Community Resources
Here you can find links to different resources in Western Mass. As more resources become available, they will be added here for convenience. If you cannot find a specific resource, please call us at (413) 276-6086 and we will assist you in finding the appropriate resource.
FOOD & GROCERY ASSISTANCE
Food Pantry Resources:
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https://www.foodbankwma.org/get-help/food-pantry-meal-program-schedule/
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Add our public Food Assistance Calendar to your calendar!
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Includes all food pantries, mobile food banks, senior brown bag, and meal site locations in Western Mass
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https://www.uwpv.org/food-security
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Call: 413-737-2691- Intake packet found under the Site information: United Way has locations in Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke
https://www.lorrainessoupkitchen.com/
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Call: 413-592-9528 - Address: 170 Pendexter Ave, Chicopee
Mobile Pantry:
Brown Bag Services For Elders:
Summer Food Program for Youth:
HOUSING AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Apply for Rental Assistance:
Homeowners Assistance Fund
FAMILY SHELTERS
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Family Housing Shelters by CHD
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Amherst, Holyoke, Palmer, Springfield, & South Hadley - Call 413-737-2679
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Family Shelter Program - Partners for Community - 11 Hampden Street, Springfield, MA
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Serves at-risk families in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
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To be considered eligible for family shelter, the head of household must first apply at their local Department of Transitional Assistance office.
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Get a referral from your local Department of Transitional Assistance to apply
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Congregate Emergency Family 24/7 Shelter Program - Email dlavalley@partnersforcommunity.org
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Emergency Assistance Family Shelter - 243 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA
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Apply on their website OR Email dlavalley@partnersforcommunity.org
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Call 866-584-0653
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This program serves families experiencing homelessness.
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VOC: Call 413-534-2466
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A referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development is required.
Must have one or more children in the household. -
FULL CAPACITY AT THIS TIME (updated 1/26/206)
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MEN'S SHELTERS
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Springfield Rescue Mission - 10 Mill Street, Springfield, MA - tel (413) 732-0808
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This program serves homeless men ages 18 and older.
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Please call the Rescue Mission to reserve a bed. Intake begins at 3 p.m. Showers are mandatory. Dinner is served at 5 p.m., and lights out are at 10 p.m. There is no leaving the facility after checking in. Breakfast is served at 7 a.m., and all guests must vacate the facility by 8 a.m. Guests are provided with nutritious meals, safe shelter, and hygiene items as well as clothing, counseling, and referrals to community resources as needed.
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Men's Emergency Shelter - Springfield Rescue Mission - 148 Taylor St, Springfield, MA - 413-732-0516
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Orange Street Shelter / Nurturing Fathers Program - Call 413-737-2679
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This shelter is only open to single fathers with children
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To enter the Orange Street Shelter, you must be referred by the Springfield Center Transitional Assistance Office (DTA).
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Hampden County, MA residents ONLY
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SHELTER FOR INDIVIDUALS
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Friends of the Homeless (FOH) - 755 Worthington St, Springfield, MA - 413-586-6001
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offers overnight shelters for adults 18+
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Call right at 9:30 a.m. to secure a place at the shelter; if they have space, they will hold your spot. If you call and aren’t able to secure housing one day, call again the next day at 9:30 a.m.
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Veterans Emergency & Transitional Housing - 425 North Main Street, Northampton, MA
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Get a referral from the Erie County Department of Health to get services. Call 413-207-7605
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This program helps people who are older than 17 years old
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This program serves veterans.
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Homeless Veterans Initiative - Call 877-426-2838
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Serves homeless veterans
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Samaritan Inn - 7 Free Street, Westfield, MA - Call 413-568-3122
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lodging for individuals struggling with homelessness
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The shelter costs $65 per week, due on Fridays at 11:00 a.m.
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Call on Mondays after 9:00 a.m. for availability each week.
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covers residents of the following counties: Hampden County, MA.
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Afiya Peer Respite- Wildflower Alliance - Transitional Housing
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Go to the program's website. Call 413-570-2990
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This program helps people who are older than 17 years old
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Must not be restricted from residing near a school.
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Must not have medical needs that you cannot manage on your own (outside support you arrange is welcome, but we cannot handle medication or provide other support)
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Must be able to prepare your own food or evacuate yourself in case of a fire.
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People who are living without a home are welcome at Afiya as long as they identify as being in emotional distress.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS
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YWCA - Call 800-796-8711
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This program helps victims of domestic violence and their children.
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covers residents of the following counties: Franklin County, MA, Hampden County, MA, and Hampshire County, MA.
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Alianza - Call 877-536-1628
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Alianza operates a confidential emergency shelter for women and children who are trying to escape from dangerous relationships.
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covers residents of the following counties: Franklin County, MA, Hampden County, MA, and Hampshire County, MA.
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Partner Abuse SafeHome - Call 800-832-1901
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provides an emergency safehome for survivors of partner abuse for up to 4 weeks stay
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Alternative House Emergency Shelter Services - Call 888-291-6228 - Website
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offers emergency, confidential shelter for survivors of domestic violence, regardless of race, religion, or gender.
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SHELTER FOR TEENS/YOUTH
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Safety Zone Emergency Shelter - Call 413-781-6556
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This program helps people who are 14 to 17 years old
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TeenLine Resource Drop-In by Dial/Self Youth & Community Services - 10 Main Street, Northampton, MA 0106
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Call 413-774-7054
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This program helps people who are younger than 25 years old
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SHELTERS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
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Women's Care by Little Flower Home
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Email lfh.for.moms@gmail.com
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This program serves only pregnant women.
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provides homeless pregnant women a safe place to stay at no cost, both before and after the birth of the baby. You will have a private room in a volunteer host family’s home or apartment
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COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
Mass 2-1-1 connects callers to information about the community's critical health and human services. It is a resource for finding government benefits and services, nonprofit organizations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is an easy way to find or give help in your community. Mass 2-1-1 responds immediately during a crisis, to field calls regarding the crisis, and to direct callers to services most appropriate for their needs. If you are unable to reach 2-1-1 due to your telephone or cell phone carrier, a toll-free number is available:
1-877-211-MASS (6277)
TTY for Hearing Impaired: 1-508-370-4890
413Care.org
Search for food, health, housing, employment programs, and much more.
Online Resource for Massachusetts Residents in Need of Basic Services
Find programs that provide basic needs resources, including food, housing, material goods, transportation, and temporary financial assistance, for low- and fixed-income individuals, the indigent, and elderly people with disabilities who are otherwise unable to provide for themselves and their families adequately.
3-1-1 City Trash & Bulk Pickup
Helpful Links
70 Tapley Street, Springfield, MA
(413) 736-3111
All mattresses and Box Springs to be picked up as part of the City Bulk Collection Services must be placed in plastic mattress bags. These disposal bags are available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, and through Amazon, as well as other retailers. If the mattresses and box springs are not properly placed in the bags, they will not be picked up. Mattress plastic bags that come with the purchase of a new mattress/box spring can be reused as long as they are 100% sealed with duct tape. This policy will remain in effect until rescinded by the Director of the Department of Public Works.
CLOTHING DONATION CENTERS
Open Pantry Community Services, Inc - People's Center
The clothing closet address is 287 State Street, Springfield, MA, 01105
The center is open for about 4 hours per day. The Hampden People's Center provides free, gently used clothing and other household goods to those in need. Items passed out can include winter coats, school backpacks for students, and professional work attire such as suits or dresses. Some basic furniture (kitchen utensils and simple furniture) may be offered too.
Providence Ministries for the Needy, Inc
The main address is 56 Cabot Street
Holyoke, Massachusetts, 01040
Call (413) 534-7610
This non-profit offers the St Jude's Clothing Center. It distributes affordable clothing and household items (furniture and appliances) to the needy for a small fee. There are some exceptions. For example, fire victims can receive items for free if they bring in a report.
Goodwill Thrift Stores
231 South Street, Holyoke, MA, dial 413-437-7947
971 Bridge Street, Northampton, Massachusetts, main phone 413-320-4911.
473 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA, 413-785-1579.
183 University Drive, Amherst, MA, main phone 413-835-0096
While this is a thrift store, the center may be able to provide some goods at an affordable price to the lowest-income seniors and people who qualify in Hampden County. Others will need to purchase items at the thrift store. The non-profit provides low-cost clothing, winter coats, and some household goods. Donations are always welcome as well, in particular around Christmas and the holidays when the need for help increases.
A charity known as Fresh Start covers Hampden County. Dial (508) 485-2080. They give out free stuff ranging from bedroom sets to computers (for work-at-home jobs or students). There are also appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines as well as couches, lamps, tables, and other gently used furniture items. A major focus is on the working poor and families with kids in the Springfield area.
Dress for Success - Western MA
https://suitupspringfield.com/
Suit Up Springfield is a non-profit (501c3) organization focused on providing the young men of the Springfield area with professional attire. Our goal is to help each individual find a suit that will give them the confidence, knowledge, and tools to help them become a successful member of our community.
Address: 139 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Store Hours: Fri 10:00 am-2:00 pm and Sat 10:00 am-12:30 pm
MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES AND HOTLINES
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
Call or Text: 833-773-2445
Behavioral Health Network
Call intake: 413-301-9355
Gandara Mental Health
https://www.gandaracenter.org/behavioral-health
Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center
2155 Main St & 85 St George Rd, Springfield
Call: 413-736-0395
DMH Related Organizations
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/related-organizations-and-resources
MHA- Mental Health Association
350 Memorial Drive
Chicopee, MA 01020
844-MHA-WELL
Phone: (413) 734-5376
TTY: (413) 785-5288
Fax: (413) 737-7949
The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults.
RECOVERY CENTERS AND SUPPORT GROUPS
An addiction recovery social network. Whether you’re sober, clean, or seeking help with your drug addiction or alcoholism, In the Rooms welcomes you and will connect you with other people who share your addiction, in your local area and all across the world!
LTC is a peer-led support network for families dealing with addiction and recovery. This non-profit network offers education, resources, peer support, and hope. LTC has grown to include over 10,000 members and has become a nationally recognized model for peer support and prevention programming. LTC is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA-DPH). For information on free, confidential, weekly online Zoom meetings, click here.
Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR)
MOAR’s mission is to educate the public about policy issues that are important to people in recovery.
The Massachusetts Peer Recovery Support Centers (PRSC) provide individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, as well as families and loved ones affected by addiction, an opportunity to both offer and receive support. These recovery-oriented sanctuaries, anchored in the heart of their communities, support multiple pathways, provide hope, and promote wellness.
Network of Care Massachusetts includes a directory of over 5,000 programs and organizations across the Commonwealth, searchable by keyword and zip code.
Helps to locate mental health, substance use, and related social services in the community to support good health and recovery.
The Helpline is the only statewide public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services. Helpline services are free and confidential. The Helpline’s caring, trained specialists will help you understand the treatment system and your options. Visit the Helpline website for additional information and ideas, or call 800-327-5050. Available 24/7, every day of the year.
MA ATR Access to Recovery
https://www.ma-atr.org/community-resources/
Massachusetts Access to Recovery (ATR) is a 6-month program for individuals who have a substance use disorder (SUD) and are seeking to change their lives. ATR empowers participants to create a recovery plan unique to their specific needs and connects them to various recovery support services for basic needs, recovery coaching, and job training. We partner with select community organizations and agencies to ensure our participants receive quality care.
CleanSlate Centers - 413-736-1458
1985 Main Street, Suite E
Springfield, MA 01103
CleanSlate has an outpatient addiction treatment center in Springfield, Massachusetts. They offer medication-assisted treatments to combat alcohol and opioid use disorders. CleanSlate has a CARF accreditation so you can trust that their program is reputable. They work with many insurers, including Adva-NET, Connecticare, Health New England, Medicaid, and more.
Springfield Comprehensive Treatment Center
511 East Columbus Avenue
Springfield, MA 01105
Springfield Comprehensive Treatment Center offers outpatient substance addiction services, specializing in opioid addiction for adults 18 and older. Their outpatient program is appropriate for those who want to live at home while receiving care and who don’t require an inpatient structure.
Carlson Recovery Center - 413-733-1431
471 Chestnut Street
Springfield, MA 01107
Carlson Recovery Center offers residential substance abuse treatment for adults 18 years and older in Springfield, Massachusetts. Most people remain in the center for a week, depending on their needs and progress.
Recovery Connection
281 Cottage St
Springfield, MA 01104
Alcoholism
Most alcohol rehab in Massachusetts consists of individual counseling and group therapy sessions, which address mental and emotional concerns that are contributing to alcohol use. Treatment helps participants make changes to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse.