Community Resources – Get Help!

SafeLink – Safelink, (877) 785-2020, is a statewide toll-free domestic violence hotline. Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers can reach SafeLink via video relay service using the main number or by TTY at (877) 521-2601.

YWCA Western Massachusetts – 24-hour domestic violence/sexual assault hotline at (413) 733-7100 (TTY/V) or (800) 796-8711 (TTY/V), llamanos Spanish, (800) 223-5001

Domestic Violence Victim Advocate, Westfield – Mary Krol, call or text (413) 693-9977

Alianza – formerly Womanshelter/Companeras, Holyoke, domestic abuse hotline, (877) 536-1628

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (24/7)

BHN The Carson Center: 77 Mill St., Springfield, (413) 568-6141

Behavioral Health Emergency, (413) 568-6386 (24/7)

Samaritans – (877) 870-4673 (24/7)

Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741-741 (24/7)

Trans Lifeline – (877) 565-8860 (24/7) crisis counseling and suicide prevention for the transgender and gender non-conforming community

Trevor Lifeline – (866) 488-7386  (24/7) offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth

The Network La Red – (800) 832-1901 (24/7) for LGBTQ, BDSM and polyamorous communities

National Domestic Violence Hotline – (800) 799-SAFE (7233)

National Sexual Assault Hotline – (800) 656-HOPE (4673)

National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline – (866) 331-9474

Summer Eats Program – Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm St., Westfield, (413) 562-2301

Summer Eats is a totally free-of-charge program that provides free meals to all kids and teens, ages 18 and under, at locations all across Massachusetts during the summer months. Summer Eats will be stopping at the Athenaeum’s Children’s Library from Monday to Friday, 12:15-12:50, until August 24th, 2023.

Westfield Senior Center – 45 Noble St., Westfield, (413) 562-6435

The center sells $3 lunches daily Monday through Friday to those who have reserved a meal by speaking with a staff member between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. that day. Reservations are not taken from voicemail. The meals are available for curbside pickup from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Those participating in activities inside the center may pick up their reserved meal between 11:45 a.m. and noon in the lobby.

Highland Valley Elder Services – 16 Washington St., # 121, Westfield, (413) 586-2000

Highland Valley delivers lunch and dinners Monday through Friday and frozen meals for weekend use to eligible seniors. (See the list below for more on Highland Valley’s services for seniors.)

Westfield Soup Kitchen – Our Community Table, 101 Meadow St., (413) 572-9147

The soup kitchen provides to-go meals from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday through Friday, at 101 Meadow St.

Westfield Food Pantry – 101 Meadow St., (413) 572-0802

For information about food pick-ups, deliveries, and the mobile food pantry/soup kitchen, visit the website. Those in immediate need may visit the Free Little Food Pantry outside the Church of Atonement at 36 Court St.

St. Vincent de Paul Society – 30 Bartlett St., Westfield, (413) 568-5619.
The society offers pre-packed bags of food from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays by appointment.

Food Bank of Western Massachusetts – The agency offers a comprehensive list of current food and meal resources.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps) –  Application assistance is available at (413) 992-6204 from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. SNAP is handled by the Department of Transitional Assistance.

Samaritan Inn – 7 Free St., Westfield, (413) 568-3122 – Shelter for the homeless. Call the shelter first to learn if space is available. The program director can help callers with referrals to other agencies.

Alianza, formerly Womanshelter/Companeras – Holyoke, hotline (877) 536-1628; office (413) 538-9717

Coming Home: SafeLink – (413) 785-2020; office-617-482-2520 – Hotline: Information and assistance with domestic violence.

Friends of the Homeless – 755 and 769 Worthington St., Springfield, (413) 732-3069 – Those seeking shelter should call to do an assessment over the phone.

Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) – 243 Cottage St., Springfield, (413) 858-1000; 72-100 Front St., Holyoke, (413) 552-5400; 298 Federal St., Greenfield, (413) 772-3400 – The DTA is a one-stop shop for multiple housing programs.

Open Door Social Services – 287 State Street, Springfield, (413) 737 – 7062 – Offers including safe living space and assistance for many, including pregnant/parenting teen mothers and their children.

Safety Zone – 246 Park Street, West Springfield, (413)781-6556 – Outreach shelter for youth.

Shared Living Placement and Foster Care – 425 Union Street West Springfield, (413) 734-2493 – Information on foster care and family resources.

Tapestry Health – Located at 17 E Silver St in Westfield, Tapestry offers healthcare and support services, including sexual reproductive health, harm reduction and education. It has a WIC center to help with food and nutrition.

United Way of Pioneer Valley – Dial 2-1-1, (877)-211-6277 – Offers assistance finding food, shelter, transportation, runaway assistance, domestic violence assistance and more.

VA Veterans Homelessness – (877) 4AID-VET; (877) 424-3838 – 24/7 hotline for Veterans in need.

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) Transit Training – PVTA offers Travel Training to individuals of 13 years and older who use the bus routes, but need assistance doing so confidently and independently. Training is provided free-of-charge except for bus fare while training is taking place.

Services offered are:

• Individual Travel Training – Individuals can receive one-on-one instruction on how to ride public transit safely and independently to specific destinations. To enroll, one must complete an intake and pre-assessment (with legal guardian if present if applicable) and sign several legal forms.
• Small Group Orientation – This program orients small groups of consumers to a bus route by travelling on an in-service public bus. To participate, the group must be able to get to a bus stop.
• Train the Trainer – PVTA can provide instruction and resources to staff and volunteers within an organization so they can better understand how the bus system works and can support individuals as they learn to take the bus.

More information and forms for these programs are available at PVTA’s website. They can be reached at mobilitytrainer@pvta.com.

Westfield Council on Aging – 45 Noble St., (413) 562-6435

Highland Valley Elder Services – To report elder abuse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: (800) 922-2275 (see below for full list of Highland Valley’s services for seniors)

Domestic Violence Victim Advocate, Westfield – Mary Krol, call or text (413) 693-9977

SafeLink – SafeLink, (877) 785-2020, is a statewide toll-free domestic violence hotline. Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers can reach SafeLink via video relay service using the main number or by TTY at (877) 521-2601.

YWCA Western Massachusetts – 24-hour domestic violence/sexual assault hotline at (413) 733-7100 (TTY/V) or (800) 796-8711 (TTY/V), llamanos Spanish, (800) 223-5001. Provided are survivor outreach and advocacy services, including individual and group counseling, court advocacy, safety planning, relocation assistance, and resource and referral information. Call (413) 562-5739 in Westfield.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – Western Mass Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous, (413) 532-2111. Many online, phone and Zoom meetings are available; find a meeting in Westfield here.

City of Westfield Opioid Information

CORE of Greater Westfield – The Coalition for Outreach Recovery and Education, formerly known as the Westfield Drug Task Force, can be contacted through Facebook or by calling (413) 642-9322. The coalition offers a compiled substance abuse resource guide, on issues including treatment; help for family and friends; inpatient, outpatient and residential services; community resources. It also offers a link to the vast list of online and phone resources compiled by the Institute for Health and Recovery.

DART (Drug Addiction and Recovery Team) – (413) 588-2335, call or text. Hampshire and Hampden County program, with response team and recovery coaches.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – (866) 624-3578

Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline – (800) 327-5050, available 24 hours a day.

413cares – compiled information on community resources

Look4Help – public resource directory – a program of Community Action Pioneer Valley

Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness – list of resources 

Mass211 – resources compiled by Boston Children’s Hospital for crisis and other help on a wide variety of issues, searchable by ZIP code 

Family Resource Centers – a statewide network of community-based providers offering multi-cultural parenting programs, support groups, early childhood services, information and referral resources, and education for families with children to age 18

Local sites:

• Springfield – Gandara Center, 16 Gaucher St., (413) 733-7699 – remote services
• Holyoke – Enlace Family Resource Center, 299 Main St., (413) 532-9300 – walk-in
• Amherst – CSO’s The Bridge Family Resource Center, 101 University Ave.,
  Suite A3, (413) 549-0297 – walk-in

Network of Care Massachusetts – a directory of more than 5,000 mental health, substance use, and related social services programs and organizations searchable by keyword and zip code and available in more than 100 languages

Mass.gov Covid-19 Updates and Information – daily updates, hotlines, advice, regulations and guidance, getting help, giving help, and affected government services

MassHealth – In Massachusetts, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are combined into one program – MassHealth. The nearest office is at 88 Industry Ave., Springfield. If MassHealth members or those looking to apply need support or have any questions they should call the Customer Service Center at (800) 841-2900 (TTY: 800-497-4648). For help with the MassHealth process, a list of health connector navigators and certified counselors, searchable by town, is available online.
In addition, applicants can apply for benefits online at mahealthconnector.org.

Springfield MA Medicaid – Food Stamp – Welfare Office
310 State St., Springfield, (413) 858-1300, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
95 Liberty St., Springfield, (413) 858-1000, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Help also is available for issues including health care, specialized home care/long-term care, homelessness programs, housing programs, legal assistance, tax credits, transportation services, cash assistance programs, child care and preschools, education programs, employment and job training, energy and utility assistance, financial programs, and food programs.

SHINE – The SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program provides free health insurance information and counseling to all Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers. People who have Medicare or who are about to become eligible for Medicare can meet with a counselor to learn about benefits and options available. A counselor will review programs that help people with limited income to pay health care costs. To find a local SHINE counselor and schedule an appointment, call MassOptions at 800-243-4636, or TTY/ASCll 800-439-2370.

Western Mass Hospital Equipment Loan Program (HELP) – This Mason run program gathers up unwanted medical supplies and gives them out free of charge to those in needs. Check out their Facebook group for information on when and where you can visit for supplies.

Multicultural Resource Center of Massachusetts, 425 Union St., Level B, West Springfield, 413-726-1352

Ascentria Care Alliance – 425 Union St., West Springfield, 413-787-0725

The Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, Office of Immigration, Migration, and Refugee Services – part of the Diocese’s Catholic Charities Agency, call 413-452-0626 or email immigration@diospringfield.org

Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts – 413-737-2601

Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline – Need help finding language classes near you? Call (800) 447-8844

Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants – state programs

US Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS) – federal programs

LEP.gov – federal clearinghouse of resources and information to help limited English proficient (LEP) individuals

MassLegalServices.org – resources and legal, demographic, and other materials to help improve and increase the access of people with limited English proficiency to the legal system, including translation and interpretation access

Immigration Advocates Network – along with resources for non-profits and pro-bono attorneys, offers a National Immigration Legal Services Directory searchable by ZIP code

Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition – extensive curated list of resources

Westfield Council on Aging – 45 Noble St., (413) 562-6435

Westfield Senior Services – Help on issues including food (Western Massachusetts Food Bank, SNAP), fuel assistance, income taxes, legal services, SHINE (for recipients of Medicare/Medicaid), companions, etc., is available. 

SHINE – The SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program provides free health insurance information and counseling to all Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers. People who have Medicare or who are about to become eligible for Medicare can meet with a counselor to learn about benefits and options available. To find a local SHINE counselor and schedule an appointment, call MassOptions at 800-243-4636, or TTY/ASCll 800-439-2370.  In Westfield, the Council on Aging has a SHINE counselor available to help. 

Highland Valley Elder Services – 16 Washington St., # 121, Westfield, (413) 586-2000

Help is available in the categories of home care, information and referral, money management, nutrition, ombudsman advocacy and protective services.

Healthy Families, MSPCC Clinic – Offers various parenting support programs for young parents in need. Offers curriculum, connecting to resources, and goal planning. For more information or to make a referral, visit our website at: https://www.mspcc.org/pregnancy-parenting-support/ , or call our main number at (413) 532-9446.

MassHire Springfield Career Center – 95 Liberty St., (413) 858-2800
The website includes a link to help with filing for unemployment. It includes links to online job fairs, to companies that have listed jobs, free webinars, etc.

MassHire Holyoke Career Center – 850 High St., #1, Holyoke, (413) 532-4900
Employers with questions about unemployment policies can email EmployerHelp@detma.org. To file an unemployment claim call (877) 626-6800 or go to https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-unemployment-benefits. For additional helpful unemployment information and more, go to https://masshireholyoke.org/helpful-unemployment-links/

Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance – The Mass.gov site has a tab on its home page with links to unemployment benefits information amid COVID-19 pandemic, including a link on how to apply and how to reopen a claim. It is available in English, Spanish and 13 other languages.

Massachusetts offers funds and legal help for qualified individuals facing eviction because of overdue rent or mortgage payments. Information is available through this website.

The COVID-19 Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP) has expanded free legal help for low-income tenants and low-income owner-occupants of two- to three-family properties who are anticipating or navigating the eviction process, according to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. These services can be used in coordination with Resolution Massachusetts community mediation services. 

Legal services can be found through CELHP. Residents may also call 2-1-1 or learn more at the Department of Housing and Community Development’s website for renters, homeowners and landlords. 

For more on evictions, tenants may visit Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness, which has a need help tab. In Western Mass., contact Springfield No One Leaves, (413) 342-1804. 

For more information, landlords may visit MassLandlords.Net.

Mass Legal Help – Find practical information about your legal rights in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder – Find offices, agencies and programs that may be able to help you for free or at low cost.

Ask a Law Librarian – Need help finding or using Massachusetts legal information? Contact a Trial Court law librarian!

Hampden County Lawyer Referral Service – Get matched with a local lawyer based on your legal need.