partner abuse): Hotline 617-742-4911 (voice), 617-227-4911 (tty)
Men:
Stats, information, and resources on intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking from the CDC
Native Helpline for Domestic and dating violence: Hotline 844-762-8483
Town Resident Financial Assistance
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
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
HOPESudbury:Provides emergency financial support by directly paying bills for those in need in Sudbury
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.
Case Management & Application Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence – 1:1 support overwhelming & completing complex tasks such as applying for fuel assistance, rental/mortgage assistance, subsidized housing, & food stamps. Sudbury residents only. Email socialworker@sudbury.ma.us
Senior Female Financial Assistance – SWAN 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
Transportation Aid
Cars for Moms – free cars for single mothers and low-income families
College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk – provide discounted moving services for domestic violence survivors and free moving during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October). A certified DV shelter must call to arrange: 833-626-1326
Good News Garage – donated and refurbished cars awarded to low income individuals & families, and free van rides to essential life activites for qualifying individuals
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
Peter Pan Bus Lines – FREE bus transportation for domestic violence survivors for medical treatment, housing relocation, or other emergency services
Second Chance Cars – free cars for low-income families via recommendation from a nonprofit partner and application
Massachusetts 211 – Information Line: dial 211 for the latest MA information & resources
Help Steps – Free & confidential web & app based system that connects you to help services
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
Town of Sudbury – Guide to local employment, food, financial aid, medical & mental health, housing, self-care, parent/caregiver support resources
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
