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Directory of Resources Revised April 2012 for People Homeless in Cambridge Your feedback is welcome. Please notify us of any needed corrections, changes, or updates Available on-line at www.tinyurl.com/CambridgeHomelessResources by emailing: email@example.com Table of Contents Overview of Services to Prevent and Address Homelessness page 1 Key Agencies / Online Information: programs, services, benefits eligibility page 1 Shelter for Homeless Families page 2 Shelter for Battered Women and Their Children page 2 Shelter for Homeless Individuals page 2 Shelter and Services for Homeless and Runaway Youth page 3 Daytime Drop-In Programs page 3 Transitional Housing page 4 Street Outreach/Case Management / Help Accessing Mainstream Resources page 4 Nutrition & Food Programs: Meals, Pantries, Food Stamps, WIC page 5 Services for Veterans page 6 Housing Search and Help with Up-Front Transitional Costs page 7 Permanent Supported Housing page 7 Moving Help and Assistance with Furnishing a Household page 7 Emergency Financial Assistance (for Non-Housing-Related Costs) page 8 Representative Payee and Money Management Assistance page 8 Free and Low Cost Access to Computers page 8 Education and Employment page 9 Health Care page 11 Services for People with HIV/AIDS page 11 Eye Exams and Glasses page 11 Addiction Services page 12 Mental Health Care page 12 Dental Care page 13 Services for Victims of Domestic Violence page 13 Legal Assistance - Advocacy - Mediation page 14 Transportation page 14 Child Care and Family Support Services page 15 Clothing page 16 Other Services page 16 obtaining a Mass. ID help for ex-offenders voice mail accounts free income tax assistance Index of Agencies and Programs page 17 How to Access Services: Unless otherwise noted, services listed herein do not require referrals from a case manager or other provider, and can be accessed by homeless persons directly. If a referral is required, shelter or transitional program residents should first request a referral from staff of that program; if no staff referral is available, contact one of the non-residence-based case management programs listed on p. 4 for help. Listings specify whether programs serve only Cambridge (or Somerville) residents; note that persons staying in shelters or transitional programs or living on the street in Cambridge are deemed to be residents. Services for Non-English Speaking Persons Interpreter services are offered by the Cambridge Health Alliance for patients at its hospitals and neighborhood health centers (see p. 11). The following agencies offer interpretation and a range of other services: Portuguese: Mass. Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) (617-864-7600) Spanish: Centro Presente (617-497-9080) & Centro Latino (formerly Concilio Hispano) (617-661-9406) Haitian Kreyol: Cambridge Haitian Services (617-349-6351) Ethiopian/Eritrean: Ethiopian Adbar Woman's Alliance (617-234-8981) and Ethiopian Community Mutual Assistance Association (617-492-4232) Changes & Corrections: Send to Marianne Colangelo ph: 617-349-6966, fax: 617-349-4766, email@example.com Overview of Services to Prevent and Address Homelessness in Cambridge Cambridge houses a diverse array of services designed to help prevent homelessness or to serve individuals or families who have become homeless. The following overview is offered to help steer the reader to the most appropriate service. Disability Access: In the Directory, listings which include a are wheelchair accessible, according to the provider. For general information about the accessibility of municipal or City-funded services, or to request a copy of this Directory in an alternative format to accommodate a visual disability, please contact the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities; 51 Inman St, 2nd fl.; Cambridge, MA 02139 -- phone: (617) 349-4692 (voice) or (617) 492-0235 tty/TDD Prevention services include assistance in helping individuals whose tenancies (or mortgages) are at risk of coming to an end because of legal or financial problems. The City's Multi-Service Center is the largest provider of prevention services (as well as an important source of services for people who have become homeless). Shelters provide emergency housing for individuals and families who no longer have a place to call home. Five types of shelter serve different segments of the homeless population: families, battered women (with or without children), homeless/runaway youth, sober adults, and adults with an active substance abuse problem. Each shelter has its own rules for eligibility and access. Most shelters for individuals have a mix of short-term "emergency beds" (stays of 3-14 days, depending on the program) and "extended- stay" or "contract" beds (stays of several weeks or months, depending on the program). Typically, the longer-term beds are offered to guests who are employed or have otherwise demonstrated their commitment to ending their homelessness, and who are therefore seen as most likely to benefit from the stability of a longer-term bed. Transitional Housing programs offer 6 to 24 months of residential stability (depending upon the program) and on-site case management and related supports to homeless persons who are actively working towards ending their homelessness. Drop-in programs provide a safe place where homeless persons can go during the daytime, whether to simply get off the street or to access supportive services. Because shelters for individuals are typically only funded for overnight services (from dinner time to breakfast the next morning), such drop-in programs fill an important gap in services. Street outreach services reach out to homeless persons living on the street (or in parks, cars, etc.) in hopes of linking them to more extensive services. Case management -- individualized assistance with developing and implementing a plan for ending one's homelessness – is available from residence-based staff for all transitional housing program residents, all family shelter residents, and residents of some shelters for individuals. Non-residence-based case management is available to help other homeless persons. Various programs target specific segments of the homeless populations: Veterans, persons with mental illness, persons in recovery from substance abuse or other addiction, persons with HIV/AIDS, and individuals and families who have been rendered homeless in fleeing domestic violence. Some programs serve only homeless persons, others serve the general population. A variety of specialized programs provide specific services that homeless persons might need, including Food, clothing; and health care services (including mental health care, dental care, and eye care) Housing search and post-placement stabilization (help finding and keeping an apartment) Education and training Employment assistance Child care and family support services Cash assistance (for moving or other needs) (Note: for help accessing income assistance, see "case management" above) Legal assistance Assistance with money management, including representative payee services Access to computers and computer instruction Other services (e.g., identification, voicemail accounts, income tax assistance, etc.) Key Agencies: Social Security Administration: (for SSI & SSDI applications) 10 Fawcett St., 1st floor, Cambridge, 800-772-1213 Mass. Dept. of Transitional Assistance: (for TAFDC, EAEDC, EA, Family Shelter, & Food Stamp Applications) 300 Ocean Ave. in Revere at the "Revere Beach" station on the Blue Line T; call 781-286-7800 or 800-650-2560. The DTA now holds office hours at CAAS (66-70 Union Sq., Somerville) on Thurs 9am-5pm to help clients apply for benefits. On-Line Resources: Information about local programs & services: www.cambridgesomervilleresourceguide.org Information about Boston Area programs & services: http://www.bostonresourcenet.org Information about eligibility for public benefits programs: www.massresources.org/ Legal information about all kinds of matters - written for non-lawyers: www.masslegalhelp.org/ 1 Shelter for Homeless Families Families seeking shelter should go to the DTA Office in Chelsea, 80 Everett Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150 (Take the Orange line to Haymarket, then #111 Bus to Park St. & Cross St. in Chelsea). Call 617-551-1700 and ask for the DHCD Worker. The DHCD provider will assess the family's situation: (1) are they homeless, (2) are there any other options besides shelter, (3) is the family eligible for Emergency Assistance (EA), that is, is household income at or below115% of the federal poverty guideline: Family Size 2 3 4 5 6 7 Max. Monthly Income $1,450 $1,829 $2,209 $2,588 $2,968 $3,347 Max. Annual Income $17,400 $21,948 $26,508 $31,056 $35,616 $40,164 There are very few shelter beds available for non-EA-eligible families. Multi-Service Center staff (617-349-6340) can help families prepare for the process of applying for Emergency Assistance, and can help non-EA-eligible families search for shelter. Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence (DV) DV victims can call Safelink 24 Hour Hotline (1-877-785-2020) for help in accessing emergency shelter or other assistance. Shelter for Homeless Individuals (see also "Veterans Services" on page 6) Other homeless adults must locate a shelter bed on their own. All of the following shelters -- except CASPAR's Emergency Service Center at 240Albany St. -- require sobriety, and require that guests reserve their bed, in some cases, by as early as 7:30 AM. Beds fill quickly, especially in cold/bad weather. Always call first. If Cambridge shelters are full, accessible van transportation to Boston overflow shelters is available from that evening's community meal (see listing of community meals on p.5 of this Directory). Note that by individual arrangement, some shelters are able to offer emergency beds on an extended basis to a limited number of guests who meet shelter-specific criteria. Shelter Services / Restrictions Means of Access Salvation Army short term & extended stay beds for sober Call first thing in the morning (7AM or later) to 402 Mass. Av. (617-547-3400) men only, with case management, substance reserve a bed. Arrive before 7pm to claim bed. abuse services, and vocational counseling Heading Home Cambridge Shelter short term & extended stay beds for sober call at 10AM; referral required (from staff at other 109 School St. (617-547-1885) men & women, with case management shelters or the Multi-Service Center, etc.); First Church extended stay beds for sober men only referral required; consumer or referral source 11 Garden St. (617-661-1873) should call periodically to "refresh" request beds for men & women who are "under the go there CASPAR Emergency Service influence"; shelter for more than one night Center (ESC) requires proof of history of Cambridge or 240 Albany St. (617-661-0600) Somerville residency; separate beds for guests seeking active support for recovery Harvard Square Shelter Extended stay beds are assigned by lottery: Call 66 Winthrop St. (617-547-2841 or Short term & extended stay beds for sober between 7:30 & 8:00AM for a lottery number. Call 1-888-656-3414 toll-free) back between 8:05 & 8:30AM to find out whether men & women; extended stay beds are your assigned number was selected for a bed. typically reserved for persons who are Lottery results will also be posted at the door of the working. Open 11/15 to 4/15 only shelter. For short-term beds, call at 9:30pm to find out about space availability. St. Patrick's Shelter (617-628-3015) Short term & extended stay beds for sober 4pm pick-up at the Cambridge Multi-Service Union Sq., Somerville women only, with case management Center (19 Brookline St). A lottery is held if there more women than available beds. IF CAMBRIDGE SHELTERS ARE FULL: Among Cambridge shelters, the Salvation Army and CASPAR ESC have the greatest ability to stretch their capacity to accommodate unsheltered persons placed at heightened risk by extreme winter weather. Some of the larger shelters in Boston are able to accommodate significant numbers of otherwise unsheltered persons who would be at risk by such extreme weather. CASPAR's FirstStep Street Outreach Team (617-592-6895 weekdays 8am- midnight) will have up-to-the-minute information about the availability of beds in Cambridge shelters, and can provide assistance to unsheltered persons in accessing beds in Cambridge, or, if none are available, in Boston. The CASPAR FirstStep vehicles do not have wheelchair lifts; however, staff can help arrange alternate transportation for persons whose mobility disabilities prevent them from stepping into the vehicles. . 2 Shelter & Emergency Services for Homeless/Runaway Youth (see also Youth on Fire under Drop-In Programs) Youth and Young Adults (age 14-25) at-risk of homelessness (runaways, street youth, homeless youth) can obtain a wide range of services from Bridge Over Troubled Waters (617-423-9575; 47 West St; Boston), including: food, clothing, emergency housing, family intervention, counseling, medical and dental care, substance abuse counseling, case management, transitional day programs, long term residential programs, assistance with education (GED preparation, computer training), and help with employment. Bridge deploys street outreach workers and a medical van in Harvard Square. Other than Bridge Over Troubled Waters, all shelter placements of youth under 18 must be arranged through the Mass. Department of Social Services. Call the DSS Child-At-Risk Hotline (800-792-5200, 24 hours). Wayside/ShortStop (617-776-3377; 1323 Broadway; Somerville 02144) operates a transitional housing program for homeless youth age 18-22, offering a range of social, educational, and pre-vocational services. Daytime Drop-In Programs (see also "Veterans Services" on page 6) CASPAR's Emergency Service Center (617-661-0600; 240 Albany St.) operates a Day Program for High Risk Individuals, weekdays from 8am to 4pm, serving unsheltered homeless persons whose medical or mental health status places them at higher risk while on the street. Referrals from one of the following are required: CASPAR's FirstStep Street Outreach Program, Health Care for the Homeless, or the Cambridge Health Alliance. Other persons seeking daytime support for sobriety should access CASPAR's Phoenix Center in Somerville. HomeStart staff on-site for housing search assistance on Thurs 9:30-10:45am The Salvation Army (617-547-3400; 402 Mass Av) operates a drop-in weekdays 8:30-3:30pm, Sat. 11:30-1pm, & Sun. 1-3pm. Daily lunch and weekdays supplemental food, showers, laundry facilities, clothing. Staff social workers can help with referrals. Optional structured activities. (Note: Women's bathrooms not .) Heading Home Women's Drop-In (109 School St; weekdays 11:30am-2:30pm; contact Jen Bond, 617-547-1885) Lunch (daily 12-2pm), showers, clothing (Mon & Thurs 12-1pm only), food distribution (Fri. 12:30-2pm only), help with referrals, the option to participate in structured activities, and counseling. Special services: Tues & Thurs. 9:30-11am: mental health counseling, stress reduction groups (Eliot Community Human Services); Weds 10:30-12:30 Health Care for the Homeless Women's Clinic; Thurs 10:30-12 noon HomeStart case mgmt/housing search Bread & Jams Self Advocacy Center (617-441-3831; in the basement of the Swedenborg Chapel (50 Quincy St. off Kirkland St. near Harvard Sq.; weekdays 8:30am-4:00pm) A low threshold program offering a safe place off the street, offering food, clothes, phones, access to case management, help with housing search (HomeStart staff on-site Mon. 9:30-10:45am), job search, benefits enrollment, access to MH counseling (Eliot Community Health Services staff on-site on Mon & Wed., 9:30 to 12 noon), and referrals to other services. CASPAR's Phoenix Center (617-666-9947; 35 Medford St., Suite #213 Somerville) is open weekdays 8 to 4 for persons in substance abuse recovery. The Center is a sober drop-in that offers guests individual and group counseling support for their recovery, help with referrals to other programs, and coffee and snacks. Youth on Fire (617-661-2508; at 1555 Mass. Av. in the basement of Harvard Epworth Church off Cambridge Common) Drop-in for homeless and at-risk youth (age 14-24) open Mon 11am-8pm, Tu. 1-6pm, and Wed-Fri 11am - 6pm. Showers, lockers, food (hot meals from 2:30 to 5:30pm), counseling, case management, health care, clothes, laundry, computers, books, games. HomeStart staff on-site for housing search assistance on the third Weds of every month 3:30-4:45pm On The Rise's Safe Haven works with women who are homeless and need a level of support that other programs may not be able to provide. The Safe Haven is a place where women can meet basic nutritional, hygiene and safety needs while also receiving flexible support to begin addressing issues related to trauma, addiction, mental & physical health, domestic & sexual violence, disabilities, immigration, legal problems and poverty. OTR advocates provide support, assistance and advocacy to overcome systemic and social barriers that have prohibited progress in the past. OTR is not a general drop-in program and women must meet with an advocate for an informal intake to determine whether OTR is the right fit. The Safe Haven (341 Broadway) is open Weds & Fri 8am-4pm, and Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat 8am-2pm (but closed the first Sat of every month). Boston GLASS Community Center (93 Mass. Av., 3rd fl., Boston - take the #1 bus just across Charles River; 617-266-3349) Drop-in for gay/lesbian/bi/trans, and questioning young people (age 13-25). Open M-Th 3-8pm, F 3-5pm. (earlier by appt) Board games, TV, computers, library, kitchen. Counseling, testing, referrals, housing/job search, GED, college/financial aid. Ruby Rogers Advocacy & Drop In Center (617-625-9933; 64 Union Sq. in Somerville; Mon-Sun 11am-5pm) for former/current patients at psych. hospitals, and persons at-risk of psych hospitalization. Member-governed center. Self-help/advocacy, socializing. Cambridge Senior Center (617-349-6060) for Persons 60 and Older - 806 Mass. Av. (opposite City Hall) M-F 8:30am-5pm Sa, Su, Holidays: 8:30am-1pm Social and recreational activities, ESL, computer, and fitness classes. Daily breakfast and lunch. The Women's Center (617-354-8807; 46 Pleasant St. near Central Sq. www.cambridgewomenscenter.org/ ) is a place where any woman can obtain information, referrals, and emotional support from staff and volunteers; access printed info about programs, services, events, jobs, health issues, etc.; obtain low cost ($1-$12) therapy from professionals who donate their time; and/or participate in issue-specific or general support groups. (M-Fri:10am-8pm, Sat:10am-3pm). 3 AIDS Action Drop-In Spot (formerly Cambridge Cares About AIDS) (617-599-0218; at 359 Green St., Central Square) Drop-in for HIV-positive persons, open weekdays 9am-5pm, movies, support groups, referrals, etc. Transitional Housing -- Note: Each program has its own eligibility guidelines and participation requirements. (see also: "Residential Treatment Programs" listed under "Addiction Services"; and Shelters offering "extended stay" beds) Carey Program for Men at the YMCA (for men with 6+months sobriety)- Stephen Johnson (617-349-6349) Salvation Army Umoja Men's Transitional Program (402 Mass Ave, Boston) – Jack MacEachern (617-547-3400) AIDS Action Committee: Emerg. Trans'l Prog. (ETP) for Men with HIV/AIDS at the YMCA - Gina White (617-599-0221) North Charles' Bridge Trans'l Hsg at the YMCA for Men with 6+months sobriety: (617) 864-0941 x29 AIDS Action Committee: Trans'l Housing for Women with HIV/AIDS at the YWCA - Gina White (617-599-0221) CASPAR GROW House (for Women in substance abuse recovery with 6+ mos. sobriety) - 617-661-6020 Heading Home's Women's Transitional Program at the YWCA - Eileen Wilson (617-491-6050 x 229) Transition House's Transitional Living Program (for single women and women with young children who have experienced domestic violence) Contact: Ronit (617-868-1650 x25) Phillips Brooks House Summer Transitional Program (for men and women) (mid-June to mid August) at Harvard Square Shelter (66 Winthrop St.): contact David at 617-312-6781 or email: firstname.lastname@example.com Street Outreach -- Non-Residence-Based Case Management – Help Accessing Mainstream Resources Note: Many, but not all residential programs offer case management to at least some participants; case management support offered by programs listed below targets homeless persons who have trouble accessing such residence-based case management. The Cambridge Multi-Service Center (MSC) (617-349-6340; 19 Brookline St.) provides a range of services to Cambridge-based homeless families and individuals, including assistance for elders and people with disabilities. Services by City and partnering providers include information and referral, short-term case management, housing search, job search, mental health and substance abuse counseling, money management, & legal assistance. Depending on circumstances, staff may be able to access limited funds to help with the cost of transitioning to new housing, or for use as a last resort to prevent eviction. HomeStart's Field-Based Case Management (FBCM) program (678 Mass. Av. # 502 in Central Sq.; 617-234-5340) assists Cambridge-based homeless persons in applying for public benefits; obtaining ID; qualifying for discounted T pass; accessing other resources and services; and planning & implementing successful strategies for gaining next-step housing or employment. (Staff oversee a small fund which can help ongoing clients with the cost of essentials like ID, T travel, etc.) FBCM services target persons who lack ready access to other case mgmt; staff may also collaborate with and augment the efforts of existing case managers to address unmet needs. FBCM staff can meet with clients at safe, mutually convenient locations in Cambridge (meal sites, drop-ins, cafes, etc.) or during office walk-in hours Thurs 3-6pm. As needed and appropriate, FBCM staff may continue serving Cambridge clients who relocate due to inability to find suitable shelter in Cambridge. CASPAR's FirstStep Street Outreach (for Cambridge/Somerville) (program info: Rick Ralphson, 617-661-0600 Referrals: weekdays 8am-midnight, 617-592-6895 or 617-661-0600) deploys van-based & on-foot outreach teams targeting unsheltered homeless persons with medical, mental health, or substance abuse-related needs. Teams offer support accessing shelter, substance abuse treatment (detox), health care, and/or mental health services. The team includes a mental health clinician, Arthur Shurcliff, from Eliot Community Health Services, and on a weekly basis, a nurse from Health Care for the Homeless. LIFT (formerly National Student Partnership) (Cambridge Office: 617-349-6338; c/o Multi-Service Center, 19 Brookline St., Central Sq. Somerville Office: 617-591-9400; c/o Family Center; 366 Somerville Ave., Union Sq.). Staff (1-2 full-time Americorps volunteers and a team of local college students) provide individualized assistance with job search, accessing public benefits, locating and accessing other help, and filing taxes. Services by appointment, or as availability allows, on a drop-in basis. Outdoor Church: Sundays: at Porter Sq. T stop (from 9am), in the Cambridge Common (from 1pm), and in Central Sq. by First Baptist Church (3:45). Street outreach on Sat & Sun in Central and Harvard Squares. Ministry, pastoral counseling, food/drink, socks, referrals. Maintains contact with participants during incarceration/treatment. 401-339-9978 or www.theoutdoorchurch.net Starlight Ministries: Van outreach to Harvard Square every Thurs. evening. Youth/young-adult-focused outreach weekday and Sat. afternoons/evenings; food, clothing, case management. "Sanctuary arts community" for homeless youth/young adults, Tues. 7-10pm at 99 Prospect St. (Christ the King Church next to Whole Foods), Central Sq.: family style dinner, art workshops, creative space time. (Christ the King Church). Contact: 617-262-4567 (weekdays 9-5) Streetlight Ministries: Wednesday evenings 8 to 9:30 pm in Porter Square (at the T Station) and outside Davis Square (in Kenney Park at Grove St. and Highland Ave.). Ministry, pastoral counseling, hot meal, clothing, referrals. 857-891-7799 HSHS Street Outreach sends teams on-foot offering conversation, food, clothing, and blankets to unsheltered homeless individuals staying in Harvard Square at night. Team members provide immediate referrals to shelters and can also help access other resources or services. (Program info: only runs 11/15 to 4/15, Sun-Fri, email: email@example.com) 4 Note: Outdoor Church (Sunday in Porter, Harvard, & Central Sq.) and Streetlight Food & Nutrition Programs Ministries (Weds. in Davis & Porter Sq.) serve food as part of their outreach (see p.4) Community Meals (Note: The Salvation Army's meal's are accessible, but their women's bathrooms are not.) FOR SENIORS ONLY (AGE 60 OR OLDER): Breakfast (8:30-9:30 daily - Citywide Senior Center, 806 Mass Av, Central Sq, 617-349-6060) - suggested donation $1.25 Lunches (at various locations, reservations required unless noted) - suggested donation $1.50 > Citywide Senior Center (see breakfast above): weekdays 11:30-12:45, Sat./Sun. 11:30-12:15 reservation required > 116 Norfolk St.: daily 11:30-1, contact Liz Olson (617-547-3543 x22) > North Cambridge Senior Center: weekdays 11:30-12:30, 2050 Mass Av, near Porter Sq. (617-349-6320) > Mass. Alliance of Portuguese Speakers: Mon-Thurs 12-1, 1046 Cambridge St. (617-864-7400) > Salvation Army Silver Threads Program: Tues-Thurs 12:30-1, no donation requested, 402 Mass. Av. (617-547-3400) > Miller's River Apartments: daily 11:30-1p.m., 15 Lambert St. (617-499-7154) > Burns Apartments: daily 11:30-12:30, 50 Churchill Ave. (617-492-7247) Dinners – Mon-Fri 5-6pm at the Cambridge Hosp. (1493 Cambridge St.) Info: 617-665-1665 - suggested donation $1.50 COMMUNITY LUNCHES (ALL AGES) -- no charge • Weekdays: 12:00noon - Salvation Army (see note above) (402 Mass Ave., between MIT and Central Sq., 617-547-3400) 12:00noon - Bread & Jams (see p.3) (Swedenborg Chapel bsmt. 50 Kirkland St., outside Harvard Sq., 617-441-3831) 11:30am - Women Only -- Heading Home Women's Drop-In (109 School St., 617-547-1885) • Weekends: Saturdays at 11:30am and Sundays at 1:00pm - Salvation Army (see note above) COMMUNITY DINNERS (ALL AGES) -- no charge Note: There is currently NO Sunday evening community meal. • Mon: 6:00 Mass. Av. Baptist Church (146 Hampshire St, Inman Sq.) (617-868-4853) 5:00 (except 3-day weekends) First Congregational Church (95 College Av., Davis Sq.) 617-776-soup • Tues: 5:30 First Parish Church (3 Church St., Harvard Sq.) (617-876-7772) 6:30 Faith Lutheran Church (311 Broadway at Prospect St) (617-354-0414) 2nd & last Tuesdays of the month. • Weds: 5:00 Salvation Army (see note above) (402 Mass Av., between MIT and Central Sq.) (617-547-3400) • Thurs: 6:00 Harvard Sq. Meals Program at Christ Church (Zero Garden St.) (617-876-0200) 5:00 Union Baptist Church (874 Main St., Central Sq.) (617-864-6885) 5:45 Good Food Good Friends Women Only meal (1991 Mass Av., Porter Sq.) (617-876-4381) • Fri: 6:00 Mass. Av. Baptist Church (146 Hampshire St, Inman Sq.) (617-868-4853) • Sat: 5:30 Loaves and Fishes Meal Program First Korean Church (35 Magazine St, Central Sq.) (617-497-7277) • Sat: Common Care, a participatory meal program & food pantry, held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at 6pm from Sept. to June at St. Peter's Episcopal Church 15 Sellers St. off Mass Av. in Central Sq. Persons wishing to eat or get food from the pantry are invited to help with preparation (between 3-5pm) and/or clean-up. (617-547-7788) Food Pantries (call to verify hours and/or requirements for access) (see also "Common Care" Saturday dinner, above) CEOC (617-868-2900) 11 Inman St. (Central Sq.) Mon & Weds 4-6 PM Tues 12-2pm Thurs 11-1PM St. James Church (617-876-4381) 1991 Mass. Av. (Porter Sq.) Tu 6-8PM Th 11-1PM Sa 10AM-12 noon - photo ID req'd Cambridge Senior Center (617-349-6060) for Persons 55 and Older -- 806 Mass. Av. (opposite City Hall) Tues/Thurs 12 noon-2pm (Note: Other activities at the Senior Center are limited to persons aged 60 and older) Margaret Fuller House (617-547-4680) 71 Cherry St. Wed. 5-7:30PM Th 1-4pm F/Sa 9:00AM-12noon and emergencies Cambridgeport Baptist Church (617-576-6779) 459 Putnam St. (near Magazine St.) 1st & 3rd Sat 9:00-11:30am St. Pauls AME Church (617-661-1110) 85 Bishop Allen Dr. Weds 12-2PM Sat 10-12 noon Massachusetts Av. Baptist Church (617-868-4853) 146 Hampshire St. 3rd Saturday of the month 8:00-9:30AM East End House (617-876-4444) 105 Spring St. Tues 9am-2pm Fri 9am-12noon by referral only Common Care/St. Peter's Episcopal Church (617-547-7788) 838 Mass. Ave. 2nd & 4th Saturdays 5-6pm Salvation Army (617-547-3400) 402 Mass. Av. Help available daily until 3pm, by appointment Zinberg Clinic Pantry for patients with HIV/AIDS at The Cambridge Hospital (617-665-1606) Catholic Charities (617-625-1920) 270 Washington St., Somerville (Union Sq.) M-Th:10-4pm, F:10-1pm - by appointment Food Stamps, & WIC Food Stamps can help pay for packaged & prepared food. To assess eligibility or for help applying, call Project Bread (1- 800-645-8333) or a HomeStart Field Based Case Manager (617-234-5340) or access www.gettingfoodstamps.org/ WIC nutritional & medical services for pre-natal women and new mothers and their infants are offered at the Windsor St. Health Center (119 Windsor St., 617-665-3600) & North Cambridge Health Center (617-665-3340) 266 Rindge Ave. For information or help in applying for Food Stamps, cash assistance (SSDI, SSI, EAEDC, TAFDC, EA), or other public benefits, speak to a case manager (see p.4) or refer to the list of Key Agencies and On-Line Resources at the bottom of p.1 5 Services for Veterans The New England Center For Homeless Veterans (617-248-9400; 17 Court St. in Boston) offers a range of services for homeless and at-risk veterans, including emergency and extended stay shelter, meals, case management, assistance accessing public benefits (e.g., SSI) and Veterans Benefits (see list below), legal assistance, eyeglasses, dental care, addiction services, services for veterans with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), transitional and permanent housing, and employment. The Cambridge Dept. of Veterans Services (DVS) (617-349-4761; 51 Inman St, 2nd fl.) helps eligible Cambridge veterans and their dependents (wife, widow, estranged spouse, dependent child) access state or federal benefits. (A dependent who has fled abuse by an eligible veteran can ask the DVS to process her benefits application without alerting the veteran.) For the purpose of qualifying for State or federal benefits, wartime veterans are defined as honorably discharged vets who served at least 90 days (or less if due to service-related injury) during WWII, Korea, VietNam, Panama, Grenada, or the Persian Gulf conflict (from 9/1/90 to the present). Activated Reservists who served at least 90 days in a war zone also qualify. Mass State law established eligibility for peacetime veterans defined as honorably discharged persons who served at least 180 days from 1/1/47 to 6/24/50 or 5/8/75 to 8/1/90, or were activated in the Massachusetts Guard for Homeland Security. To receive State benefits through DVS, a veteran must prove Cambridge residency (home, shelter, etc.). Eligibility for federal benefits varies by benefit; in addition to any income/assets limits, eligibility may be based on type and era of military service, extent of any disability (and degree of service-relatedness), willingness to seek substance abuse treatment, reason for unemployment, etc. DVS can help veterans/dependents obtain a copy of the veteran's discharge papers, and can assist vets in upgrading a discharge to qualify for benefits. DVS can also help vets/dependents access: emergency cash assistance for food, clothing, shelter (to prevent eviction or foreclosure, or to help with transition from homelessness to housing), utilities, personal needs, health insurance, telephone, and transportation service-related and non-service-related disability pensions a small monthly stipend ($175/month) available to homeless, sheltered veterans who are (a) able to work and in job training or registered with Career Source and willing to take any available employment, (b) in need of substance abuse or mental health care, and in or actively seeking appropriate treatment, or (c) unable to work, and interested in cooperating with the DVS in applying for disability benefits. On a case-by-case basis, the DVS may award benefits to veterans with criminal records, based on their demonstrated commitment to straightening out their lives. inpatient and outpatient health care, including coverage of medical, dental, and hospital care survivor and/or burial benefits education benefits: Vets enrolled in a degree program in a public college or university can get free tuition. More extensive benefits are available only to veterans with a service-related disability, pre-90s veterans within 15 years of their discharge, and post-1990s veterans who paid into an education fund while in the military. job training and vocational rehabilitation – the Veterans Training School (VTS) at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans (17 Court St in Boston; 617-371-1812 www.neshv.org/currentcoursedescription.html) offers a full range of vocational services to all unemployed and under-employed veterans. See p.11 of this directory. Post-9/11 Veterans are eligible for a Mass. cash "bonus" and for increased federal benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I Bill Post-9/11 Veterans are eligible for a Mass. cash "bonus" and for increased federal benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I Bill.. The DVS can help with all these benefits. To apply on-line federal benefits: www.GIbill.VA.gov For help: call 888-442-4551 The DVS can help with all these benefits. To apply on-line forfor federal benefits: www.GIbill.VA.gov For help: 888-442-4551 a Mass. "bonus" of $1,000 for veterans who who served in Iraq or Afghanistan and $500 for those who did not. a Mass. cash cash "bonus" of $1,000 for veteransserved in Iraq or Afghanistan and $500 for veterans who did not serve there federal financial support for education (graduate and undergraduate degree programs, tutorial assistance, housing federal financial support for education (graduate and undergraduate degree programs, tutorial assistance, books and supplies, allowance, books and training (by an approved approved program), and honorably honorably discharged at least and a housing allowance,), supplies), training (by anprogram), and housing forhousing fordischarged veterans with veterans (and, service cases, for 9/11/2001, members) with at least 90 days of service on or after 9/11/2001, or, with a least 90 days ofin some on or aftertheir familyor, with at least 30 days of such service, if the veteran was discharged with atservice- 30 days of such (In some the veteran was discharged with a service-connected disability. connected disability. service, if cases, this benefit may be transferable to family members.) years of free free medical including mental health services, from from the US Department of Veterans' Affairs. FiveFive years of medical care, care, including mental health services, the US Department of Veterans' Affairs. V.A. medical facilities provides honorably discharged veterans with free health and mental health care and dental care associated with a service-related dental problem. Close to Cambridge are: (a) the V.A. Outpatient Clinic in downtown Boston (251 Causeway St.; 617-248-1000), (b) the V.A. Medical Center in Jamaica Plain (150 South Huntington Ave., 617-232-9500), and (c) the V.A. Hospital in Bedford (200 Spring Rd.; 781-275-7500). 6 Housing Search (and Listings) & Post-Placement Housing Retention Services (see also "Veterans Services" p.6) Homeless Families living in Cambridge shelters and transitional housing programs: Housing Search & Limited Post-Placement Support: Housing Assistance Program (Natty Morrissey 617-349-6336, Multi- Service Center, 19 Brookline St. ) Family Support: Cambridge Family & Children Services: Volunteer Mentor Program: Lisa Katz; 617-876-4210) Homeless Cambridge-based Individuals may receive housing search & post-placement stabilization services as follows: HomeStart provides housing search assistance & post-placement housing retention services out of two offices The Multi-Service Center (MSC) office (19 Brookline St., 617-349-6394) serves participants from targeted shelters and transitional housing programs: Heading Home Cambridge Shelter, Harvard shelter, Carey program, North Charles' Bridge, AIDS Action men's (YMCA) and women's (YWCA) ETP programs, and Heading Home's 9-bed transitional program for women at the YWCA by appointment only. The Housing Resource Team (HRT) office (678 Mass Av., #502, Central Sq., 617-234-5340) serves all other Cambridge- based homeless persons. Services by appointment, except during walk-in hours on Thursdays from 3-6pm. MBHP Housing Consumer Education Center (125 Lincoln Street, 5th floor in Boston, 6 blocks from the South Station Red Line T stop; 617-859-0400 or 800-272-0990) weekdays 9am-5pm, Tuesdays until 7pm to any metro-area resident. (Participants do NOT need a referral, do NOT need a Section 8 certificate, and do NOT need proof of homelessness.) Their website offers excellent links to useful resources www.mbhp.org/pages.asp?p=97&c=24 and a helpful Frequently Asked Questions section http://www.mbhp.org/pages.asp?p=99&c=24. The Center also offers the following FREE services: Apartment listings (available on paper, in local newspapers, and on-line at www.mbhp.org/pages.asp?p=58&c=21 ) Fact sheets and other publications on tenants rights, housing resources, housing search strategies, etc. Access to phones (local calls) and computers, with printers (including free assistance using the Internet); Information about housing subsidy programs for low income individuals, families, and targeted sub-populations Workshops (reservations required, call 617-425-6700 or email email@example.com) addressing such topics as housing search, job search, money management/credit strategies, family resources, etc. www.mbhp.org/pages.asp?p=96&c=23 Access to mediation to help save at-risk tenancies supported by an MBHP housing subsidy. For more information, see www.mbhp.org/Mediation%20flyer.pdf or contact Kevin Donaher at firstname.lastname@example.com or 617-425-6702. Cambridge Community Development Dept.: Housing Division (344 Broadway; 617-349-4622) Maintains a database of residents interested in obtaining affordable housing, and sends out information on affordable rental and homeownership units (that were developed with City assistance, or in accordance with the City's Inclusionary Zoning requirements) as they become available. See http://www2.cambridgema.gov/cdd/hsg/hsg_maillist_form.cfm. Also posts a listing of privately owned rental housing that includes apartments set aside for low and moderate income households. Most of this housing is currently occupied, but vacancies open up from time to time. To get on the waiting list for such a unit, call the management company to request an application form. See http://www2.cambridgema.gov/cdd/hsg/rental/hr_proplist.html. For info about the City's First Time Home-Buyers Program, including income requirements, call Michelle Moran at 617-349-4622. Permanent Supported Housing (PSH) The following agencies receive HUD funds to provide PSH - subsidized tenancies for homeless persons with disabilities (sometimes limited to chronically homeless persons) who need and agree to accept case management and other services. Heading Home: contact Gordie Calkins 617-864-8140 AIDS Action Committee: (persons with HIV/AIDS): contact Gina White at 617-599-0221 New Communities Services, Inc: (seniors and persons with disabilities): contact Liz Olson at 617-547-3543 x22 Transition House: (victims of domestic violence): contact Ronit Barkai at 617-868-1650 x25 HomeStart: Contact Joanna Hooper at 617-234-5340 x211 Moving Help & Assistance with Furnishing a Household (program/case manager referral required) Solutions at Work "Moving Up" Program - low cost moving assistance; no referral required, unless the referring agency is paying for the move. Leave a msg at 617-492-0300 x6 or email firstname.lastname@example.com for info or to arrange a move. Mass. Coalition for the Homeless (781-595-7570) - free furniture for people moving out of homelessness -- No "layaway": customers must take selected furniture with them (low cost trucking assistance available from Solutions at Work – see above) American Friends Service Committee – Material Assistance Program - (appointment & provider referral required) ph: 617-876-5312 fax: 617-576-1652 (Tues. & Thurs. 10am-12noon & 1-5pm) Call for availability of items and to arrange pick-up at 5 Longfellow Park, near Harvard Sq. Subject to donations and demand, the program stocks kitchen items & appliances, bedding (blankets, sheets, pillow cases), bathroom items (towels, shower curtains), clocks, lamps, telephones, TVs, rugs, etc. www.Freecycle.org is a heavily used on-line resource listing thousands of free items; delivery is rarely, if ever, included. 7 Other Housing-Related Assistance Lead Paint: State law requires landlords renting to families with young children to de-lead their apartments. Landlords may not refuse to rent to families just because an apartment contains lead paint. The City's Community Devt. Dept. has a webpage on how to address lead paint issues: http://www2.cambridgema.gov/cdd/hsg/lead/index.html. For questions about childhood lead poisoning or questions related to lead exposure, contact the Public Health Dept. -- 617-665-3831. Housing discrimination: See "Cambridge Human Rights Comm." & "Fair Housing Center" under "Legal Assistance" p. 14) Emergency Financial Assistance (See also veterans services, page 6) Housing-Related Costs - Each program listed has limited resources. Assistance to any one client is limited to maximize the number of clients that can be helped. Once funds are exhausted, they may not be replenished quickly. In every case, then, assistance is subject to the availability of funds. Each program has its own eligibility guidelines, and guidelines for determining how much to offer, how the money can be used, and whether it has to be paid back (i.e., loan). HomeStart and the Multi-Service Center (MSC) can provide limited help to their Cambridge-based housing search clients with some combination of first month's rent, security deposit and/or moving costs. Recipients must have adequate income to sustain rent, and must have saved enough to pay a reasonable portion of these costs. The MSC and Cambridge Fuel Assistance office (617-349-6252) can also help pay gas or electric arrearages & help negotiate payment plans to turn on utility service in a new apartment. Phillips Brooks House Assoc. at Harvard University sponsors the Housing Opportunities Program (617-495-1970 or www.hcs.harvard.edu/~hop/) a student-run program that administers a revolving loan fund and provides no-interest loans and financial counseling to clients at risk of eviction or in need of assistance to transition from homelessness to housing. Catholic Charities (270 Washington St., Union Sq., Somerville 617-625-1920) can sometimes help with rent & utility costs. Funds are generally available from March-September; more limited assistance may be available at other times. The Salvation Army (402 Mass Ave., 617-547-3400) can sometimes help with rent and utility costs. Non-Housing-Related Costs - There are only very limited resources for assisting clients with non-housing-related costs. Some shelters and transitional housing programs can provide limited help to their own clients. HomeStart's Field-Based Case Mgmt program (see p.4) manages a small fund that can assist ongoing HomeStart clients with the cost of obtaining ID, a transit pass, or a PO Box that is needed to gain next-step housing or employment. United Way First Call for Help (1-800-231-4377 or https://mass211help.org/) may be able to identify other sources of small cash grants or loans to cover emergency needs.) Representative Payee and Money Management/Tax Filing Assistance Free help with money management & budgeting is available to Cambridge-based homeless persons from CASCAP's Fiduciary Services Program. Representative Payee services are available (cost: $10/month) to persons receiving Social Security or SSI who because of disability or impaired judgment cannot manage their money. Contact: Diane Griffith at 617-234-2930. Office hours at the Multi-Service Center (19 Brookline St. in Central Sq., 617-349-6340), or elsewhere by appointment. Free help with income tax filing is available at the Cambridge & Somerville offices of LIFT (see p.4). Free and Low Cost Access to Computers/Instruction (See also Project LIFT under "Education" on page 9) Many Cambridge programs offer access to computers and/or opportunities to build computer skills: Cambridge Public Library http://www.cambridgema.gov/cpl/Services/Computers.aspx. All branch libraries provide library card holders with free access to computers to access for word processing, internet, printing (10 free pages/day, .15/ page after) or scanning documents. Each branch has its own guidelines for reserving time. The Central Square Branch (617-349-4010 at 45 Pearl St.) Rotary Technology Access Center has hours from Mon-Fri,10a-5:30pm., Sat.,10am - 1:30pm CCTV's Computer Lab (617-661-6900) is open to the public. Call for hours. The Women's Center (617-354-8807; 46 Pleasant St. near Central Sq.) In addition to its other services (see p.3), the Center has free computers which any woman can sign up to use. (Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 11am-4pm) Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House (71 Cherry St.; 617-547-4680; firstname.lastname@example.com) offers community access to its technology center weekdays 9am-6pm, and offers free beginning (4 weeks) and advanced (8 weeks) classes. Adbar Ethiopian Women's Alliance (617-234-8981 or email@example.com)operates the computer center in the basement of Old Cambridge Baptist Church (1151 Mass. Av) in Harvard Sq. Drop-in Hours: weekdays 10am-4pm The Cambridge Employment Program (see page 9) and Career Source (see page 10) offer free access to computers for job search at their respective program offices. Access is restricted to actively enrolled clients only. Career Source offers enrolled clients free workshops in Internet use for job search and classes in Microsoft Office software. Solutions at Work's "Get Connected" program distributes reconditioned computers (and laptops) to presently & formerly homeless persons, depending on availability. For info, email email@example.com explaining your needs. MIT's FACT program provides free student-taught Saturday classes in basic computing to low income and homeless heads of households and individuals who have been accepted into their short term program (Fall and Spring sessions). Participants who complete the program receive a free reconditioned computer. Contact email@example.com for information. 8 Education Note: Starred (***) resources do not exclusively serve persons who are homeless. (see also Veterans Services p .6) Project LIFT at the Community Learning Center (CLC) (19 Brookline St; contact: Debre Foxx 617-349-6363) Offers individualized instruction/classes on a drop-in basis: English literacy (for native and non-native speakers), GED, math, and computers. Students who can commit to a regular schedule may also enroll in regular CLC classes, including English for Speakers of Other Languages, reading, writing, math, GED, and college prep. ***Mass. Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) (617-776-2662; 5 Middlesex Ave., Assembly Square, Somerville) helps pay for education and job training for persons with documented disabilities. (At present, MRC has a waiting list for services.) Navigating the disability determination process to gain eligibility for services is challenging, and applicants should seek assistance, for example, from a HomeStart Field-Based Case Manager (see p. 4), from the Cambridge Employment Program (see below), from Health Care for the Homeless (see p. 11), or from Community Work Services (see below). Help finding scholarships and other financial aid for higher education is available from the Cambridge Employment Program and Impact, listed below, as well as from the Higher Education Information Center (HEIC) at the Copley Branch of the Boston Public Library (700 Boylston St., 1-877-332-4348). Check out their website www.tericollegeaccess.org. Employment Note: Starred (***) resources serve persons who are homeless, as well as persons who are not homeless. See also Mass. Rehabilitation Commission under "Education" above. (See also "Veterans Services" on page 6.) ***Cambridge Employment Program (617-349-6166; 51 Inman St.): Provides one-to-one employment assistance for work- ready Cambridge residents (including persons homeless in Cambridge): career counseling, resume development, job search assistance (writing cover letters, using the Internet, interviewing skills), help locating training resources. Referrals preferred. ***LIFT (formerly National Student Partnership) (Cambridge Office: 617-349-6338; c/o Multi-Service Center, 19 Brookline St Somerville Office: 617-591-9400; c/o Family Center; 366 Somerville Av., Union Sq.). LIFT staff (1-2 full-time Americorps site coordinators & a team of local college students) provide individualized help with job search (resume development, interviewing, using the Internet and newspapers to locate leads) by appointment, or subject to availability, on drop-in basis. Impact (617-542-3388; 105 Chauncy St, Boston): Employment assistance for work-ready homeless persons & persons transitioning to housing. Skills/aptitude assessment; resume preparation; help with job search; employer contacts, access to word processors, telephones, voice mailbox, and P.O. box. By referral only. CASPAR Employment Services (617-591-1900, 35 Medford St. in Somerville), offers pre-employment training for homeless persons who are in residential programs for drug and alcohol abuse. By referral only. ***Community Work Services (CWS) (contact Eugene Gloss at 617-720-2233 x 223; 174 Portland St, near North Station, Boston) provides comprehensive employment services, including vocational assessment, work readiness and competitive employment training (janitorial, mailroom, clerical skills, business applications, light assembly) and placement assistance and support to homeless and non-homeless persons. Assistance obtaining Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) eligibility. Case manager referral, verification of homelessness, and 60-day sobriety required. Spare Change News (617-497-1595, 1151 Mass Av. in the basement of Old Cambridge Baptist Church outside Harvard Square) is a small independent street newspaper written and distributed by the Homeless Empowerment Project, a largely consumer-run organization. Homeless persons seeking employment as vendors or wishing to submit an article (for which they can receive modest compensation) should visit the office during business hours. SCN now publishes a Hire the Homeless Classified Section where homeless persons can advertise their skills (e.g., painting, catering, carpentry, yard work, computer repair, etc.) and solicit business from interested readers of the newspaper. To post a listing, call 617-497-1595 x16 or visit the office during business hours. Project Place (1145 Washington St. in Boston's South End) offers training and transitional employment programs for homeless and low-income persons with 90 days sobriety. To set up an intake appointment, contact John Blackwell (617-542-3740 x 23 or firstname.lastname@example.com). Project Place sponsors three different six-month employment program incorporating skills training, career-coaching, and up to 30 hours/week employment at $8/hour: (a) "Clean Corners" is a in outdoor and facilities maintenance and landscaping program; (b) "Project Pepsi" provides employment opportunities for loaders and drivers providing customer support to 80+ Pepsi vending machine accounts in metro Boston; (c) "Home Plate" is a six-month employment program in food services. Project Place also sponsors "Project 90," a 90-day job training internship program, including 14 hours/week of classroom time for professional and personal skills development in preparation for job search, as well as computer training. (continued) 9 Employment (continued) St. Francis House (39 Boylston St 4th floor, downtown Boston) offers two work programs: The FirstStep Program (617-654- 1257) helps participants discover their strengths and interests, and identifies barriers that participants may need to address in order to successfully enter the workforce. FirstStep is a 15-hour program running Mon-Fri 9 AM-12 noon. Information sessions held every Tuesday at 1:30PM. The Moving Ahead Program (MAP) (617-654-1257) is a longer term, stipended program (14 weeks Mon- Wed 9AM-3PM Thu-Fri 9AM-Noon) focusing on recovery and renewal for persons whose lives have been disrupted by substance abuse and homelessness. Participants are assisted with life skills, work readiness, "workplace literacy," and job search activities. Applications for both programs are available by phone or in-person. Span (105 Chauncy St 6th floor, Boston, MA 02111) (617-423-0750) provides employment assistance to ex-offenders. The Bakery and Cafe at Haley House (617-445-0900, 12 Dade St. in Dudley Square, Boston) offers hands-on paid training to homeless and formerly homeless persons (as well as to teens in school or programs) in the context of a working bakery and cafe. Participants learn bakery, kitchen, and restaurant management skills and the value of teamwork, and get help with job search. ***Career Source (186 Alewife Brook Parkway, Fresh Pond Mall, Suite 310 in Cambridge; 617-661-7867) provides a range of employment resources, including free workshops and free access to computers, phones, copying, and fax machines, as well as an employment resource room for primarily self-directed job seekers. Certain categorically eligible low income persons (e.g., families receiving TAFDC) may also be eligible for individualized career counseling support and free employment training. ***The Title 5 (Senior Aide) Program at Citizens for Citizens (617-623-1392 x 141 office ) helps low income Middlesex and Norfolk County residents 55 & older re-enter the workforce, beginning with part-time paid placements at non-profit and government agencies. Placements, which may last up to 1 year, pay $7.50/hour stipends that don't count against eligibility for Food Stamps or federal housing assistance. Persons receiving SSDI benefits may participate in the program without losing their benefits. ***Operation Able (131 Tremont St #301 in Boston, 617-542-4180) provides employment and training services to mature workers 45 and older from diverse backgrounds. Job seekers may obtain information about agency programs and services by attending one of their weekly Information Sessions, conducted every Friday at 10am. Some of the training programs are costly; scholarship assistance may or may not be available. Low-income Middlesex (Cambridge), Essex, Suffolk (Boston), and Worcester County job seekers over age 55 are eligible to participate in Operation Able's Title V (Senior Community Service Employment) Program to get the training they need to re-enter the workforce, beginning with part-time stipended ($7.50/hour) placements at non- profit and government agencies. Program stipends don't count against eligibility for Food Stamps or federal housing assistance. Persons receiving SSDI benefits may participate without losing their benefits. Call Polly Harold 617-542-4180 x133. *** The Veterans Training School (VTS) at the New Eng. Shelter for Homeless Veterans (17 Court St in Boston; 617-371-1812 www.neshv.org) offers job training, resume development, interview prep, and lifetime placement assistance to all unemployed and under-employed veterans. Courses offered include Commercial Drivers License Class B, Security Officer Training, Fundamentals of Culinary Arts, Website Design and Photoshop, Fundamentals of UNIX/Linux for Network Management, as well as a number of short-term courses. For other veterans benefits, see the Dept. Of Veteran Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program website at www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ Pine Street Inn sponsors a mix of transitional employment and work-readiness programs for homeless persons, giving priority to PSI residents). Strive (617-892-9492), a 3-week program for persons who have had difficulty finding or holding a job, helps participants develop the communication skills, attitude, and awareness they will need to enter the workforce; the program offers basic instruction in interviewing, using computers to prepare resumes and cover letters, and job search. The Food Service Training Program (617-521-7285; 444 Harrison Av., Boston) provides 3 months of paid, full-day hands-on and classroom training preparing students for entry level kitchen jobs in restaurants/cafeterias. Clothing and food program graduates receive job placement assistance. Participants in all programs must be clean and sober. 10 Health Care Note: all services are unless otherwise noted. (See also "Veterans Services" on page 6.) Mass Health (also known as Medicaid) provides comprehensive coverage of health care, dental care, and mental health care to low-income families, persons with disabilities, and elders. Commonwealth Care provides comprehensive health coverage for most low income persons who are ineligible for Mass Health, including, persons who lack a qualifying disability for Mass Health and persons with incomes above the relevant Mass Health income ceiling, but under 300% of the federal poverty level (annual income under $30,636 for a household of one). Just about every homeless person, with the exception of undocumented immigrants, should be eligible for either Mass Health or Commonwealth Care. Uninsured and underinsured persons who lack access to affordable health coverage (including persons without documentation) can access Health Safety Net coverage (replacing "Free Care"). For details about eligibility for any of these programs, see www.massresources.org (select "Health Care Programs") or call Health Care for All's Consumer Helpline at 800-272-4232. To have an application mailed to you, call 1-877-623-6765. To download an application, visit www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/masshealth/appforms/mbr.pdf If you decide to select Network Health as your managed care plan and wish to obtain health care through the Cambridge Health Alliance and its network of community health centers, you can call 1- 888-257-1985 to make an appointment at the Cambridge Hospital (1493 Cambridge St.) for help completing an on-line application (or call 617-591-4407 to make an appointment at the Patient Assistance Office of the Somerville Hospital (230 Highland Av.). Other persons can obtain additional help from HomeStart's Field Based Case Management program (p.4), from LIFT (p.4), and trained providers. Neighborhood Health Centers of the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) (For Somerville sites call 617-591-4500) Primary Care Center (617-665-1068) at The Cambridge Hospital East Cambridge Health Center (617-665-3000) 163 Gore St. Windsor St. Health Center (617-665-3600) 119 Windsor St. Cambridge Family Health North (617-575-5570) 2067 Mass. Av. (near Porter Sq.) Health Care for the Homeless Primary Care Clinics (Call 617-591-6765 for updates about schedule changes) Salvation Army (402 Mass. Av.) (617-547-3400) (Mon.: 1-3pm; Tues.: 10am-Noon; Weds.: 10am-2pm (women only); Thursdays: 11am-1:30pm; Fridays 9-11am (women only) CASPAR Emergency Service Center (240 Albany St.) (617-661-0600) (M & W 9-11am, Tues & Fri 8-11am) Health care is available to any homeless person. Shelter residency or program participation are NOT required. Staff at the Salvation Army clinics also serve homeless children enrolled in the Salvation Army's child care program. In addition to the clinic hours listed above, HCftH offers medical assistance to unsheltered homeless persons via collaboration with CASPAR's FirstStep Street Outreach Program. For information about the outreach hours of HCftH's nurse practitioner, call 617-661-0600. Women of Means sponsors free health care for women weekdays 8am-4pm at Rosies Place (889 Harrison Ave. 1½ blocks from Boston Medical Center; take #1 bus down Mass Ave. to Harrison Ave.) and weekdays 8am-2pm at Women's Lunch Place (67 Newbury St. in Boston, one block from the Public Gardens & Arlington Green Line T stop). Homeless & runaway youth (age 12-23) can obtain care at (a) Youth on Fire (1551 Mass Ave. basement, 617-661-2508, during scheduled visits by the physician from the Sydney Borum Health Center; see "Drop-Ins" on page 3.) (b) the Teen Health Center (617-665-1548; at CRLS High School, 459 Broadway) weekdays 8:30am-5pm. After hours nurse triage and care delivery are available to youth by calling 617-665-1548; (c) Bridge Over Troubled Waters (617-423-9575, 47 West St., near the Park St. T stop in Boston); Bridge runs a medical van in Harvard Sq. (not ). Bridge can provide or arrange for dental care, counseling, substance abuse services & HIV/AIDS counseling; and (d) Sidney Borum Health Center, 130 Boylston St. near Boston Common; 617 457-8140); SBHC provides a full range of primary care, mental health and substance abuse services, HIV counseling, testing, and risk reduction services for young persons age 13-29, targeting persons who are homeless, on the street, in the sex industry, or inadequately served by mainstream providers unprepared to help GLBT clients. HIV/AIDS Services AIDS Action Committee (617-661-3040; 359 Green St.; www.aac.org/) provides a range of services for people living with HIV/AIDS, or at high risk for HIV/AIDS, including case management, drop-in services, needle exchange, peer support services, support groups, housing services, food and nutrition services, and HIV testing and counseling. Zinberg Clinic at Cambridge Hospital (1493 Cambridge St.) offers comprehensive health services for persons with HIV/AIDS. Call 617-665-1606 for an initial appointment. Eye Exams and Glasses (contact Health Care for the Homeless for other suggestions) (see also Veterans Services p.6) Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary (243 Charles St., Boston) Call 617-573-4098 to request free/low cost eye exams & glasses. New England Eye Institute (617-262-2020; 930 Commonwealth Av. in Boston, near Boston University) offers free/low-cost exams for eyeglasses. Call for appointment; bring income documentation. Bring prescription and proof of homelessness to Pine St. Inn Clinic for free glasses. LensCrafters (Cambridgeside Galleria, near the Lechmere T Stop) Call 617-577-8440 for an appointment for a free eye exam & glasses. Bring a letter on shelter or transitional housing stationery documenting homelessness, with provider's Tax ID #. 11 Addiction Services Note: all services are unless otherwise noted. Outpatient Substance Abuse Services (see also http://nationalsubstanceabuseindex.org/massachusetts/facilities.php ) ▪ North Charles Institute for Addictions: outpatient counseling and other treatment services (including methadone maintenance) for persons in all stages of recovery from opiate-related addictions and other forms of substance abuse. Call 617-661-5700 for information or an appointment. ▪ Camb Health Alliance Outpatient Addiction & Dual Diagnosis Unit (weekdays 8:30am-4:30pm) at Central Street Health Center (617-591-6050; 26 Central St – 2nd floor, in Somerville; shuttle service leaves from the Line St. entrance of Cambridge Hospital) • Mt Auburn Prevention & Recovery Center: 617-499-5051 • Centro Latino: 617-661-9406 (not ) • Cambridge Cares About AIDS: Needle Exchange: 661-599-0246 To Access Detoxification (24 hours/day unless otherwise noted): • call CASPAR FirstStep Street Outreach (referrals: weekdays 8am-12 noon - 617-592-6895 or 617-661-0600) • go to the CASPAR Emergency Service Center (617-661-0600) 240 Albany Street (evening and overnight only) • call AdCare: 1-800-ALCOHOL • go to the Psychiatric Emergency Room of The Cambridge Hospital (9am-5pm only) (617-665-1560; 1493 Cambridge St) Services for youth (25 & under): • Bridge Over Troubled Water (617-423-9575) • Youth on Fire (617-661-2508) • Sidney Borum Health Center (617 457-8140) • Impact (617-661-0405) Services for seniors (60 and older): • Geriatric Substance Abuse Program (617-349-6220) Sober Drop-In: CASPAR Phoenix Center (617-666-9947) 35 Medford Street, Somerville Day Program for High Risk Individuals at CASPAR Emergency Service Center (617-661-0600) 240 Albany St; Cambridge For chronic substance abusers with medical complications that put them at high risk.: Referral required from one of the following: CASPAR FirstStep Street Outreach, Health Care for the Homeless (see p. 11 for clinic info), Cambridge Health Alliance (see p.11) Residential Treatment Programs: for men and women in very early recovery: CASPAR ACCESS program (617-661-0600) for women: CASPAR Womanplace (contact: Carol Nickerson, 617-661-6020) for pregnant & parenting women: CASPAR New Day (contact: Carol Nickerson, 617-661-6020 or 617-628-8188) for men in recovery: CASPAR Men's Residences (contact: Elaine Blake, 617-623-5277) To find support groups for achieving/maintaining sobriety, coping with addiction and its effects on family: • Alcoholics Anonymous (617-426-9444) • Al-Anon (for families and friends of users) (508-366-0556) • Narcotics Anonymous (866-624-3578) • Cocaine Anonymous (781-551-6677) • Rational Recovery (781-891-7574) • Gamblers Anonymous (617-338-6020) gamblers, families Mental Health Care (See also Addiction Services, above, for services for persons with a dual diagnosis) Mental Health (MH) Services, all of which are unless otherwise noted, are available, as follows: by appointment w/Health Care f/t Homeless MH staff at the Salvation Army clinic (M 1-3pm, Tu 10am-Noon, Th 2-4pm) walk-in emergencies at the Psych Emergency Room at Cambridge Hospital (617-665-1560; 1493 Cambridge St) by appointment with Eliot Community Health Services' PATH and Outreach MH Specialists: Sharon Aikens (617-349-6331) at the Multi-Service Center (Mon. 8:30am-8pm, Tues -Thurs 8:30am-5pm) Mary Shannon Thomas (781-307-3937) at Bread & Jams (617-441-3831) on Mon & Wed, 9am to 12 noon and Heading Home Women's Drop-In (Tues. & Thurs., 10am-12 noon) Arthur Shurcliff (617-661-0600 msg: 8:30am-3:30pm; direct line: 3:30-5pm) on the street with CASPAR's FirstStep Street Outreach Team (M/W/Th/F 9am-3pm); at the CASPAR Emergency Service Center (240 Albany St.) (M/W/Th/F 3:30-5pm); and at Bread & Jams (617-441-3831 Tues 8:30am-4:30pm) All Eliot CHS staff can refer clients for counseling services at the Psych Outpatient Unit at Central Street Health Center. by appointment at Psychiatric Outpatient Unit at Central Street Health Center (Camb. Health Alliance) (26 Central St. in Somerville; shuttle vans leave from the Line St. entrance of the Cambridge Hospital); call Central Intake 617-591-6033 for intensive field-based mental health services targeting homeless clients with a history of hospitalizations and difficulty using outpatient services, refer Cambridge-based clients to the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team (617-591- 6033), and Somerville-based clients to the Community Treatment Team (CTT) (617-623-3278) by appointment at the Community Legal Services And Counseling Center (617-661-1010; 1 West St., Cambridge) 12 Dental Care (see also Bridge Over Troubled Water, p.11-12, & Veterans Services, p. 6; Mass Health covers dental care) The Dental Clinic at the Windsor St. Health Center 119 Windsor St (617-665-3990) has the capacity to serve a limited number of persons who qualify for free or discounted care through the Cambridge Hospital. • The Mass Dental Society's "Mass Dentists CARE" program offers reduced cost dentistry for children who lack other coverage. See www.massdental.org/content.aspx?id=768 or call 1-800-342-8747 Low cost dental cleaning is available at the dental clinic of the Forsythe Hygiene Program, 101 Palace Rd., in Boston at side entrance of Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Shelter staff referrals to Louise (617-278-2700) Cambridge Health Care for the Homeless (see p.11) can refer homeless adults to the Barbara McInnis House in Boston for free comprehensive dental care. Boston Health Care for the Homeless in Boston (call Frazell 617-542-4704 8am-4pm; 39 Boylston St. 2nd floor in downtown Boston) screens candidates for dental care and eye care. • "Smiles for Success" provides referrals for free/low cost dental care by local women dentists for eligible women whose ability to succeed is compromised by decayed, missing or damaged teeth. To be eligible, a woman must be able to verify current enrollment in an accredited job-training program, or active pursuit of transfer from welfare back into the workforce. Obtain more information or apply for assistance at http://www.smilesforsuccess.org/ • Boston-Area Dental Schools may provide free or low-cost dental care, although the availability of services may be limited and seasonal: Harvard (617-432-1434), Tufts (617-636-6828) and Boston University (617-638-4701). Services for Victims of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Safelink 24 Hour Hotline: 1-877-785-2020 (see also Support for Families on p. 14) • Transition House (617-661-7203) & Respond (617-623-5900) offer counseling, referral for emergency shelter, and related services to individuals and families that have been exposed to domestic violence. Support and services are available to DV victims whether or not they are ready to leave battering relationship. • Emerge (617-547-9879) provides counseling for batterers. • The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (617-492-7273) provides assistance to victims of rape and sexual assault. • Violence by caregivers against children, elders, and persons with disabilities must be reported. The following hotlines will lead to investigation and efforts to address abusive situations: > Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-792-5200 > Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-922-2275 or call Somerville Cambridge Elder Services (617-628-2601) > Disabled Abuse Hotline: 1-800-426-9009 • The Victims of Violence program of the Cambridge Health Alliance (http://www.challiance.org/vov/vov.shtml, 617- 591-6033) offers comprehensive clinical services and support for victims as well as training and support for providers. 13 Legal Assistance - Advocacy - Mediation Legal assistance to appeal denial of public benefits (TAFDC, SSI, EAEDC, etc.), denial of public housing or Section 8, to prevent evictions, and to protect the rights of victims of domestic violence is available to Cambridge residents from: Cambridge & Somerville Legal Services (CASLS) (617-603-2700) (CASLS can also assist homeless persons in resolving legal issues related to mental health care, special education, or other school/education-related matters.) Community Legal Services & Counseling Center (617-661-1010), Harvard Legal Aid (617-495-4408) For housing issues only: Tenancy Advocacy Project at Harvard Law School (617-495-4394). The Community Legal Assistance Project (CLASP), sponsored by Shelter Legal Services Foundation offers homeless persons help appealing housing authority denials, supports last-chance efforts to prevent eviction, and can help address other Court or administrative matters including criminal records, outstanding warrants, credit problems, child support, family law disputes, immigration, etc. Legal assistance at the Tues. morning legal clinic at the Multi-Service Center (19 Brookline St. in Central Sq.; 617-349-6340) is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Clients unavailable on Tuesday mornings may arrange a special Sat. morning appointment at First Parish Church in Harvard Sq. (3 Church St.) by calling 617-552-0623. Advocacy support in addressing tenancy issues and public benefits applications/appeals is available to Cambridge residents by contacting CEOC (11 Inman St., 617-868-2900). Mediation services are available from the following sources: Just-a-Start's Mediation for Results (494-0444 x317) can provide mediation to preserve an at-risk tenancy, or to help resolve a client/provider dispute. For more info, visit www.mediationforresults.org/content/view/21/48/ Contact Kevin Donaher at MBHP at firstname.lastname@example.com or 617-425-6702 for mediation to preserve an at-risk tenancy supported by an MBHP housing subsidy. For more info: www.mbhp.org/Mediation%20flyer.pdf The Community Dispute Settlement Center (CDSC) (617-876-5376) provides mediation services to individuals and organizations to help resolve conflicts related to divorce/paternity, housing (landlord/tenant; condo), consumer complaints, workplace, neighborhood, or family matters. Fees are on a sliding scale based on income and may be reduced or waived based on need. For more information visit www.communitydispute.org. Cambridge Human Rights Commission (51 Inman St, 2nd fl, 617-349-4396) investigates allegations of discrimination, including any Cambridge landlord's refusal to rent an apartment based on an applicant's race, color, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, sexual preference, marital status, family status, military status, or source of income/payment. (i.e., landlords can't tell applicants: "I don't take Section 8" or "I don't rent to families with kids"). The Commission is the administrative home to the Cambridge Police Review & Advisory Board (PRAB), which investigates complaints filed against the Cambridge Police Department for such matters as false arrest, excessive force, discourteous behavior, racial profiling etc. For info or to file a complaint visit or call the office, see www.cambridgema.gov/prab, or email email@example.com The Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston (617-399-0491) can investigate allegations of housing discrimination. To get started, complete an intake form (available by calling 617-399-0491 or at www.boston.fairhousing.com ) The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under the Law (Boston Bar Association; 294 Washington St., Boston) can offer assistance with cases involving civil rights violations related to race or national origin – call 617-482-1145 for an intake. See www.lawyerscom.com for more information. Transportation (Note: Some residential programs may be able to offer residents help with transportation or transit costs.) SCM Community Transportation (617-625-1191) provides door-to-door transportation for seniors, people with disabilities, and other at-risk persons. Assistance is primarily for local, non-emergency, medical and grocery shopping trips, with a minimum of 48 hours' notice, although assistance with other necessary trips may be available. A donation of $1.00-$2.00 per roundtrip is requested but not required. "The Ride" is operated by the MBTA to provide door to door transportation for elderly and disabled persons who cannot use public transit due to a documented physical, mental, or other disability. The cost of service in each direction is $1.50 locally. To request an application to use The Ride call (617)-222-5123 or (800)533-6282 or TTY: (617)222-5415, or go to http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/accessible_services/default.asp?id=7108. • Obtaining a Discount T Pass for Persons with Disabilities: Persons with disabilities ride the T for 50% or more off the price of standard T fares and are also eligible for a $20/month Transportation Access Pass (TAP) ID good for unlimited travel on Local Bus and Subway. Obtain application from the MBTA (617-222-5438 or visit www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/documents/ACCESS_PASS.pdf ). Have a medical provider (e.g., Health Care for the Homeless, see "Health Care" page 10) complete the form and return it to the MBTA. Medicare recipients, clients of DMH, and registered users of The Ride do not require further verification of disability. Applications take approximately 2 weeks to process. When you receive notification of approval, bring the notification, two forms of ID, and $3.00 to the Senior and Access Office (weekdays 8:30am-5pm) at Back Bay Station on the Orange Line. 14 Child Care & Other Services for Children and Their Parents (see also WIC under Nutrition programs, p.5) For basic information about where homeless families with children can find the help they need to support healthy child development, including more information about any of the resources described on this page, contact Susan Richards, City of Cambridge Out of School Time Coordinator (617-349-4099) or Jen Kapuscik, Center for Families Director (617-349-3002) Child Care – Pre-School Age Children (for school age children, see "After-School and Summer Activities" below) • Our Place Day Care Center for Homeless Children (Salvation Army 617-547-3400 x234) -- weekdays 8:30AM-3:15PM. Serves children age 3 months to 7 years at no charge while parent is living in a homeless or battered women's shelter. Cambridge Head Start (617-577-7880) -- for children age 3 to 5 (waiting lists vary by program) full day child care (8AM-5:30PM) is available to households earning under 175% of the federal poverty level ($2,300/month for a family of four), for parents in school/work/training in excess of 30 hours/week. half-day Head Start programming (4 hours, starting 8am-Noon & 1-5pm and child care is available have to be income eligible. • Program and Scholarship Information: Child Care Resource Center (617-547-9861) Support for Families with at-risk children or children with special needs Early Intervention (617-629-3919) -- for at-risk & special needs children age 0-3 (in-shelter services offered) The Family Resource Center (contact Jardine Jerome: 617-349-6551) can help arrange in-school, in-shelter, or community-based academic, social, & clinical supports, and can help with transport for afterschool / summer programs. Home-Based Programs of the Cambridge School Department (in-shelter services offered) Home-Based Early Childhood Education Program (617-349-6849) -- for children age 18 mos - 3 1/2 years Home-Based English Language Learners Program (617-349-6724) -- for children age 2 yrs 9 months thru kindergarten of families whose primary language isn't English The Guidance Center (617-354-2275) offers counseling and support services for at-risk children and their parents in home/shelter, school, and clinic settings. TGC offers specialized services to children traumatized by abuse/violence, and operates the Meeting Place, for supervised child visitation by parents in high-conflict separations / divorces Mass. Advocacy Center (617-357-8431) child advocacy in areas of education, special ed, child welfare, and health. Federation for Children with Special Needs (617-236-7210) parent advocacy training & support Cambridge Family & Children Svcs (617-876-4210) matches families moving from shelter to housing with parent mentors After-School & Summer Activities for Children (Summer Camp enrollment begins in March) School-Age Child Care is offered by numerous private and public agencies. For program and scholarship information, call the Child Care Resource Center (617-547-9861). The City of Cambridge offers various after-school & summer options. Scholarships are available for all programs. The Child Care & Family Support Division (617-349-6254) offers traditional enrolled licensed child care. The Youth Program (617-349-6262 in Area IV) offers a state licensed after school program which that provides a nutritional snack, educational assistance and enrichment workshops along with athletic competition for children ages 2-6 years old that is held Monday thru Fridays 2-6PM cost is $100.00 per year. The Community Schools Program (617-349-6235 or 617-349-6227) offers a range of a-la-carte after-school enrichment programs (arts/music/dance, sports, academics, etc.), and summer camps throughout the City. Cambridge Camping Association (617-864-0960; 99 Bishop Allen Dr.) offers full-day summer day camp programming, including breakfast and lunch, with full scholarships to Cambridge-based homeless children age 6-13 Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House (71 Cherry St.; 617-547-4680) offers after-school and summer camp programming for homeless families and their children; scholarships are available to families without vouchers. 15 Clothing Note: Free clothing is available at most homeless shelters for shelter guests (see p. 2), and most drop-ins (see p.3). Check the phone book for used clothing (e.g., Salvation Army, Morgan Memorial, the Garment District, etc.). Cambridgeport Baptist Church (617-576-6779; 459 Putnam Ave. at Magazine St.) during Saturday food pantry hours (1st and 3rd Saturdays 10 AM - 12 Noon) nominal charge of 10 cents per item may be waived CASPAR's GEAR (providers only): call Edie Teves (617-591-1900 at 160 Highland Ave. in Somerville) for work-quality clothing, furniture, and hard-to-find items. Children's Clothing Exchange (c/o Solutions at Work) has children's clothing, shoes, books, toys, car seats, baby furniture in exchange for donations of comparable items or volunteer time. Drop-In hours Tues.,Weds.,Thurs. 10am-4pm. Contact Sonya at 617-576-0039 or email@example.com for special hours. 391Evereteze Way (off Cambridge St, near Windsor St.) Solutions Wear: interview appropriate clothing, by referral, by appointment, Contact Sonya 617-576-0039. American Friends Service Committee (appointment / provider referral required) ph: 617-876-5312 fax: 617-876-5309 (Tu,Th 9am-12noon & 1-4pm) Call/fax to arrange client pick-up of clothing, including work-quality clothing & household items St. Francis House (617-542-4211; 39 Boylston St, downtown Boston) has work-quality clothing; case mgr referral req'd. Rosie's Place (Boston): women's clothing: by appointment only: call 617-442-9322 Dress for Success (Boston): used professional clothing for women entering the workforce by appointment only (M-Th, 10-4) (617-323-7544). Member agency has to make appointment and send referral with details about the client's upcoming job interview. A second outfit is available for clients upon starting their new job. Tailored for Success (Malden): professional work-quality women's clothing. Appointment / referral required (781-324-0499). Other Services Obtaining Massachusetts ID: With increased concerns about "homeland security" and identity theft, it has become harder to obtain a Mass. ID from the Mass. Registry (630 Washington St., downtown Boston) if you don't have other credible identification. Required are separate documents proving: (a) date of birth, (b) signature, and (c) Mass. residency (www.mass.gov/rmv/license/3id.htm ). Residency can be established by bringing a letter on shelter (or other residential program) stationery signed by a case manager stating the homeless person's name and SSN, indicating where s/he is staying, affirming his/her homelessness, listing other IDs s/he has, and stating that the case manager knows this person well enough to attest to the facts of the letter. Persons lacking the usual proof of identity can get an unofficial picture ID -- weekdays 10-11am only -- from St. Francis House (39 Boylston St 4th fl. in downtown Boston; 617-654-1257). This unofficial ID plus a letter from a shelter or transitional program affirming that the client resides there, plus a letter from St. Francis House to the Registry, plus the required $25 fee, may be adequate to obtain a Mass. ID from the Registry. Ex-Offender Services: Span, Inc. (617-423-0750 at 105 Chauncy St, Boston) offers a range of support for ex-offenders: help with housing and employment, reintegration counseling, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS services, peer support, and a drop-in center. Some assistance may be time limited, based on the date of release from prison. Free Cell Phone Service: Through SafeLink Wireless's Lifeline Service you can receive a FREE wireless phone and 80 minutes every month. To qualify, you must prove participation in one of the following public programs: EAEDC, SSI, Fuel Assistance, Food Stamps/SNAPS, MassHealth, or TAFDC -- AND -- you must have a valid street address (not a PO Box). Apply on-line at https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/state_benefits.aspx Voice mail services are in a state of flux. Ask your shelter or housing provider if they still have Project Connect voicemail boxes to distribute. For now, the following providers can offer voicemail boxes to homeless clients who can't get voicemail from their shelter or residential program: Youth on Fire (see p.3), Heading Home (Aman Kubrom at 617-349-6337, based at the Multi-Service Center), and On the Rise (see p. 4). You can also search the internet to find vendors offering free/low cost voicemail accounts, although not necessarily with a local area code. Some of these voicemail services email audio files to the account holder, eliminating the need to call in for messages. Free Income Tax Assistance, is available from mid-January to mid-April from LIFT (see page 4) offices in Cambridge (Multi-Service Center 19 Brookline St near Central Sq, 617-349-6338) and Somerville (Family Center; 366 Somerville Av. in Union Sq.;617-591-9400), and at CEOC (11 Inman St. 617-868-2900). Assistance is also available on a more or less weekly basis from VITA volunteers visiting the Cambridge Public Library (Main Branch, 449 Broadway, 617- 349-4040) and Central Sq. Branch (45 Pearl St., 617-349-4010), and at East End House (105 Spring St., 617-876-4444). All tax-filing assistance is by appointment. __________________ Get Involved: Cambridge-based homeless and formerly homeless persons are invited to participate at the monthly meetings of the Homeless Services Planning Committee (HSPC), which meets 9:00-10:30am on the second Thursday of every month at the Cambridge Multi-Service Center, 19 Brookline St., in Central Square. The HSPC seeks to bring interested people and organizations together to help shape decisions affecting services for homeless individuals and families. Contact Jolyan Cowan 617-349-6069, firstname.lastname@example.com for more information. 16 INDEX by Agency and Program Adbar Ethiopian Women's Alliance Computer Center at 1151 Mass. Av. : 8 AdCare: 12 Aggressive Community Treatment (ACT) Team (see DMH) AIDS Action: 11 Al-Anon: 12 Alcoholics Anonymous:12 American Friends Service Committee: Material Assistance Program: Clothing: 16; Household Furnishings: 7 Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: 13 Boston Bar Association: Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under the Law: 14 Boston GLASS Community Center: GLBT Youth drop-in: 3 Boston Health Care for the Homeless: McGinnis House (dental care): 13 Boston Night Center: 2 Boston Public Library: Higher Education Information Center (HEIC): 9 Boston University Dental School: 13 Bread & Jams (see Eliot Community Human Services) Bridge Over Troubled Waters: 3, Health Van: 11 Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services: 14 Cambridge Camping Association: 15 Cambridge Cares About AIDS: Transitional Housing for Men with HIV/AIDS: 4 Drop-In Spot: 3 Needle Exchange: 12 Transitional Housing for Women with HIV/AIDS: 4 Youth on Fire: 3 HIV/AIDS Services: 11 Permanent Supported Housing: 7 Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities: 1 Cambridge Department of Veterans Services: 6 Cambridge DHSP (see also Cambridge Multi-Service Center): Cambridge Employment Program: 9 Community Learning Center (CLC): Project LIFT: 9 Child Care Division: 15 Fuel Assistance Program: 8 Community Schools Program: 15 Youth Program: 15 Cambridge Employment Program (see Cambridge DHSP) Cambridge Family & Children Services: Parent to Parent (mentor) Program: 7, 15 Cambridge Fuel Assistance Program (see Cambridge DHSP) Cambridge Haitian Services: Interpretation / Translation/ Case Management: 1 Cambridge Head Start: 15 Cambridge Health Alliance: Cambridge Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Room: 12 Neighborhood Health Centers and Teen Health Center: 11 Cambridge Hosp., Somerville Hosp., Heritage Hosp.: 11 Network Health: 11 Dental Clinic at the Windsor St. Health Center: 13 Outpatient Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Unit: 12 Healthy Start: 11 Somerville Hospital Detox: 12 Hospital: Psychiatric Outpatient Unit: 12 Zinberg Clinic: 11 and Zinberg Clinic Food Pantry: 5 Cambridge Hospital (see Cambridge Health Alliance) Cambridge Human Rights Commission: 14 Cambridge Multi-Service Center (a program of the Cambridge DHSP) Family Housing Assistance Program:7 Case Management and Walk-In Services: 4 Carey Men's Transitional Housing at the YMCA: 4 Housing Assistance for Elders & Persons with Disabilities: 7 Cambridge Public Health Commission: Victims of Violence: 13 Cambridge Public Library: Public Access Computers: 8 Cambridge School Department: Bureau of Pupil Services (McKinney funding): 15 Home-Based Programs (Early Childhood, Bilingual, Etc.): 15 Cambridge Senior Center (a program of the Cambridge DHSP / Council on Aging): Community Meals: 5 Drop-In: 3 Food Pantry: 5 Cambridge Somerville Early Intervention: 15 Cambridge Student Partnership: (see LIFT - formerly National Student Partnership) Cambridge Youth Guidance Center: 15 Cambridge YWCA: Family Shelter: 2 Cambridgeport Baptist Church: Clothing Program: 16 Food Pantry: 5 Career Source: 10 Carey Program (see Cambridge Multi-Service Center) CASCAP: Fiduciary Services Program/Representative Payee: 8 17 CASLS: see Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services CASPAR: Emergency Service Center GROW House (Women's Graduate Housing): 4 Day Program for High-Risk Individuals: 3 Mens' Residences: 12 Health Care for the Homeless Clinics: 11 New Day (Residential Program for Pregnant Women) : 12 Emergency Service Center: Shelter: 2, 12 Phoenix Center: 3, 12 FirstSteps Street Outreach Program: 2, 4, 12 Womanplace: 12 GEAR: Clothing / Employment Program: 9, 16 Catholic Charities: Food Pantry: 5 Emergency Assistance: 8 St. Patrick's Shelter: 2 St. Patrick's Health Clinic: 11 CCTV: Computer CENTRAL: 8 Cellphones: see SafeLink Centro Latino (formerly Concilio Hispano): Interpretation / Translation: 1 Substance Abuse Treatment Program: 12 Centro Presente: Interpretation/Translation: 1 CEOC (Cambridge Economic Opportunity Council): Food Pantry: 5 Advocacy (Tenant Issues, Benefits Denials) Child Abuse Hotline: 13 Child Care Resource Center: 15, Computer Center: 8 Children's Clothing Exchange (see Solutions at Work) CLASP (see Shelter Legal Services Foundation) Cocaine Anonymous: 12 Common Care: Food Pantry & Saturday Meal Program: 5 Commonwealth Care: 11 Community Dispute Settlement Center: 14 Community Legal Assistance Project (CLASP) (see Shelter Legal Services Foundation) Community Legal Services And Counseling Center: Legal Services: 14 Mental Health Counseling: 12 Community Treatment Team (CTT) (see DMH) Community Work Services (CWS): 9 Concilio Hispano (see Centro Latino) Dental Clinic at the Windsor St. Health Center (see Cambridge Health Alliance) Dentistry for All (see Massachusetts Dental Society) Disabled Abuse Hotline: 13 DHCD (see DTA: Accessing Family Shelter: 2) DMH PATH Program (see Eliot Community Health Services) DMH (Mass. Department of Mental Health): Assertive Community Treatment Team (Cambridge): 12 Community Treatment Team (Somerville): 12 DSS (Mass. Department of Social Services): Child-At-Risk Hotline: 3 DTA (Mass. Department of Transitional Assistance): Contact Info (Key Agency List): 1 Accessing Family Shelter: 2 Food Stamps: 5 Early Intervention (see Cambridge Somerville Early Intervention) East End House: Food Pantry: 5 Elder Abuse Hotline: 13 Eliot Community Human Services: Bread & Jams Self-Advocacy Drop-In Center: 3 MH Street Outreach in partnership with CASPAR FirstStep: 4 Community-Based MH Services: 12 MH Services at Bread & Jams and Heading Home Drop-Ins: 3 Emerge: Counseling for Batterers: 13 F.E.M.A. (see Catholic Charities) Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston: 14 Faith Lutheran Church: Tuesday Dinner: 5 Federation for Children with Special Needs: 15 First Church Shelter: 2 First Parish Church: Tuesday Dinner: 5 Food Stamps (see DTA) Forsythe School for Dental Hygienists: 13 Health Safety Net Program: 11 Gamblers Anonymous: 12 Geriatric Substance Abuse Program: 12 Haitian Services (see Cambridge Haitian Services) Haley House: Bakery and Cafe Food Service Employment Program: 10 18 Harvard Dental School: 13 Harvard Law School - Tenant Assistance Program: 14 Harvard Legal Aid: 14 Harvard Sq. Meals Program at Christ Church: Thursday Dinner: 5 Harvard Square Homeless Shelter Shelter: 2 HSHS Street Outreach Program: 4 Health Care for the Homeless: 11 Heading Home: Shelter: 2 Permanent Supported Housing: 7 Transitional Housing for Women at the YWCA: 4 Women's Drop-In: 3 Health Care for the Homeless: 11 Healthy Start (see Cambridge Health Alliance) Heritage Hospital (see Cambridge Health Alliance) Higher Education Information Center (HEIC) (see Boston Public Library) Hildebrand Family Self Help Center: Family Shelter: 2 Home-Based Programs (see Cambridge School Department) Homeless Empowerment Project: Spare Change Newspaper: Homeless Services Planning Committee: 16 (see Get Involved) HomeStart: Field-Based Case Management: 4 Housing Search Assistance: 7 Permanent Supported Housing: 7 HSHS Street Outreach Program (see Harvard Square Homeless Shelter) IMPACT (see North Charles Institute for Addictions) Impact Employment Services: 9 The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under the Law (see Boston Bar Association) JRI (see Sidney Borum Health Center) Just a Start's Mediation for Results: 14 Lead Safe Cambridge: 7 LIFT (formerly National Student Partnership): 4, 9 (not to be confused with the Community Learning Center's LIFT program) Loaves and Fishes Saturday Meal Program: 5 Margaret Fuller House: Food Pantry: 5 Technology Center: 8 After-School and Summer Camp: 15 Mass Health (a.k.a. Medicaid): 11 Mass. Advocacy Center (child advocacy): 14 Mass. Av. Baptist Church: Monday and Friday Dinners: 5 Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS): Interpretation / Translation: p.1 Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless: Furniture Bank: 7 Massachusetts Dental Society: Dentistry for All: 13 Mass. Department of Mental Health (see DMH) Mass. Department of Social Services (see DSS) Mass. Department of Transitional Assistance (see DTA) Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary: 11 Mass. Rehab. Commission (MRC): 9 MBTA: Disability T Pass Program: 14 The Ride: 14 McGinnis House (see Boston Health Care for the Homeless) Mediation for Results (see Just-a-Start's Mediation for Results) Meeting Place (see Cambridge Youth Guidance Center) Methadone Maintenance (see North Charles Institute for the Addictions) Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP): Housing Consumer Education Center: 7, 14 (mediation program) Mt Auburn Hospital: Prevention & Recovery Center: 12 Multi-Service Center (see Cambridge Multi-Service Center) Narcotics Anonymous: 12 National Student Partnership (renamed LIFT: see LIFT) Needle Exchange (see Cambridge Cares About AIDS) Network Health (see Cambridge Health Alliance) New Communities Services, Inc.: Permanent Supported Housing 7 New Day (see CASPAR) New England Eye Institute: 11 New England Shelter For Homeless Veterans: 6, Vet Tech Program: 10 North Charles Inc.: Bridge Men's Transitional Housing at the YMCA: 4 North Charles Institute for the Addictions: 12 Old Cambridge Baptist Church: Computer Center (see Adbar Ethiopian Women's Alliance) On the Rise: Women's Safe Haven: 4 19 Operation Able: Employment Services: 10 Outdoor Church: 4 Phillips Brooks House (summer) Transitional Program: 4 Pine Street Inn: Employment Programs (Strive, etc.): 10 Positive Impressions (Women's Professional Clothing) 16 Project Bread: 5 Project LIFT (see Cambridge DHSP: Community Learning Center) Project Place: Employment Programs (Clean Corners, Bright Hopes; Project Pepsi; Project 90): 10 Rational Recovery: 12 Registry of Motor Vehicles: Massachusetts ID: 16 Respond: Domestic Violence Services: 13 The Ride (see MBTA) Rosie's Place: Women's & Children's Clothing Program: 16 Ruby Rogers Advocacy and Drop-In Center: 3 SafeLink Wireless Lifeline Services (free cell phone and minutes): 16 Salvation Army Shelter: 2 Drop-In: 3 Our Place (Child Care): 15 Umoja Men's Transitional Program: 4 Community Meals: 5 Silver Threads Program: 5 Health Care for the Homeless Clinics: 11 Food Pantry: 5 SCM Transportation: 14 Senior Center (see Cambridge Senior Center) Shelter Legal Services Foundation: Community Legal Assistance Project (CLASP): 14 Sidney Borum Health Center: 11, 12 Smiles for Success: Dental Care: 13 Social Security Administration: (Key Agency List) p. 1 Solutions at Work: Children's Clothing Exchange: 16 Get Connected: 8 Moving Up: 7 Somerville Cambridge Elder Services: Title 5 (Employment) Program: 10 Somerville Hospital (see Cambridge Health Alliance) Span (Ex-offender Services): 10, 16 Spare Change: (see Homeless Empowerment Project) St. Francis House: Clothing Program: 16 Dental Care: 13 Employment Programs (Moving Ahead, FirstStep): 10 St. James Church: Food Pantry: 5 St. Patrick: Shelter (see Catholic Charities) St. Paul's AME Church: Food Pantry: 5 Starlight Ministries: 4 Streetlight Ministries: 4 Teen Health Center (see Cambridge Health Alliance) Transition House: Domestic Violence Hotline: 13 Transitional Living Program at the YWCA: 4 Domestic Violence Shelter: 2 Permanent Supported Housing: 7 Tri-City Mental Health (merged with Eliot Community Health Services; see listings for Eliot C.H.S.) Tufts Dental School: 13 U.S. Veterans Administration: 6 Union Baptist Church: Thursday Dinner: 5 United Way: First Call for Help: 8 Vet Tech program (see New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans) Veterans Administration (see U.S. Veterans Administration) Veterans' Benefits Clearinghouse: closed Victims of Violence: (see Cambridge Public Health Commission) Voicemail / Project Connect: 16 Wayside (formerly ShortStop): Transitional Housing for Youth: 3 Western Av. Baptist Church: Food Pantry: 5 WIC Program: 5 Womanplace (see CASPAR) Women of Means: women's health care program: 11 Women's Center: 3, Computer Center: 8 Women's Gathering Place: Thursday Dinner: 5 Youth on Fire (see Cambridge Cares About AIDS) YWCA (see Cambridge YWCA) 20
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10 Dec
Atlanta New Years Eve Party 2015
New Years Eve
10 Dec
New Years Eve
02 Nov
After T.I. performed at the Hawks game with Young Thug they headed to his album release party at Compound night club.
13 May
Monday May 26th is the official Memorial day party of the Summer at Compound night club (3pm-until).
10 Dec
AG Entertainment presents Kevin Hart all black affair masquerade ball New Years eve at compound.
02 Jul
Frank Walker and Mr.Ruggs are having the biggest day party fashion show and celebrity cook off July 4th at the Compound.
14 May
This Saturday (May 7th) Atlanta's own Trinidad James will be in Compound night club.
01 Apr
This Saturday night join Atlanta's own Future at Compound night club.

subset: commoncrawl