Massachusetts Based Support
EDUCATION:
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Parents Helping Parents/Parental Stress Line: Toll-free, confidential helpline for parents who need to discuss issues related to their children. Trained volunteer counselors answer the Parental Stress Line and offer support, empathy, encouragement, information, referrals, and crisis intervention.
- Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community: A peer-run recovery learning center located in Boston near North Station and offers support groups, employment groups, gym access, and a library.
- New England Region of Narcotics Anonymous
- Identifying Subtle Signs of Drug Addiction: A detailed guide if you suspect you or a loved one has a drug addiction.
- Granite Recovery Centers: Drug detox, alcohol addiction rehab, and inpatient mental health treatment.
FOOD:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits help low-income families buy nutritious food at most grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies.
- Food Source Hotline (Project Bread): A toll-free hotline that is the only comprehensive statewide information and referral service in Massachusetts for people facing hunger and can connect you to food resources in your community.
HEALTH CARE:
- MassHealth: Program run by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides health care benefits for people living in MA who have low to no income. This includes Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
- Fenway Health Center: Fenway Health is a Community Health Center that specializes in care for the LGBTQ community.
- AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts: Largest provider of services to people living with HIV/AIDS and populations at risk of infection.
HOUSING:
- Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless: Provides several programs that assist people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of it.
- Massachusetts Housing Information and Rights
- General Guide to Finding Housing for Previously Incarcerated People
LEGAL:
EMPLOYMENT:
- Massachusetts Department of Labor & Workforce Development: Resources for individuals with criminal histories who are looking for assistance in finding employment.
- New England Center and Home for Veterans: Assist veteran individuals with criminal histories who are looking for job training and job placement.
- Tips for Getting a Job With a Criminal Record: A guide for navigating the job-hunting process when you have a criminal record.
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Assistance Programs for Massachusetts Residents: A resource guide created by The Commonwealth of Massachusetts for individuals who have exhausted or may soon exhaust their unemployment insurance claim.
TRANSPORTATION:
- “How to Ride the MBTA – The Basics”: This resource is designed to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to navigate the MBTA system efficiently and comfortably and is available in more than forty languages.
ADDITIONAL:
- More material is available in the “Coming Home Directory,” sponsored by the Gardiner Howland Shaw Foundation and published by the Crime and Justice Institute at Community Resources for Justice.
