Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni
Do you have a suggestion for a resource program and/or organization we should add? Share a Resource through the new resource request form or e-mail us the resource details and we'll follow up with the organization directly.
Pathways for Children has been a leader in early education and care programs on local, state, and national levels, bringing together children from all walks of life to learn the values of community, respect, and education. Our children learn to value themselves and their place in the world. Although we have built our programs in response to needs in our Cape Ann community, they have become models for other regions.
The toll-free Hotline responds to more than 46,000 calls a year from people across Massachusetts struggling to feed their families. FoodSource Hotline counselors refer callers to food resources in their community as well as provides them with information about school meals, summer meal sites for kids, elder meals programs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.
http://www.projectbread.org/get-help/foodsource-hotline.html
Food –
Kates Kitchen- lunch daily all welcome no questions asked, 413-532-0233
Margaret's Pantry- 413-538-8026
Clothing –
St. Jude's- 413-538-8026
Holyoke Career Closet- 413-552-2564
Mother Mary's- 413-536-5200
Housing- For men in recovery
Loreto House- 413-533-5909
Broderick House- 413-536-9109
McCleary Manor- 413-536-9109
Job Training-
foodWorks @ Kate's Kitchen 413-536-9109
Rachel's Table is a volunteer-based group that transports unserved and unsold prepared and perishable foods that otherwise would be wasted.
This "excess" food is distributed to 35 shelters, soup kitchens and neighborhood pantries that serve our needy neighbors.
We are a community center for poor and homeless women — meals, advocacy, food pantry, lockers, laundry, showers, shelter, ESOL classes, computer classes, pre-GED tutoring, job counselor, housing search, legal services, outreach, public policy, organizing, arts workshops, mental health worker, credit counselor, wellness programming
Located in the Boston neighborhood of Roxbury, Roxbury Village provides up to 18 months of housing for nine young people at a time, as well as intensive services and supports to build necessary resources and skills. Roxbury Village provides assistance with employment services; educational support; access to health services; positive and appropriate peer and adult relationships; strong community connections; and enhanced life skills (e.g. budgeting, financial management, and parenting).
http://www.thehome.org/site/PageServer?pagename=programs_independent_living_roxbury#.VW82-vlViko
The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers and Harbor Light programs have provided spiritual, social, and emotional assistance for men and women who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves. Centers offers residential housing, work, and group and individual therapy, all in a clean, wholesome environment.
Inclusive, comprehensive and smart sexuality information for teens and 20’s
Starting November 1, 2015, Y2Y will provide seasonal overnight shelter to young adults ages 18-24 in Harvard Square. In addition to shelter, Y2Y will offer breakfast and dinner, showers, laundry facilities, storage, as well as case management, in-house legal resources, and medical care. Intake will be done via lottery.
The Sharewood Project offers free, unscheduled health care to the medically underserved populations of the greater Boston area. Services include clinical, case management, laboratory, and other types of health care. All services are open to everyone, including the uninsured, and no appointment is necessary.
http://medicine.tufts.edu/Global-and-Local-Engagement/Sharewood
We are a non-profit, grassroots organization offering Reggio Emilia inspired programs for children and youth ages 2.9-15. Families and children are welcomed regardless of background and cultural differences.Programs include: day programs from Preschool to Kindergarten, (ages 2.9-5), before & after school programs (grades K-8) and summer programs (ages 3.9-15). These programs are designed to empower youth through creation and creativity.
Shortstop is a community-based program that provides housing and transitional care to homeless young adults, ages 18- 22, from the Somerville, Cambridge and Greater Boston areas. ShortStop offers a variety of services including educational and vocational support services for young people transitioning to adulthood. Shortstop assists each young adult to make a successful transitional to stable permanent living situations by promoting independent living skills in a supportive environment.
http://www.waysideyouth.org/shortstop-transitional-housing-co-ed/
Our primary goal is to establish and build relationships with runaway, homeless & street-dependent youth ages 13-25. Life skills focused on are:
1. Anger Management Sessions
2. Increased tutoring services for GED, job hunting/resume building
3. Financial Management
4. Improving Communications
5. Study Skills
6. Goal Setting
7. Behavior Management Class
8. Social Events for homeless and at-risk youth/families
Provides transitional housing and outreach services for up to 8 homeless, unaccompanied, young adults ages 18 – 24 , in Indian Orchard who meet the HUD definition of homelessness. The goal is to provide them with a safe place to live and to help them develop life skills to live independently.
Guide written by the Massachusetts Court Improvement Program in partnership with other co-authors. This guide is for foster youth in Massachusetts age 14 up to the age of 22 aimed at helping transition age youth make the most of DCF Custody. The fourth edition of paper copies are now available and MassNFCA is a co-author. Contact manetworkfostercarealumni@gmail.com if you'd like paper copies of the Answer Book for distribution to foster youth in MA. The online version of The Answer Book is accessible through the Mass Court Improvement Program website link below.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/youth-resource-the-answer-book-2018/download
Programs for kids, teens, and adults, such as science, dance, theater, and yoga.
There is a growing effort to bring history back into focus and to correct many misconceptions about the relationship of Native People, such as us, and the founding of the United States. Educational and cultural programs: Library & Information Resources, Language & Music Program, Traditional Drum & Singing. The Social services are Information & Referrals with NEDOBAK Network Help Line Legal Clinic. Religious services are also important to our people. Ceremonies & Marriage with a Spiritual Counseling is provided to all members.
As a foster parent, take comfort in knowing that your child's health and well-being are cared for by the FaCES (Foster Children Evaluation Services) Clinic. The clinic opened in 2003 to provide timely, high-quality health care evaluations for children in foster care in the Worcester area. Thanks to the collaboration between our Division of General Pediatrics and the Worcester's Department of Children and Families, foster health care is more coordinated. Children ages birth to 18 years old. All children enter care MUST have a health care screening within 7 calendar days and have a complete medical exam within 30 calendar days of placement.
The mission of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is to feed our neighbors in need and lead the community to end hunger. In Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties in Western Massachusetts, approximately one in every eight people suffers from chronic food shortages or needs emergency food assistance. In some areas, rates of hunger and food insecurity are more than six times higher than the Massachusetts statewide average.
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. We are committed to increasing our food distribution to provide at least ONE MEAL A DAY to every person in need in eastern Massachusetts.