COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE
You are not alone. It is not uncommon for people to find themselves experiencing a personal crisis. Whether it is related to health, safety, finances, or something else, we have resources below to help.
Crisis resources
Emergency assistance for survivors of violence or abuse
HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change): (24-hour hotline: 1-800-547-1649) Free services for victims of abuse. Services include emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and support groups.
Adult Protective Services – To report suspected Elder Abuse, call the Massachusetts
Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275. In an emergency, call 911. Non-emergency reports can be filed online.
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: (1-800-841-8371) The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center has a 24/7 hotline for survivors of sexual violence ages 12 or older. The hotline is also available to survivors’ friends and families, as well as other professionals.
SafeLink / casa myrna : 1-877-785-2020. SafeLink is for anyone who is being affected by domestic violence or dating violence. Volunteers at SafeLink speak English and Spanish, and SafeLink also has a service that can provide translation in more than 130 languages. People who are D/deaf or hard of hearing can reach SafeLink through MassRelay.
The Network/La Red: (1-800-832-1901) The Network/La Red hotline provides support, information, and safety planning to anyone in the LBGTQ community who is being abused or has been abused by a partner. The hotline is also open to friends and family and others who work on domestic violence issues in the LGBTQ community. The hotline is available 24/7.
Mental health crisis support
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. Available 24/7 by text, WhatsApp, or online chat (En Español).
Disaster Distress Helpline: (1-800-985-5990) SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-days-a-year crisis counseling and support (En Español).
Samaritans Statewide Helpline: (1-877-870-4673) Available 24/7 to anyone in Massachusetts who needs emotional support. Anyone can call or text the helpline to receive help from specially trained volunteers.
National Runaway Safeline: (1-800-786-2929) 24/7 assistance for youth who have run away, are thinking about running away, or who already ran away but are ready to come home. Parents and guardians can also contact the hotline if they are worried about their child running away or having already left home. Youth, parents, and guardians can also use the online chat feature or text 66008.
Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL): available 24/7, 365 days a year, to all Massachusetts residents. The helpline is available to call or text 833-773-2445, or to chat online at masshelpline.com. For individuals who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, the BHHL can be reached through MassRelay at 711.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (988 or 1-800-273-8255) 24/7 network of local crisis centers available to provide support for youth and adults in any emotional crisis. Also available by online chat.
The Trevor Project: (1-866-488-7386) 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth. Youth can also text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200 or use the online chat feature on The Trevor Project’s website. TrevorText is available Monday-Friday between 3-10 PM. TrevorChat is open seven days a week between 3-10 PM.
For Parents/Caregivers
handhold (MA DMH): Created by a team of mental health and child development experts in partnership with parents to guide you in caring for your child’s mental health and emotional well-being.
For Adults
Mental health and addiction services
Alcoholics Anonymous: Find local meeting information and helpful literature.
Learn to Cope: A peer-led support network that offers education, resources, and hope for family members and friends who have loved ones affected by substance use disorder.
DrugRehab.com: Filled with tools and resources to overcome addiction and pursue lifelong recovery.
Find a Therapist in Massachusetts (Psychology Today): Includes qualifications, specialties, and a personal statement.
NAMI Massachusetts COMPASS: COMPASS is the information and referral helpline at NAMI Massachusetts. They provide resources and support to help people navigate the complex mental health system and solve problems under challenging circumstances (En Español).
NAMI Massachusetts Family Support Groups: Meeting by conference call (En Español).
Therapy Matcher (NASW MA): Free telephone referral service has connected thousands of people with licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSWs) across Massachusetts
Services for caregivers and care recipients
Adult Foster Care of the North Shore: Provides family, financial, and social support for caregivers, clients, and professionals.
Services for seniors
National Elder Fraud Hotline – call 833–372–8311 for free assistance. This hotline is a free resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office for Victims of Crime for people to report fraud, scams, or financial abuse against anyone age 60 or older. Available 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.
SeniorCare:Provides services for elders enabling them to live independently while remaining part of their community.
North Shore Elder Services: Offers a variety of services and programs for elders.
Rockport Senior Center and Council on Aging (978-546-2573): the Senior Center is located at 58 Broadway, Rockport, MA, 01966.
Housing, financial assistance, job search support, and additional resources
Wellspring House: Help finding local shelters, affordable housing, and job training.
Action Inc.: Local branch of the Community Action Partnership assists all on Cape Ann struggling with poverty.
Action Inc. Fuel Assistance Program: Help with heating costs and energy efficiency.
The Open Door Food Pantry: Offers weekly curbside grocery pickup, as well as pet food and diapers.
Department of Unemployment Assistance: Apply for unemployment or report benefits fraud. Información para Solicitantes del Seguro de Desempleo (DUA)
Fun and Entertainment
For everyone
Cape Ann Trails: Take a look at the many hiking and walking trails of the area, for even for detailed information including beaches and town landings, look through the Rockport Trail Guide.
For kids and families
Authors Everywhere: This is a Youtube Channel created and run by children’s book writers and illustrators. You’ll find workshops, readings, activities, art projects, writing games, writing advice, and more on this channel.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka: “Draw Every Day” videos with award-winning Massachusetts writer and illustrator.
#StoryMarch & #StoryMarchWrite: A fun way for artists and writers of every age to stretch themselves a little and have fun using prompts every day to inspire creativity!
Story Preservation Initiative: You’ll find a selection of audio stories from three master storytellers on the K-3 Storytelling Learning Lab, found at www.storypreservation.org. To access, click K-3 Learning Lab on the blue banner. A one-time registration is required, then click on “storytellers” and listen and enjoy at no cost.
Spanish children’s stories (The Spanish Experiment): Children’s stories in Spanish, spoken by a native Spanish speaker. Great for kids and adults too! Read along in Spanish or English. The site includes free Spanish lessons.
Tip: Scroll to the bottom to find similar sites for French, German, and Italian!
Skype a Scientist: This organization offers children and families opportunities to interact with scientists from around the world. Click the “Events” tab to view pre-planned live group sessions, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, click “For Families,” and you will be matched with your very own scientist to chat about science (En Español)!
Free Family History Activities for Kids: Free, easy-to-do activities will keep kids entertained and get them thinking about their family history. From American Ancestors and the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Storyline Online: Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
Mazza Museum Storytimes: Upbeat, fun stories for morning and evening stories to help you wind down for the night. From the Mazza picture book museum in Ohio.
Story Time From Space: Story Time from Space is a project of the Global Space Education Foundation
Please let us know if you have questions regarding this resource guide!