Free Public Assistance

We have provided all of the Massachusetts Free Public Assistance and programs.

Boston Irs Employees Assistance Fund      PO Box 9112 Boston, MA 02203
Boston Public Library Foundation, Inc.     (617)247-8980 Boston Public Library Foundation Boston, MA 02116 website: http://www.bplf.com The mission of the Boston Public Library is to preserve and provide access to the historical record of our society and to serve the cultural, educational and informational needs of the people of the City and the Commonwealth. The mission of the Boston Public Library Foundation is to raise public and private funds to support the revitalization and enhanced visibility of the Boston Public Library.
Boston Women's Fund, Inc.      14 Beacon St Boston, MA 02108 website: http://www.bostonwomensfund.org In 1984, when BWF was founded, less than 1% of all foundation funding went to programs by and for women and girls. Today, after 25 years, foundation funding for women and girls hovers between 3% and 6% of total grant-making. Only 5% of private donations is directed to programs dedicated to progressive social change. We still are the only grant-making organization in Greater Boston specifically directing funds to programs led by women and girls.BWF grant-making and other programming goes beyond addressing immediate needs only, to generate long-lasting solutions which benefit all women and the community as a whole. We support women in taking an active role in controlling our resources and meeting community needs. Our programs in the areas of grantee capacity-building, collaboration, education, and advocacy are dedicated to expanding the leadership and impact of women and girls working for racial, social, and economic justice.
Capital Link Inc     (617)422-0350 Capital Link Boston, MA 02116 website: http://www.caplink.org Capital Link works to assist health centers in their efforts to expand community-based health care.
First Literacy, Inc.     (617)482-3336x10 160 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116 website: http://firstliteracy.org The essence of First Literacy is our belief in the power and possibility of literacy for all. Literacy is essential for individual achievement and community progress. The transformative power of literacy opens life-long opportunities for adults; and these adults, enriched by their increased education, can model the attitudes necessary for educational success for their children. Children's educational achievement and the health and productivity of our society depend on increasing adults' educational levels. Yet in Boston there are over 6,500 adults on waiting lists for a seat in a literacy classroom. These adults who have taken steps in improve their lives and their children's futures must wait - sometimes as long as three years until a place opens for them. Every day they wait is a lost opportunity for them, their families, and our society. We hope our programs can change this.
Greater Boston Legal Services, Inc.     (617)371-1234 197 Friend St Boston, MA 02114 website: http://www.gbls.org Often legal advocacy it the only recourse remaining for low-income individuals to secure some of the basic necessities of life which have been illegally or inappropriately denied such as freedom from abuse, access to permanent or emergency shelter, subsistence income or earned wages. Since its founding in 1900, GBLS has been committed to providing free legal assistance to low-income families and individuals. Approximately 75% of GBLS' clients are women and 25% are elders. In order to remain true to its mission of providing a full range of advocacy options to all classes of low-income people, in 1996 GBLS withdrew as a recipient of federal Legal Services Corporation funding due to new Congressional restriction on serving immigrants and prohibiting certain types of representation.
Green Roundtable Inc      38 Chauncy St Boston, MA 02111 website: http://www.greenroundtable.org The Green Roundtable, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and support healthy, efficient and sustaining development and building projects through strategic outreach, education, policy advocacy and technical assistance.
Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion     (617)927-1707 405 Shawmut Ave Boston, MA 02118 website: http://www.iba-etc.org Mission: Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA) is a dynamic community building agency dedicated to increasing the social and economic power of individuals and families through education, economic development, technology and arts programming that builds safe, vibrant and culturally diverse affordable housing communities. History The predominantly Puerto Rican residents of Parcel 19, a South End community whose existence was threatened by urban renewal, established IBA in 1968. Rallying to the cry, No nos mudaremos de la Parcela 19 (We shall not be moved from Parcel 19), the residents conducted a multi-year campaign that won them the right to control the redevelopment process of their community. The result was the creation of Villa Victoria, a 765-unit low and moderate-income neighborhood which today houses more than 3,000 residents. IBA is proud to be considered one of the most successful community development models in the United States and was recently honored by the Fannie Mae Foundation's Awards for Affordable Housing Excellence. Target Population Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion's primary target population is the residents of Villa Victoria-a predominantly Latino (72%) affordable housing community of 3000 residents in the South End of Boston. In this community, 80% of residents live at or below the national poverty level with an average gross family income of $16,286; almost 50% of residents are 21 years old or younger and 77% of households are headed by women.
International Bridges To Justice      198 Tremont St Boston, MA 02116 website: http://www.ibj.org In recognition of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Bridges to Justice, as a non-government and non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the basic legal rights of ordinary citizens in Asia. Specifically, IBJ works to guarantee the rights of all citizens to competent legal representation, to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment, and to a fair trial. To this end, IBJ works to support and enhance governmental legal efforts in Asia to protect citizen rights and implement existing criminal laws through providing training partnerships, legal and administrative structural support and material assistance.
Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault And Domestic V     (617)248-0922 14 Beacon St Boston, MA 02108 website: http://www.janedoe.org Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence brings together organizations and people committed to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. JDI creates social change by addressing the root causes of this violence and promotes safety, justice and healing for survivors. JDI advocates for responsive public policy, raises awareness, promotes collaboration and supports its member organizations to provide comprehensive prevention and intervention services. We are guided by the voices of survivors.
Massachusetts Legal Assistance     (617)3678544 7 Winthrop Square Boston, MA 02110 website: http://www.mlac.org The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) providesleadership and support to improve civil legal services to low-incomepeople in Massachusetts through collaboration with the legal servicescommunity, the public, the bar, and the legislature.
Multicultural Aids Coalition, Inc.     1800-382-1MAC 801B Tremont St Boston, MA 02118 website: http://www.mac-boston.org The MAC is a non-profit minority community-based organization committed to the delivery of HIV/AIDS related prevention, education and intervention services for communities of color. We emphasize intervention strategies to promote individual and community empowerment and institutional capacity building. The MAC is committed to these strategies for effective prevention, advocacy and public policy development in the fight against HIV/AIDS disease.
Rosie's Place, Inc.     (617)442-9322 889 Harrison Ave Boston, MA 02118 website: http://www.rosies.org Founded in 1974, Rosie's Place is the first drop in center and emergency housing for women in the United States. In addition to providing for the immediate needs of food, shelter, and clothing, Rosie's Place is steadfast in its commitment to create permanent solutions through advocacy, housing, education, healthcare and more. We work to find individualized solutions, treating each woman with the utmost respect and offering unconditional love and support. By building trusting relationships with our guests, we help them realize their dreams.
Saint Francis House, Inc.      39 Boylston St Boston, MA 02116 website: http://www.stfrancishouse.org St. Francis House was founded in 1984, with a mission to care for those who cannot help themselves, and to assist those who are able to take steps to move themselves up and out of poverty, unemployment, and homelessness to functional lives of self-respect and hope. The origin of the organization dates back to 1981, when the Franciscan community opened a soup kitchen in downtown Boston. As demand for the bread line's services climbed, community and religious leaders called for the creation of a center where services could be offered to the poor, the homeless, and the disenfranchised. St. Francis House's early responses to homelessness focused on emergency services -providing basic necessities of food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. But the problem of homelessness was far too complex to be solved by emergency measures alone.
The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, Inc.      75 Kneeland Street Boston, MA 02111 website: http://www.massfund.org The Fund is dedicated to increasing the strength and reisliency of the family members whose loved ones were injured or died in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. We provide support and direct financial assistance to families of victims who had ties to Massachusetts, New Hampshire or Rhode Island. We coordinate the provision of services for the exclusive benefit of these families.The Fund works closely with individuals who lost someone dear to them on 9/11: a spouse, a child, a sibling, a parent. Nationally it has been estimated that more than 80% of the lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were the primary wage earners for their families.Specific funds are raised for the direct support of families. Administrative expenses are paid only from donations solicited solely for this purpose.
Third Sector New England, Inc.     (617)523-6565 89 South St. Boston, MA 02111 website: http://www.tsne.org Third Sector New England provides information and services to build the knowledge, power, and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations that engage people in community and public life. We act also to promote wider recognition of community-based organizations as the primary stewards of our core societal values. The ultimate intention of our work is to create a more just and democratic society.
Wastecap Of Massachusetts, Inc.     (617)236-7715 376 Boylston St Boston, MA 02116 website: http://www.wastecap.org WasteCap of Massachusetts is the statewide, non-profit, public/private partnership working with the business community to develop and implement cost-effective programs for recycling, buying recycled, reuse, and waste reduction.
Yad Chessed Charity Fund      46 Columbia St Brookline, MA 02446 website: http://www.yadchessed.org Yad Chessed Charity Fund helps needy people primarily in the Boston area. The Fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants, monthly food certificates, or loans. In the case of a grant, we do not give money directly to the individual, but instead will pay a bill on their behalf for such necessities as food, heat, rent, etc.
A Helping Paw Inc      PO Box 387 Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 website: http://www.ahelpingpaw.org Providing shelter, medical care and lots of love to homeless animals who have been abandoned or thrown away. Offering financial assistance for spay/neuter in an effort to reduce euthanization of healthy pets. Provide public education in an effort to make more people aware of the tragedy of the suffering animals must endore due to the lack of good homes and unwanted births. Through education increase the human/animal bond so animals and their owners will both lead happier healthier lives.
Center For Effective Philanthropy Inc     (617)492-0800 675 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA 02139 website: http://www.effectivephilanthropy.org
Food For Free Committees, Inc.      11 Inman St Cambridge, MA 02139 website: http://www.foodforfree.org Food For Free serves people who are food insecure--lacking consistent access to enough food to meet their nutritional needs, and dependent on resources such as pantries and meal programs to avoid going hungry. We do this by rescuing fresh produce from local farms, wholesalers, and grocery stores and distributing it through the emergency food system where it can reach those at risk of hunger.
Harborcov Inc      PO Box 505754 Chelsea, MA 02150 website: http://www.harborcov.org HarborCOV works to end domestic abuse through community development. We provide culturally relevant services, information and resources, and collaborate extensively to promote the development of community-defined solutions to ending violence. HarborCOV fulfills its mission by providing safety and support to those affected by abuse, civic engagement, and leadership development. Services include 24/7 hotline, multi-lingual individual and group advocacy, legal, economic, children and teen programs, and emergency, transitional and permanent affordable housing. Strong collaborations with local resident, business and government partners enhance HarborCOV's capacity to effectively address individual needs, connecting them with community support networks to improve safety and stability at home, in the workplace and within the community as a whole. Participant- focused advocacy places survivors' needs at the center of HarborCOV's mission and our community- organizing approach fosters indigenous leadership development and a broad sense of community ownership. This strategy will ultimately change the attitudes and inequality underlying violence and foster healthy homes, neighborhoods and communities.
The B E L L Foundation Inc      60 Clayton St Dorchester, MA 02122 website: http://www.bellnational.org/ The mission of BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) is to increase the educational achievements, self esteem and life opportunities of children living in under-resourced, urban communities.
The Open Door Place Of Hospitality, Inc.      28 Emerson Avenue Gloucester, MA 01930 We are a non-profit, community-supported, charitable organization committed to feeding the hungry of Cape Ann. Our mission is to alleviate hunger in the communities of Cape Ann. We accomplish this by providing free meals and food in a hospitable environment, providing advocacy on behalf of the disadvantaged, and providing job skills training and job placement through our programs.
Hampden County Career Center Dba Careerpoint     (413)532-4900 850 High St Holyoke, MA 01040 website: http://www.careerpointma.org Our mission is to develop a strong workforce system by enhancing the competitive strength of companies, improving the skills of employees and job seekers and expanding career opportunities for citizens through economic development.
Community Action Committee Of Cape Cod And Islands Inc     (508)771-1727 115 Enterprise Rd Hyannis, MA 02601 website: http://www.cacci.cc MISSION STATEMENT Community Action Committee of Cape Cod and Islands, Inc. is committed to providing services to help empower and improve the lives of low-income residents of Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties in Massachusetts by providing resources and self-advocacy skills to attain and support self-sufficiency.
Hyde-Jackson Square Main Street Program Inc      322 Centre St Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 website: http://www.hydejacksonsquare.org Main Street's mission is to create a safe, visually vibrant, economically sound business district in Hyde/Jackson Square, a district known as the Boston's Latin Quarter and that reflects the full diversity of Jamaica Plain.
Little Brothers-Friends Of The Elderly      3305 Washington St Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 website: http://www.littlebrothers.org/boston Little Brothers was founded in post-WWII France in response to the poverty and isolation suffered by many elders stripped of everything by the war. Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly is a nonprofit, non-sectarian, volunteer based organization. We believe strongly that our philosophy of feeding the soul as well as the body, which is the building block for all of our programs, promotes both the physical and mental health of the elderly served, enabling them to remain independent and to avoid costly and impersonal institutional alternatives. We offer volunteers the opportunity to join with the elderly in the celebration of life.
Esperanza Academy Inc      198 Garden St Lawrence, MA 01840 website: http://www.esperanzaacademy.org Esperanza Academy creates an enriched environment fostering individual success and community commitment for fifth through eighth grade girls from Lawrence, MA.Esperanza challenges each student to realize her potential by developing academic competence, confidence, curiosity, integrity and hope.
Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.     (781)599-7730 37 Friend St Third Fl Lynn, MA 01902 website: http://www.neighborhoodlaw.org Neighborhood Legal Services is focused on meeting the most critical individual legal needs of low income and elderly residents of Essex county, Massachusetts while also serving as a primary partner in efforts to revitalize the area's low income neighborhoods and communities, attack the root causes of poverty in the region, and reform local, state and national institutions and systems that harm the poor. We strive to provide these services in a welcoming, accessible environment and in a manner that is client-centered, client directed and builds the capacity of our client communities to speak powerfully with their own voice.
Massachusetts Disabled Children, Inc.     (781)393-9112 PO Box 309 Medford, MA 02155 website: http://mdckids.org MdC was founded in 1992 to assist families of children of disabilities with the complex task of 1) finding funding for home disability access projects and 2) designing the home for such projects. The Board of Directors all have disabilities or are the relative of a child with a disability. MdC also educates the public about rights of children with disabilities as it pertains to education, benefits and non-discrimination. Our goals are to promote independent living and provide for safe access and egress to the child's home.
Blues Trust Productions Inc      75 Altamont Ave Melrose, MA 02176 Blues Trust Productions is a non-profit public charity, whose Mission is to:-Promote Blues music through the annual FREE Boston Blues Festival.-Recognize veteran musicians for their musical contributions through the Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award. -Aid artists with relief and education assistance.
Ozer Foundation     (781)707-4250 75 Second Ave Needham, MA 02494 The Ozer Foundation's primary focus is on supporting programs that provide assistance to families and children in need.
Second Step, Inc.     (617)965-3999 Box 600213 Newtonville, MA 02460 website: http://www.thesecondstep.org The Second Step seeks to break the cycle of domestic violence, one family at a time, by providing services that enable them to remain free from abusive relationships and lead productive lives.The mission of The Second Step is to provide programs and services, both in our transitional housing and in the community (for those not in our housing) to adults and their children who have successfully taken the first step away from domestic violence. We provide a broad range of services to empower survivors to heal, to maintain independence, and to achieve economic self-sufficiency.Our services include:1. Transitional housing2. Personal and professional skills development3.Family nurturing and stabilization4.Support for women transitioning from shelters to permanent housing5.Therapeutic programs for children6.Assistance in finding permanent housing7.On-going support for graduates of our program8.Community Outreach and education
My Brother's Keeper, Inc.     (508)238-7512 PO Box 338 North Easton, MA 02356 website: http://www.mybrotherskeeper.org To bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve. At the conclusion of each furniture delivery, we offer the recipient a crucifix as a gift for their home, with the message: We are just the delivery people. This is the person who sent you the furniture.
Interfaith Social Services Inc      105 Adams St Quincy, MA 02169 website: http://www.interfaithsocialservices.org
Mission Hill Main Streets      1534 Tremont St Roxbury, MA 02120 website: http://www.missionhillmainstreets.org One of Boston's historic neighborhoods, Mission Hill is a low- and moderate-income commuinty which has suffered from disinvestment and institutional expansion. The neighborhood is now experiencing high property values and a version of gentrification. We strive to bring back a viable commercial district, to make Mission Hill an enjoyable neighborhood in which to live, visit, work, dine and shop.
Worcester County Food Bank, Inc.      474 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545 website: http://www.foodbank.org The mission of the Worcester County Food Bank is to engage, educate and lead Worcester County in creating a hunger-free community.
Somerville - Cambridge Elder Services, Inc.      61 Medford St Somerville, MA 02143 website: http://www.eldercare.org The primary goals of the agency are to enable older adults to remain living in their own or their families' homes for as long as they choose to do so, and to provide comprehensive information and assistance to older adults and their caregivers on aging, long-term care, and other related issues and concerns.
Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture Inc      One Sugarloaf St South Deerfield, MA 01373 website: http://www.buylocalfood.com Agriculture is the bedrock of our environment, our food security, our culture and our economy. The values inherent in agriculture provide a healthy background for appreciating hard work, resourcefulness, and sharing of the harvest. Western Massachusetts still has a chance to preserve its working lands which protect its environment and feed its people. Farmers have no other advocate to help them make the connections to local citizens, or to work on opening new local markets for their goods.
Puerto Rican Cultural Center Inc      38 School St. Springfield, MA 011105 To provide and support educational programs that promote cultural awareness for Puerto Ricans and other Spanish-speaking people.To maintain a repository of information and material that reflects and showcases the heritage of Puerto Ricans and other Spanish-speaking people.To design and operate educational and training programs which foster the self-sufficiency of Puerto Ricans and other Spanish-speaking people.To maintain and expand a committed, involved membership base and encourage the participation of the community in the work of the Cultural Center.To develop positive role models for our youth to prepare them to be the leaders of the future.To provide comprehensive, culturally responsive services that promote the general well-being of the Puerto Ricans and other Spanish-speaking people.To pursue and establish collaborative efforts with other organizations addressing the needs of the Puerto Ricans and other Spanish-speaking people.To advocate for and represent the interests of the Puerto Ricans and other Spanish-speaking communities before political bodies.To provide and promote services and activities that foster understanding between the Puerto Ricans and other Spanish-speaking communities and all other communities.
Springfield Rescue Mission, Inc.     (413)732-0808 PO Box 2435 Springfield, MA 01102 website: http://springfieldrescuemission.org The goal of the Springfield Rescue Mission since 1892 has been to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the hungry, homeless, addicted, and poor by introducing them to Christ and helping them apply the Word of God to every area of their lives.
Two/Ten International Footwear Foundation, Inc.     (781)736-1500 1466 Main St Waltham, MA 02451 website: http://www.twoten.org The Two Ten Footwear Foundation is committed to the well being of the footwear community with financial, social and educational support and services. Two Ten fosters a spirit of giving with the focus on action, improvement and change.
Women Of Means Inc      148 Linden St Wellesley, MA 02482 website: http://www.womenofmeans.org The mission of Women of Means, Inc. (WoM) is to improve the lives of women who are homeless or marginally housed through quality health care, education and advocacy.Homeless women and children face unique challenges when accessing health care including poor mental health, isolation, fear, alienation and cognitive issues. Add the daily physical complications of living without a home and accessing even the most basic health care becomes a struggle. The homeless spend a disproportionate amount of time finding and keeping shelter beds, attending to survival needs such as food, warmth and safety or parenting their children under adverse circumstances while at the same time working to get on housing lists. There are no disposable incomes to purchase over-the-counter medicines or medical supplies, and the geographical location of shelters and the rules about length of stay impact the ability to be settled enough to create any order out of this chaos. Complicating matters, placement in family shelters in Massachusetts is on a space available basis, which means that a family in the eastern part of the state may be placed in a shelter in the western part of the state. Families must take the offer or lose their place on the shelter lists. For lone women without children, there are no such lengthy shelter stays, but there are other challenges. Women who are alone are offered temporary shelter for no longer than a week to three weeks, after which time they are required to move on to another shelter for another short length of stay, repeating the circuit of shelters over and over. Whereas housed and financially stable individuals might not think twice about contacting their health care providers about an earache, a homeless woman has to consider whether she has insurance, a provider and if she can get transportation to her appointment. She must weigh if going to a clinic or emergency room means she would miss a meal or a bed, whether leaving a safe location she would risk being seen and her identity revealed to a batterer, whether she would be willing to wait for hours to be seen, whether she would be able to understand the doctor's advice and be able to follow the instructions within the confines and rules of the shelter. Finally, she has to consider whether she would have adequate money and the level of Medicaid insurance to pay her co-pay and pay for medicine. Women of Means was founded with the knowledge and understanding of these real life contexts of homelessness. It was designed to create an alternative health care delivery system that would engage the most vulnerable citizens living on the fringes of available resources and bring them closer to mainstream medical care.As a first intervention, WoM's medical team works to build a trusting relationship and then finds ways to connect patients to hospital or health center resources with primary care practices. A reliable and constant presence in the shelters, the medical team is well positioned to act as facilitators and communicators, providing patients with ongoing assistance, interpretation and emotional support. Based on data that shows the team makes over 2,000 communications efforts each year with outside clinicians, they are bridging a gap in service.
Penikese Island School, Inc.     (508)548-7276 PO Box 161 Woods Hole, MA 02543 website: http://www.penikese.org Penikese is a family-sized program that strives for lasting internal change over temporary behavioral conformity, believing it more effective and less costly to provide individualized rehabilitation rather than cookie-cutter institutional services. On Penikese Island, students and staff live together in a remote and rustic environment that promotes interdependence and improved social skills. Most Penikese students have juvenile records, but Penikese is not a locked facility, does not use mechanical restraints, and is not a boot camp or wilderness experience program. All students must choose Penikese instead of jail; Penikese does not accept students merely wishing to do time.
Legal Assistance Corporation Of Central Massachusetts     (508)752-3718 405 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 website: http://www.laccm.org To protect and advance the legal rights of low-income, elderly and other disenfranchised people in order to secure access to basic needs and to challenge institutional barriers to social and economic justice.