Community Resources 

United Way 2-1-1

The United Way supports the 2-1-1 program. This program serves families across Pennsylvania and helps put them in touch with community resources.

The 2-1-1 service is free, confidential, and accessible 24/7.

If you are a family in need of community resources, such as basic needs, health care, income support/employment, mental health, and other essential services, 2-1-1 can help you navigate your community and access local resources.

You are able to connect with a specialist 24/7 to help navigate your community resources by the following ways:

Phone: Dial 2-1-1

Website: http://211.org/

Chat: Via their website - http://211.org/

Finding Your Way in PA

Finding Your Way in PA contains information regarding how to access Community Resources across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including many of the Resource Locators above and below.

Families can find resources to assist with Food, Shelter, Health, Education and Other Resources (Hygeine, Clothes, etc.)

Website: https://findingyourwayinpa.app/

To download the application on your phone - https://findingyourwayinpa.com/

Public Benefits - COMPASS (Online) or Local County Assistance Office

COMPASS is the online portal to learn about public benefits in Pennsylvania, see if you are eligible, apply for benefits (and re-apply, as-needed). It is the one access point for public benefits, including the following (and more):

• Health Care Coverage, including CHIP 

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps), including Disaster Food Assistance

• Free or Reduced-Price School Meals

• Cash Assistance (TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, State Blind Pension, Refugee Cash Assistance)

• Child Care Works (ELRCs, Pre-K Counts, etc.)

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

• Long Term Living Services – Home and Community Based, and Nursing Home and Related Facilities 

You can also call your local County Assistance Office (CAO) for assistance with applying for public benefits.

FindHelp.Org

FindHelp.org is a website that helps families locate local community resources, similar to United Way 2-1-1.

Families can find resources to assist with food resources, housings, household goods, transportation, health care resources, community support, and employment.

Enter your zip codes to begin exploring community resources.

Center for Community Resources (CCR)

The Support and Referral Line is a 24-hour, 7 days-a-week, listening and referral service provided to all of Pennsylvania.

Please call 1-844-360-4372 or TTY 724-631-5600 to speak with one of their specialists.

Mitzvah Circle - Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery and Philadelphia County

Mitzvah packs individualized care packages for families in need that include items such as diapers, baby wipes, clothes, shoes, coats, period supplies, and toiletries. If there are needs above and beyond what the PALCS Community Closet can meet, our Community Resource Liaison can submit a referral for you to receive assistance through Mitzvah Circle, which requires a phone call to input all required referral information.

For those in Montgomery County, Mitzvah Circle will deliver to you where you are, and you can submit a self-referral.
For those outside Montgomery County, the referral must be submitted by a social service professional, and our Community Resource Liaison is happy to assist. For these referrals, PALCS will require additional time (once the package is ready) to coordinate the pick-up from Mitzvah Circle and subsequent drop-off/shipment of the supplies to where you are. 

Philadelphia Community Resources

FamilyPromise of Philadelphia (formerly Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network) has a comprehensive Resource Directory, including Food & Material Support, Children & Youth, Single Parenting, Education & Career, Housing & Finances, Wellness & Safety, Utility Programs, Legal and Additional Organizations.

Click the link below to explore these helpful resources in Philadelphia.

Chester County Help Book - Human and Social Services Guide 

& Chester County Community Resource Guide

The Chester County Help Book is a comprehensive guide that helps community members in Chester County, PA locate a wide variety of resources. Resources include - child care, counseling, disability services, employment services, food assistance, health services, homelessness prevention, housing assistance, senior services, veteran services, and many more. 

Montgomery County Parent and Infant Resource Guide - A reference guide of services to help families and agencies in Montgomery County

Click on the links below for a comprehensive list of resources in Montgomery County.

Northeast PA - Community Resource Book

Community Services for Children (CSC) helps community members throughout Northeast PA locate a wide variety of resources. CSC serves 17 counties in Northeast PA; headquarters are in Allentown, PA with offices in 10 counties.  Resources include:

Car seats, child behavioral support, child care, children & family services, counseling, crisis / drug & alcohol support, free or low cost health clinics (and many other health supports), home buying, hotlines, legal services, libraries, no cost preschool, pregnancy & newborn support, prescription drug assistance, public assistance offices, recreation and after-school program, services for individuals with disabilities, support groups, transportation, voting and more.

Lancaster County - Community Resource List

Real Life Community Services - Comprehensive List of Social Service Agencies in Lancaster County

Community Action Agencies across PA

Community Action Agencies are nonprofit community-based organizations that work to assist families in need of support, particularly low-income families, with pursuing opportunities and becoming more self-sufficient. To find the Community Action Organization near you, look through the list below: 

Baby / Diaper Resources

• During the Baby Formula Shortage: Info and Help Page

• Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, and Lehigh Valley Counties: The Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank

• Central Pennsylvania: Healthy Steps Diaper Bank 

• Greater Pittsburgh Area: Western PA Diaper Bank 

Additional Community Resources

Community-Based Gifting Initiatives