Community Resource Guide

Are you or someone you know a member of the Jewish community who is having trouble covering even basic expenses?

Yad Chessed’s experienced staff can help you navigate available options, match resources to your personal needs, and help you achieve financial stability. Call us at 781-487-2693.

If you’d like to explore community programs and services on your own, we’ve created this online guide. Remember that your best resources may be close to home:

  • Call or visit your town hall or look at your town’s website. There may be special funds or services unique to your area, and they may have guides to organizations and agencies that provide help to people who are struggling financially.
  • If you have children, the school social worker or guidance counselor may be helpful.
  • If you’re over 62 or disabled, your town’s senior center or Council on Aging may be an excellent resource.
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Fresh food Fair Foods FairFoods.org 617-282-6185 $2 bags of fresh foods distributed in various area locations (see website). NO ID or signup required
Food — nonprofit grocery store Daily Table Grocery Store DailyTable.org 617-506-0219 low-priced groceries, including fresh food; free parking. 450 Washington Street, Dorchester 02124
Find food pantries and food other resources near you Project Bread Hotline ProjectBread.org 1-800-645-8333
Boston-area Jewish community food pantry Family Table n/a 781-647-5327 Call for information on eligibility and locations
Find out about eligibility and applying for SNAP (“food stamps”) benefits Project Bread / Getting SNAP GettingFoodStamps.org 1-800-645-8333 Online chat also available
Low-priced meals for older adults and people with disabilities Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs n/a 1-800-882-2003 Find local meals-on-wheels and congregate meal programs
School-based meals for kids (including summers) n/a meals4kids.org n/a
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Eligibility and application information for government utility assistance Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Cold Relief Heatline n/a 1-800-632-8175
Eligibility and application information for privately funded utility assistance Citizens Energy Corp CitizensEnergy.com 1-877-563-4645
Eligibility and application information for privately funded utility assistance Mass. Good Neighbor Energy Fund MaGoodNeighbor.org 1-800-334-3047
Information on resources in your area Your local Regional Community Action Agency (CAA) MassCap.org n/a Click on “agencies and services” to find the CAA near you
Help if your utility company is uncooperative in creating a payment plan Mass. Department of Public Utilities n/a 1-877-886-5066
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Information on immediate shelter Mass. Coalition for the Homeless MAhomeless.org n/a On website, click on the “Get Help” tab for contact information of shelter options
Housing-related assistance in your area Mass. Housing Consumer Education Centers RegionalHousing.net 1-800-244-5124 Education & assistance, including for those at risk of losing their homes
People in Boston or Cambridge who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Homestart, Inc. Homestart.org Boston: 617-542-0338; Cambridge: 617-234-5340 On website, click on “Contact” for locations and walk-in hours
Domestic violence: emergency housing & other assistance Safelink (at Casa Myrna) CasaMyrna.org 24-hour hotline: 1-877-785-2020
Older adults: housing options CJP Senior Direct cjpSeniorDirect.com 1-800-980-1982 Education & assistance with housing — from independent living to assisting living & skilled nursing facilities
Older adults: foreclosure prevention for those in low to moderate-income range H.O.M.E. ElderHomeowners.org 1-800-583-5337 See website for age and income requirements
Older adults: affordable and subsidized non-sectarian supportive housing Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE) jche.org 617-912-8400 Note: waiting lists for most units; on the website, click on the “Living at JCHE” tab
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Suicide prevention Mass. Samaritans Suicide Prevention 24-Hour Hotline SamaritansHope.org 877-870-4673 From 3-11 PM, a texting option is available; see website for special options for teens and college students
Find a therapist SWTR Therapy Referral Service TherapyMatcher.org n/a Find a therapist who matches your needs and takes your insurance
Online mental health info for men Mass Men MassMen.org n/a Mental health information and resources for men
Countrywide 24-hour mental health helpline and referral service SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) samhsa.gov 1-800-662-4357 Info and referrals related to mental health and addiction
Info on navigating the mental healthcare system in Mass. NAMI’s (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Mass. Helpline namimass.org 1-800-370-9085 For caregivers, family members, and those experiencing mental health issues
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Assistance finding affordable insurance in Mass. Healthcare for All’s Insurance Helpline phone only 1-800-272-4232
Healthcare hotline State of Massachusetts mahealthconnector.org 1-877-623-6765 Mass Health Connector includes info on walk-in centers
Low-cost or free health & dental care in your area NeedyMeds needymeds.org n/a Click on the “Patient Savings” tab, choose Free/Low Cost/Sliding Scale Clinics; they also have info on prescription discounts available through medication manufacturers: use the “Patient Savings” tab and choose “Prescription Assistance.”
Research fair price for medical & dental procedures Healthcare Blue Book HealthcareBlueBook.com n/a
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Employment help and job training in and near Boston JVS Career Solutions careersolution.org 617-399-3131, Press 5
Find employment help in your area Massachusetts Career Centers mass.gov/portal n/a Type “one stop” in the Search field and then choose “find a career center near you”
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Legal Resource Finder Mass Legal Services MassLegalServices.org online only Finds legal resources and services that are free or low-cost
Legal information and referral service Legal Resource Finder at Mass Legal Help masslegalhelp.org n/a Click on “Find Legal Aid” & choose “Lawyer Referral Services”
Low-income legal help (non-criminal) Greater Boston Legal Services gbls.org 1-800-323-3205 Choose “Get Legal Help” and then “Can GBLS Help Me?”
Online legal help State of Massachusetts mass.gov online onlyl Online chat or email a law librarian
Low-income legal help (non-criminal) in Metrowest Metrowest Legal Services mwlegal.org 1-800-696-1501 Choose the “Get Legal Help” tab
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Resources & information CJP Senior Direct cjpseniordirect.com 1-800-980-1982 Guidance on issues including (but not limited to) affordable housing, transportation, health care, food & home care services
Elder service agency in your area Mass. gov’t. info on aging 800ageinfo.com 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) Click on “find your regional elder care agency”
Community-based services for older adults and those with disabilities Mass Options massoptions.org 1-844-422-6277 Options for info via online chat or email
Find local meals-on-wheels and congregate meals for older adults Mass. gov’t. senior nutrition programs information n/a 1-800-882-2003
Help choosing Medicare & Medicaid insurance Mass. SHINE Program n/a 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) and press 3 You can make an appointment for in-person help
Affordable non-sectarian supportive housing Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE) jche.org 617-912-8400 Note: waiting lists for most units; on the website, click on the “Living at JCHE” tab
Need Organization / Program Website Phone Other Information
Domestic violence hotline: emergency & other assistance Safelink at Casa Myrna casamyrna.org 24 hour hotline: 1-877-785-2020 Including (but not limited to) help with safety planning & emergency housing
Domestic violence: non-emergency services Journey to Safety at Jewish Family & Children’s Services n/a 781-693-1213 (NOT a hotline; open business hours) Including (but not limited to) counseling, safety planning, and support groups