Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni
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Family Support Centers assist individuals and families with comprehensive and individualized services such as information and referrals, service navigation, family trainings, parent networking, community connection and resources, and administration of flexible funding. Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Family Support Centers are located in two areas: Cape Cod and Milford.
Emergency Shelter and transitional housing. Lazarus House Ministries' Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen feeds 225 people daily. We also have a new food pantry that provides groceries to more than 800 families a week. Three thrift stores supply affordable and sometimes free clothing, furniture and household items.
Learn to Cope is a non-profit support network that offers education, resources, peer support and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opiates or other drugs.
Maria Talks is a public health website that contains medically accurate information about issues teens need to know about, like sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, pregnancy, and emergency contraception.
MA Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues.
As part of one of the nation’s largest pro bono legal networks, we have been instrumental in leading vital systemic reform initiatives for over fifteen years. Among our accomplishments Improving access to education for homeless children.
Low-income Massachusetts residents who need help paying for healthy food for their families or need assistance after a financial setback may qualify for temporary food and/or cash assistance programs to improve the quality of their lives.
http://www.mass.gov/portal/articles/massachusetts-food-and-cash-assistance.html
More adults now find themselves needing to return to the classroom on a less than full-time basis. The continuous increase in college costs is also requiring more students to reconsider their enrollment plans and to look at part-time programs as viable alternatives. The Commonwealth has recognized the above needs and established the Part Time-Grant program to serve as a bridge between higher education opportunities and those segments of the Massachusetts population.
MSPCC supports teen and young adult parents beginning at pregnancy. Home visitors offer encouragement and education to parents through each stage of pregnancy and early childhood development.
MassEquality is the leading statewide grassroots advocacy organization working to ensure that everyone across Massachusetts can thrive from cradle to grave without discrimination and oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Match Education is a search engine for researching potential school to send your children. We operate high-performing urban public charter schools, a unique graduate school of education that trains teachers for high-poverty schools, and a hybrid college and jobs program that seeks unprecedented degree completion rates and employment outcomes.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by President Obama in 2010 to make sure that Americans are able to have affordable health insurance coverage. One part of the ACA focuses specifically on youth who were formerly in foster care. Young adults who were in foster care at age 18, or aged out of foster care at 19, may be eligible to receive Medicaid coverage until they are 26.
To apply online, visit ma health connector. Click here to download and print the application.
Watch the video to learn about eligibility, what is covered, and how to sign up:
The mission of My Life My Choice is to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation of adolescents through survivor-led programs that “educate” and empower youth to find their voice and create a positive life path while working to eliminate the violence and victimization of sexual exploitation.
The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the UCC, and equips UCC congregations to become effective witnesses to Christ's extravagant welcome.Open and Affirming" (ONA) is a movement of more than 1,200 churches that welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members. Nearly 250,000 members of the United Church of Christ belong to ONA churches—and our movement is growing.
Page Apartments is a community of 9 one-bedroom apartments designated for young people (ages 18-22) who have extended their relationship with the foster care system and have elected to remain under the supervision of DCF. The Department of Children and Families provides supportive services and guidance to the young people living here. Page residency is by case worker referral only.
http://www.thecalebgroup.org/wp1/find-housing-2-2/massachusetts/paige-apartments-lowell/
Parent Support Groups are free, confidential, and anonymous. These groups serve as a safe place for parents to express frustrations and concerns about their children and families and get advice from other parents who understand.
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
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.
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.