General - All Towns

If you are experiencing anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, emotional outbursts, or a substance use crisis, you can call the Mental Health Access line at anytime during the day or night.

24/7 Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline: 877-785-2020

If you are having a domestic violence crisis, call the hotline. If you are in immediate danger, call 911

During regular office hours, Mondays - Fridays, 9a.m. - 5p.m. call 617-623-5900 to speak with someone at https://www.respondinc.org/.

24/7 Suicide Helpline: Call/Text 988 or 888-628-9454

Open 24 Hours.

The Suicide Helpline has volunteers who will listen to you and support you in whatever feelings you want to share. You do not need to disclose your name if you don't feel comfortable.

For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Veterans: call 988 or text 838255.

Contact Samaritans via text or phone: https://samaritanshope.org/

Childcare and Family Support

Mass 211: https://mass211.org/childcare

To access the Massachusetts childcare subsidy

RESPOND Inc: https://www.respondinc.org/

A domestic violence prevention agency that offers confidential help, including shelter and housing.

Elliot Family Resource Center: https://www.eliotchs.org/family-resource-center/

Housing, education, utility assistance, legal help, summer camps, sports leagues, and more. Includes support of CRA (Child Requiring Assistance) cases and has a school liaison.

Economic Assistance

Massachusetts Economic Assistance: https://www.mass.gov/economic-assistance-cash-benefits

How to get cash benefits from the state of MA

Department of Transitional Assisstance: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance

Assists and empowers low-income individuals and families. Visit the Malden DTA Office at 245 Commercial Street, Malden, or call (781) 338-7300 - can help with rental assistance and connect you to SNAP/other food resources

Worker's Assistance

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): 617-565-6924

Dial 8 for Spanish, Dial 9 for Portuguese

Vocational Rehabilitation: https://www.mass.gov/vocational-rehabilitation

Immigrant Worker Center: https://masscosh.org/programs/immigrant-worker-center/

Brazilian Worker Center: https://braziliancenter.org/

Brazilian Women’s Group: https://www.verdeamarelo.org/bwg/services/

Chinese Progressive Association: cpaboston.org/en/programs/workers-center

Health

Cambridge Health Alliance: https://www.challiance.org/patients-visitors/insurance-and-financial-assistance

Or, call 617-665-1100

They help with providing appointments, applying for insurance - including Mass Health, and financial assisstance in a variety of languages

Health Care for All: https://hcfama.org/health-insurance-help/

Or call 1-800-272-4232.

A help line for all health coverage needs.

Apply for MASS Health: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-masshealth-the-health-safety-net-or-the-childrens-medical-security-plan

Health Connector: https://www.mahix.org/individual/

Mass's marketplace for health and dental insurance

Mental Health and Addiction

Behavioral Health Line: 833-773-2445

Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC): https://www.challiance.org/services-programs/mental-health-and-substance-use/psychiatry-crisis-services

Elliot Community Behavioral Health Center: https://www.eliotchs.org/cbhc/

Asian Women for Health: https://asianwomenforhealth.org/

Brazilian Center: braziliancenter.org/health-and-wellness-initiatives

Casa Esperanza: https://www.casaesperanza.org/

Behavioral healthcare for Latine communities

HW Migrants: https://www.hwmigrants.org/

Culturally responsive care to migrant populations

Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers: https://maps-inc.org/

CASPAR (Cambridge and Somerville Programs for Addiction Recovery): https://baycovehumanservices.org/caspar

Offers multiple services including gender-specific transitional and recovery housing, crisis stabilization, community supports, treatment, and outreach. CASPAR also serves children and adults with developmental delays or disabling conditions.

Institute for Health and Recovery: https://www.healthrecovery.org/page/get-help-now

Supports a continuum of care for families and individuals affected by drug use, trauma, and mental health challenges. The Institute for Health and Recovery offers outpatient behavioral health care and other resources.

Addiction Recovery Meetings:

- Virtual Resources for Recovery (via Malden Overcoming Addiction)
- Staying Cyber – AA Meetings on the WW
- Never Alone Club – Online NA meeting everyday
- Virtual NA, NA meetings online and by phone
- https://aa-intergroup.org/
- State substance use & prevention resources: www.mass.gov/topics/substance-use-prevention
- AA meetings in Massachusetts: https://sober.com/aa-meetings/massachusetts/

Food Insecurity

Women, Infants, Children Nutrition: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-the-women-infants-children-wic-nutrition-program

Map to Community Fridges and Food Pantries: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=42.40362550000003%2C-71.12412879999998&z=13&mid=1ldz1Y5R_7F_8nMdE5zOT4NK2Fz-pMgNP

Bread of Life: https://www.breadoflifemalden.org/how-we-help

Residents of any community can access services such as the Malden Food Pantry, Family Care Pantry, and evening meals at various locations in Malden.

Get Help Directory | Project Bread: https://projectbread.org/get-help

Project Bread connects people in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food. Use this directory for food resources and assistance, and call the food source hotline at (800) 645-8333 for assistance in 180 languages.

Start with SNAP: http://startwithsnap.org/

A resource for Massachusetts residents to make it easier to get and keep SNAP.

Fuel Assistance

Utility assistance for residents: https://bostonabcd.org/service/fuel-assistance/

If you make up to 60% of the median income for a household of your size, you are eligible for financial assistance with your winter utility bill. The income boundaries are listed on the table of this website

Important: the bottom of this page has links to know your rights flyers in several languages. Utility companies are not allowed to cut off services if anyone in the household is older than 65, younger than 1, or sick with a long or short term physical or mental illness. For households facing economic difficulties, service cannot be cut off at all in the winter months.

The link to apply: https://www.toapply.org/MassHEAP

Immigration

MIRA (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition): https://www.miracoalition.org/

Greater Boston Legal Services (Immigration Unit): https://www.gbls.org/our-work/immigration

197 Friend Street

Boston, MA 02114

(617) 371-123

(800) 323-3205

Family Welcome Center: https://braziliancenter.org/family-welcome-center/

Provides assistance and resources (including emergency housing) to new arrivals from many countries.

Rian Immigrant Center: https://www.riancenter.org/

Legal services, english classes, visa programs, community, and more!

Pathway for Immigrant Workers: https://www.myimmigrantpathway.org/

Legal Services, Green Card sponsorship, and legal assistance for detainment.

Housing Support

Housing Families: http://housingfamilies.org/get-help/

Referral-only program through the Department of Housing and Community Development

Boston ABCD: https://bostonabcd.org/service_categories/housing/

Workshops, referrals, counseling, and rental assistance.

Employment Assistance

Department of Unemployment Assisstance: http://mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance

Triangle Inc: https://triangle-inc.org/about/

Opportunities and programming for those with disabilites.

Mass Hire: https://masshiremncareers.com/

Operation ABLE: https://operationable.net/

Boston Re-Employment Center: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/welcome-to-the-boston-re-employment-center-rec#services-offered-at-the-re-employment-center-

Legal Resources

Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/communications-and-community-engagement/somerviva-office-immigrant-affairs

To help people who need immediate (emergency) legal assistance.

De Novo Center for Justice and Healing: https://www.denovo.org/immigration

Free civil legal assistance; legal representation, education, advocacy.

Rian Immigrant Center: https://www.riancenter.org/

Provides free legal consultation and case representation. They also provide resources needed to attain legal status, secure work authorization, reunite families, and guide people through the citizenship application process.

Project Citizenship: https://projectcitizenship.org/

Free workshops, eligibility screening, application assistance, legal referrals, and help with all materials needed to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Greater Boston Legal Services: https://www.gbls.org/

Free legal assistance and legal representation for all civil matters. They also help with legal paperwork.

Catholic Charities Boston: https://www.ccab.org/refugee-immigrant-services/immigrant-legal-services/

Free education sessions about Immigration Court and know your rights information, as well as paid legal consultations.

The Mayor's Office For Immigrant Advancement: https://www.boston.gov/departments/immigrant-advancement/free-immigration-consultations

Free one-time immigration consultations for legal advice and information.

When: On the first and third Wednesday of every month from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Pathway for Immigrant Workers: https://www.myimmigrantpathway.org/about-us

Legal services for detained individuals.

Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative: https://miracoalition.org/massachusetts-massachusetts-access-to-counsel-initiative-maci/

Legal services for both detained and non-detained individuals.

Habeas Project: Email immigrationhabeasproject@gmail.com for assistance.

Help people's employers sponsor their green card.

Lawyers for Civil Rights: Call 617-988-0606 for assistance.

Free hotline to provide information and legal advice.

PAIR Project: https://www.pairproject.org/gethelp

Email or call for assistance: detention@pairproject.org or 617-742-9296

Free or low-cost legal assistance for detained individuals.

Hours of operation: 11am-3pm

Additional Legal Resources

Never pay for immigration forms! They can be found here for free: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms

Information about avoiding immigration scams in MA: https://www.mass.gov/guides/avoiding-immigration-scams-and-finding-legal-help

Information about avoiding immigration scams and fraud (in multiple languages): https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/scams-against-immigrants

This website explains how to find an immigration lawyer: https://www.informedimmigrant.com/resources/legal-help/how-to-find-an-immigration-lawyer/

How to check if someone is a real lawyer: https://www.massbbo.org/s/

Learn more about the rights afforded to immigrants under state law and resources available to immigrant communities in Massachusetts. Resources for immigrants in MA: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/resources-for-immigrants-in-massachusetts#avoiding-unauthorized-practice-of-immigration-law-upil

Resources and Factsheets from MA Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition: https://miracoalition.org/news/category/resources/

This website explains commonly used immigration terminology. Immigration language guide: https://miracoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/MIRAs-Language-Guide-8.5x11-printable.pdf

This website has information about MIRA’s Immigration Helpline open to MA residents. They cannot give legal advice or representation but they can share helpful information and resources: https://miracoalition.org/news/immigration-helpline/

Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN): Organization that provides accompaniment, which can include support in court or at ICE check-ins, legal referrals, fundraising for bond or legal fees, letters of support from the community, rides for families to visit loved ones in detention, and logistical assistance with paperwork or bond payments, and more. They also help with housing, transportation, and other immediate needs of people released on bond who have no other resources in the community.

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