Contact Crystal, Advisor, any time at 774-224-4420 or crystalgniadekalc@gmail.com with questions about community resources.

What assistance do you need?

RESOURCE ASSISTANCE

• • Worcester Family Resource Center: Call 508-796-1411. 

    • • The Family Resource Center is a great centralized “hub” for community resources and support.  This is an excellent place to refer your students regardless of whether they may benefit from one or many community resource programs. Undocumented student can be referred.

        • • Transportation assistance: $50/month Lyft vouchers available + Lyft vouchers to get to COVID-19 vaccine appointment

          • Help with issues like food and housing, and connect you to other community resources. 

          • Case management for families who need additional support, such as getting SNAP benefits.  

          • You don’t need to live in Worcester to get help. 

          • If families are struggling to access food pantries/stores because of COVID-19, disability, or transportation, they may be able to help as well.

      • The link below is a referral from you and/or your student can fill out and submit, a caseworker will then reach out: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PUEgwc93Vebeq7RvUrnFicy_mhQND56W/view

• Centro: http://www.centroinc.org 

• Searchable Database of Free or Reduced Cost Services: www.communityhelp.net/

• General Assistance in Massachusetts: Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211.org for information on food, housing, health insurance, and other resources.

• Benefits Available Regardless of Immigration Status: Download here

FOOD ASSISTANCE

• • Food Resource Map: https://w-p-i.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=cf8c140c4a7248b5a7a5f8029033caae 

  • WPS Meal Schedule: https://worcesterschools.org/current-families/menus-nutrition/

  • Hot Meal Assistance: Free Meal Delivery Program for COVID-19 Positive Families

  • Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline : Call 1-800-645-8333 or online www.projectbread.org/news-and-events/news/covid-19-hunger-food.html 

  • Worcester County Food Bank Directory: foodbank.org/find-food/

  • Food Pantries:  

    • • worcesterschools.org/student-support/worcester-food-pantries/

      • Worcester Food Pantry List (updated 3/24/20)

      • Immigration status should not hinder access to food pantries, and it does not affect public charge.

  • Pandemic - Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT): www.map-ebt.org/ 

  • SNAP Benefits: 

    • • Get help with your SNAP application: www.gettingsnap.org 

      • Apply for SNAP and Cash Benefits through DTA Connect: dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov/ 

  • Worcester WIC Program: www.mass.gov/locations/worcester-wic-program-main-clinic 

GENERAL

• Worcester Public Library: Free classes in a variety of subjects

CITIZENSHIP 

• ***NEW***U.S. Citizenship Study Group (Tuesdays 10-11am, 10wks, starting October 4th): Must register and commit to all 10 wks. Classes are on ZOOM. Space is limited. click here for more information on how to register 

• ***NEW***Citizenship Clinic (November 12, 2022): Free immigration legal workshop to assist permanent residents in their applications to become US citizens: Click here for more information 

• Catholic Charities Citizenship Assistance and Education Program: www.ccworc.org/services/refugee-citizenship-immigration-services/

• Resource  Center:  www.uscis.gov/ citizenship/learn-about-citizenship

• Study Materials: www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources

• Practice Tests and Resources: www.test-guide.com/free-citizenship-practice-tests.html

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

• • Get Help: communitylegal.org/get-help/ 

  • Self-Help Resources: communitylegal.org/get-help/online-resources/ 

  • Call Community Legal Aid’s intake line at 855.CLA.LEGAL (855.252.5342) if you are denied benefits or believe you have faced discrimination. You may also apply online at www.communitylegal.org. 

UNEMPLOYMENT

• • How to File a Claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits: www.worcesterma.gov/uploads/71/97/71979c9ec00f15bf0d03dd8b1a97dfb3/unemployment-pamphlet.pdf 

  • Apply for Unemployment Insurance Online: www.mass.gov/unemployment-insurance-ui-online 

    • • For assistance with filing an online Unemployment Insurance claim, CALL 855-CLA-LEGAL (852-252-5342) OR apply online communitylegal.org/get-help/how-get-help. 

      • For immigrants: You can apply for unemployment benefits so long as you have authorization to work in the United States. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. You will have to provide documentation of your work authorization and Social Security number. Getting unemployment benefits does not count as a “public charge” for immigration benefits. If you are not sure whether you can apply for unemployment benefits, please call CLA for information 855-CLA-LEGAL (852-252-5342).

INTERNET

• • Low-Cost Internet Options: https://www.everyoneon.org/find-offers 

  • Programs Available to Help Make Internet Service More Affordable: www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/are-there-government-programs-to-help-me-get-internet-service 

HOUSING AND UTILITIES

• • Free Smoke Detector Installation: https://americanredcross.wufoo.com/forms/z16xt76m0b84iua/ 

  • Home Heating Assistance: https://www.wcac.net/fuel-assistance/ 

  • Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance: https://www.cmhaonline.org/raft-erma-home 

  • Rental Assistance: Click here for more information.

  • Rent Assistance: Please contact CMHA’s Housing Counseling staff at: hc@cmhaonline.org, or call: 774-243-3813 to find out how to take advantage of RAFT assistance, or contact RCAP at 800-488-1969.

CLOTHING

• • All Saints Episcopal Church—Thursday Cafe
    10 Irving Street
    508-752-3766
    Thursdays 12:30 – 2:30 pm

  • Andy's Attic
    South High Community School
    170 Apricot Street
    508-799-3325 ext. 50599

  • Grace Closet
    Net of Compassion
    674 Main Street
    508-322-1363

HEALTHCARE AND INSURANCE

• • ***NEW***Ronald McDonald Care Mobile: FREE medical services and preventive dental care-To make and appointment call 508-334-6073 or  click here to learn more 

  • MA Health Connector: www.mahealthconnector.org/  

  • How to Apply for Masshealth: www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-masshealth-the-health-safety-net-or-the-childrens-medical-security-plan

  • Free Medical Clinic:

    • • English - mutualaidworcester.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/2020-03-21clinicposter.pdf 

      • Spanish - mutualaidworcester.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/2020-03-21clinicposter.pdf 

SAFETY AND WELLNESS

• • When You Need to Talk to Someone: www.worcesterma.gov/coronavirus/assistance

    • • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

      • Substance Abuse/Mental Health Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

      • Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

      • Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

      • YWCA Domestic Hotline: 508-755-9030 or visit their Live Chat

      • Safelink Domestic/Dating Violence: 1-877-785-2020

      • Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741

      • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

  • Parent Support: Parent Stress Helpline and Other Resources

  • Stress and Coping: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html 

DRIVING IN MASSACHUSETTS

• • Getting a Driver's License in MA Overview

  • First Step: Apply for a Learner's Permit

  • MA Driver's Manual

  • ***NEW***2023 MA Driver's Manual in English: https://driving-tests.org/massachusetts/ma-rmv-drivers-handbook-manual/

  • ***NEW***2023 MA Driver's Manual in Spanish: https://driving-tests.org/massachusetts/ma-drivers-manual-spanish/

  • ***NEW***2023 MA Permit Practice Test: https://driving-tests.org/massachusetts/massachusetts-dmv-practice-test/

COVID

• ***NEW***Stop the Spread: (September2022)  Covid testing dates and times. Vaccines also available. Click here for more information 

RE-ENTRY

• https://worcestercountysheriff.com/services/inmate-rehabilitation-programs/re-entry-reintegration/ 

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