SLM Highlighted Resources

ABCD offers a variety of services including Education programs,  Career Training programs, Housing support, Food Access Pantries, Energy services, and Tax Support. More information about their various programs listed below. 

Locations: https://bostonabcd.org/#locations

Website: https://bostonabcd.org/allprograms/

Email: youth@bostonabcd.org or abcdconnect@bostonabcd.org

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Education Programs:

ABCD offers a variety of school-year and summertime educational opportunities for youth between the ages of 14-24. Programs include:

• WorkSMART: Open to Boston high school students 14-21 years old. Youth participate in 8 week paid internships, college courses/certifications, mentoring and tutoring.

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): Free classes offered at several levels during the day and in the evening. Free childcare is available for many evening classes.

Career Training Programs:

ABCD offers several job training opportunities for youth between the ages of 16-24. Programs include:

• Career Explorations: Open to out of school youth ages 16-24. Students receive training/certification for Early Childhood Education, Culinary, or Home Health Aide roles. 8 week paid internships available.

Housing Support:

Through offices in Boston and Malden, ABCD is supporting people in their search and working to prevent families from entering homelessness by providing housing counseling. ABCD provides assistance, including information to help you navigate the maze of paperwork and procedures that comes with subsidized housing.

Energy Services: 

• Utility Bill Advocacy: Through partnerships with National Grid and Eversource, ABCD can help you reduce your overdue utility bills (arrearages) and avoid shutoffs when you adhere to a payment plan structured to meet your needs.

• Conservation: With the help of our partners Eversource, ABCD can often lower your electric bills with free energy efficient light bulbs, water conservation materials and possibly a new refrigerator, air conditioner, dehumidifier or front loading washing machine if your existing appliances are inefficient.

• Heating Systems: You may be eligible to have your heating system repaired or replaced, get emergency response when you have no heat, and receive equipment tune-ups.

• Weatherization: ABCD's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps you reduce your heating and air conditioning costs. ABCD can install attic and wall insulation, weather stripping, and air sealing at no cost.

Food Pantry Support:

ABCD is operating five food pantries for Boston residents: Allston/Brighton, East Boston, Mattapan, Parker Hill/Fenway, and Roxbury/North Dorchester*. Leave the food pantry with non-perishables  (cereal, rice, and canned tomatoes, for example) fresh produce, and more, as well as referrals to long-term support services. PLEASE CALL in advance to register. 

*If you live in Malden, Medford or Everett, please call our Mystic Valley Opportunity Center at (781) 321-2501 to be referred to a nearby food pantry.

ABCD Tax Support

If you meet certain eligibility requirements, ABCD will provide you with free tax preparation assistance that can help reduce your tax burden and get back money that can help you pay off debt and build savings. ABCD also provides these services to people with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. Tax services available by appointment only. Please call your local ABCD site to schedule a consultation to see if you qualify. 

Abundance is an iOS and Android app for finding free and low-cost food resources in Greater Boston. Find a food pantry or meal program, fruit and vegetable pick-up site, farmers’ market, market or grocery store near you using Abundance's search tool.

Website: https://www.abundanceboston.com/

If you are a young person aged 14-24 in Boston who needs support and a safe place to stay, Bridge is here to help. Bridge can help with emergency shelter and runs a drop-in center and transitional housing programs. If you are in need of immediate shelter or interested in learning more about Bridge programs, contact Bridge to schedule a meeting with an intake counselor or stop in at the Downtown Boston location Monday-Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Website: https://www.bridgeotw.org/gethelp

Phone: (24/7 line, monitored by answering service outside of business hours): (617) 423-9575

Email: bridge@bridgeotw.org

Address: 47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111. Walk-ins are welcome!

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Safe Place: If you are under the age of 18 and in need of help, you can visit any Safe Place site around Boston and they will help connect you with Bridge. Get more information on Safe Place sites in Boston. 

• Bridge also offers support via text, youth can text the word "safe" and Text the word “safe” and your current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357). Within seconds, you will receive a message with the closest Safe Place site and phone number for the local youth agency. For immediate help, reply with “2chat” to text interactively with a trained counselor.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters Mobile Medical Van 

You can access medical services and survival aid on Bridge’s Mobile Medical Van. Please call (617) 423-9575 below for a schedule of van hours and locations.

Dress for Success enables women to break the cycle of poverty by empowering women to obtain safe and better futures. Dress for Success provides two opportunities to receive free  professional outfits: before a job interview and after obtaining a job. Dress for Success also offers groups on job training, employment retention, career advancement and leadership! If you are interested in being referred, please contact your Program Coordinator! 

Website: https://boston.dressforsuccess.org/client-services/

Rosie's Place is a multi-service community center in Boston that offers women emergency shelter and meals, and so much more: a food pantry, ESOL classes, legal assistance, wellness care, one-on-one support, housing and job search services, and community outreach. Here women will find support, opportunity and the tools they need to make a new start.

Website: https://www.rosiesplace.org/how-we-help/find-help

Advocacy Helpline: 617-318-0237

Email: info@rosiesplace.org

More Than Words is a youth-led online and retail bookselling business that provides paid employment for young adults to prepare for meaningful careers. MTW is a nonprofit job training program where you’ll learn important job skills and also get paid to develop and implement plans for your future including education, housing, and career plans. Youth work at MTW for 6-12 months and then graduate into the Career Services Program, where they are supported for an additional two years. Apply for MTW here.

Website: https://mtwyouth.org/what-we-do/jobs-for-youth/

Email: jobs@MTWyouth.org 

Phone: (781) 788-0035

Fenway Health offers both physical health care and behavioral health care to young people. Find out more information about each of their programs below:

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Fenway Behavioral Health

Fenway centers LGBTQIA+ people, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved communities to enable local, national, and global neighbors to flourish. Services include evaluation and referrals; counseling for myriad issues; in-person/virtual therapy and support groups; psychiatric evaluation and treatment; and daily acupuncture for alcohol and drug addiction. 

Website: https://fenwayhealth.org/care/behavioral-health/

Phone: (617) 927-6202

The Sidney Borum, Jr. Health Center at Fenway Health

The Sidney Borum, Jr. Health Center, affectionately known as the Borum, is a program of Fenway Health that provides safe, non-judgmental care for young people ages 12–29 who may not feel comfortable going anywhere else. No one is turned away – we’ll do whatever it takes to help you.

New Location: 142 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 

Website: https://fenwayhealth.org/info/locations/the-borum/

Phone: (617) 457-8140

MassHire provides many services to job seekers including career coaching, training and education, workshops, unemployment resources, and area hiring information. Young Adult Career Navigators are also available for FREE 30 minutes 1:1 coaching either virtually or in person and can be scheduled from the website below. 

Website: https://masshiredowntownboston.org/young-adults/

Phone: (617) 399-3100

Parenting Journey programs help mothers, fathers, and caregivers increase their confidence, capability, and resiliency – as individuals and as parents. While nurturing oneself and their children, each parent lays the groundwork for strong family relationships. In a Parenting Journey program, a small group of parents and caregivers meet for 2 hours a week for 12 or 14 weeks. Programs are free to join and in-person groups provide complimentary child-care and family style meals. 

Website: https://parentingjourney.org/parents/

Phone: 617-628-8815