Resources for Somerville Families

Instructions to translate into your language: Click on the word “Translate” at the top. Click “Select Language.” You will be able to see the list of all available languages. Search for the language of your preference and select it.

Instrucciones para traducir al español: Haga clic en la palabra “Translate” (Traducir) que aparece en la parte superior. Haga clic en “Select Language” (Seleccionar idioma). Usted podrá ver la lista de todos los idiomas disponibles. Busque el idioma de su preferencia y selecciónelo.

Instruções para traduzir para português: Clique na palavra “Translate” (Traduzir) que aparece na parte superior. Clique em “Select Language” (Selecione o idioma). Você verá uma lista de idiomas. Desça até o final para encontrar o seu idioma e clique nele.

Instructions for translating into Haitian Creole: Klike sou tèks ki anwo la ki ekri “Translate” (Tradwi). Klike sou tèks ki ekri “Select Language” (chwazi lang). Ou pral wè yon lis lang. Fè li glise desann pou w jwenn lang ou a, epi klike sou li.

• Emergency Situations
• Who can help in the City of Somerville
• Who can help in Somerville Public Schools
• Childcare
• Employment and Tax Resources
• Food Resources
• Health Resources
• Housing and Rental Assistance
• Legal Resources
• Mental Health Resources
• Multilingual Health and Mental Health Organizations
• Workers' Rights Resources
• How to Stay Informed in Somerville

Call 911 if you need immediate help.

Open 24 hours.

If you are experiencing anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, emotional outbursts, or a substance use crisis, you can call the Mental Health Access line at anytime during the day or night.

If you have having a domestic violence crisis, call the hotline.

During regular office hours, Mondays - Fridays, 9a.m. - 5p.m. call 617-623-5900 to speak with someone at respondinc.org.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Open 24 Hours.

The Suicide Helpline has volunteers who will listen to you and support you in whatever feelings you want to share. Volunteers may ask your name, but you do not need to disclose your name if you don't feel comfortable.

For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Veterans: call 988 or text 838255.

samaritanshope.org

The Somerville Public Library Social Worker, Jake Savage, LICSW, (hablo español) offers free & confidential support. Free interpretation is available upon request.

You can visit one of the Somerville Libraries during the following times and locations. No appointments are necessary:

• Mondays: 2-5 pm at West Branch Library (40 College Ave)
• Tuesdays: 2-5 pm at the Central Library (79 Highland Ave)
• Wednesdays: 9-11 am at East Branch Library (115 Broadway)

To schedule an appointment:

• Sign up here: cal.com/splsocialworker or
• Email splsocialworker@somervillema.gov.

The Somerville Public Library Social Worker can help:

• Answer questions about your eligibility for benefits, such as SNAP, cash assistance, SSI/SSDI;

• Support you with completing health insurance forms such as MassHealth/Medicaid or Health Connector;

• Connect you with food, housing, or employment resources;

• Recommend LGBTQ+ resources, and more.

The Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs can connect immigrant and multilingual residents to the following:

• City Services
• Food and rental assistance
• Small business support
• Legal assistance, and more.

Call 617-625-6600, followed by extension numbers below:

• ext. 2122 or 2624 for Spanish
• ext. 2123 or 2627 for Portuguese
• ext. 2622 or 2625 for Haitian Creole
• ext. 2610 for Nepali
• ext. 2626 for Mandarin and Cantonese
• ext. 2623 for support in other languages

Or visit: www.somervillema.gov/ContactSOIA

Community Health Workers can meet with you at the following times and location. No appointments necessary:

• Location: Connexion Church, 149 Broadway
• Dates in 2025: Every other Thursdays
• April 3 & 17
• May 1, 15, 29
• June 12 & June 26
• Times: 11a.m. - 1p.m.

Email CHW@somervillema.gov or call to make an appointment:

• Han Hogan-Rigg: 857-270-8274
• Cynthia Bonilla (hablo español): 857-270-4643
• Emmanuel Charles (mwen pale kreyòlayisyen): 781-808-6515

Community Health Workers can help you with

• SNAP applications
• MassHealth applications
• Food pantry list
• Shelter list
• Narcan training
• Referrals to other city programs

The Health and Human Services can help you with the following topics:

• Counseling and referral to mental health services
• Utility and benefit assistance (SNAP, reduced utility rates, RAFT, etc.)
• Teen employment & career readiness workshops
• Referrals to housing, employment, financial literacy, legal assistance, and other resources, and more.

Request services from Somerville's HHS Department here: form.jotform.com/220795856335062

Call 617-625-6600 ext. 6990 or email sfn@k12.somerville.ma.us to learn more.

If you have a child who is a newborn to 5 years-old, the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) offers multilingual playgroups and parent support groups.

Call 617-629-5670

• Call the SPS Enrollment Office with questions about school enrollment and intra-district transfers.
• Make an appointment to work with an enrollment specialist between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. by emailing enrollment@k12.somerville.ma.us.
• To withdraw a student, please contact your school's main office.

Contact your liaison here: somerville.k12.ma.us/liaisons.

Family and Community Liaisons can:

• Help families feel welcomed at school;

• Arrange interpretation for school meetings;

• Connect families to services and resources, and more.

Somerville Public Schools can offer free notary services for families who have children registered in our schools. Contact your family liaison, who can make arrangements on your behalf. This service is for families in the Somerville Public Schools only. This service is not available for the general public.

Families in Somerville Public Schools who need support with housing and/or basic needs should contact

• Regina Bertholdo, 617-625-6600 ext. 6994 or 781-468-6422 or email rbertholdo@k12.somerville.ma.us

• Jennifer Ochoa, 617-625-6600 ext. 6996 or 617-839-5298 or email jochoa@k12.somerville.ma.us

Bullying is when a student or school staff member (like a teacher, nurse, coach, or bus driver) repeatedly uses words, actions, or technology to hurt or threaten someone. Learn more about Somerville Public Schools' Bullying Prevention Policies and Resources.

Submit an anonymous bullying report: somerville.k12.ma.us/node/4281

Leave a voicemail at the SPS bullying hotline 617-629-5222, or email bullying@k12.somerville.ma.us.

Call 211 ext. 23

The Department of Early Education & Care can help pay for a part of a family’s childcare expense based off of their household size and income. Due to limited funding, there is a waitlist at this time. However, you can call 211 ext. 23 to get onto the waitlist. For more information: Mass 211 Child Care Services and Financial Assistance

Call 617-542-5437 (KIDS)

Visit the Child Care Choice of Boston to learn more: https://cccboston.org/parents/#parentforms

Visit the Somerville Partnership for Young children website, which has an interactive map of childcare providers throughout the City of Somerville: somervillechildren.org/find-options

Call 781-296-2278 for the Youth and Family Resource Navigator.

You may also send a referral here.

Language Capacity: English, Spanish, Portuguese

If you have any questions about childcare or you would like more support, you may contact the Youth and Family Resource Navigator. This person will connect you with programs and resources in the area.

To make a referral, call 617-625-6600 ext. 2581 or complete this form: form.jotform.com/230557180496057

50 Evergreen Ave. Somerville, MA 02145

The Office of Housing Stability can help you:

• Get financial assistance for rent, mortgage arrears, and start-up rental costs;
• Apply for affordable housing and Section 8 vouchers;
• Access an emergency shelter;
• Learn about legal services and tenant rights, and more.

Families in Somerville Public Schools who need support with housing and/or basic needs should contact

• Regina Bertholdo, 617-625-6600 ext. 6994 or 781-468-6422 or email rbertholdo@k12.somerville.ma.us

• Jennifer Ochoa, 617-625-6600 ext. 6996 or 617-839-5298 or email jochoa@k12.somerville.ma.us

Call 617-623-7370.

66-70 Union Square, Suite 104. Somerville, MA 02143

caasomerville.org

CAAS Can help with the following:

• Eviction Prevention

• Housing Search

• Case Management

• Community Organizing

• Tenant Rights

Call 617-623-6111.

1 Davis Square. Somerville, MA 02144

somervillehomelesscoalition.org/rapid-response

SHC can help residents with

• Eviction Prevention

• Rental Start Up Costs

• Short-term Rental Subsidy

• Section 8 Voucher Assistance

• Other Financial Assistance

Call 617-665-6234

51 Inman St., Basement Level, Cambridge, MA 02139

** Renters & Homeowners in Somerville and Cambridge are eligible to apply.

The Fuel Assistance Program, also known as the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), helps income-eligible households pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30.

Apply here: www.toapply.org/CCDHS

The City of Somerville's Health and Human Services can support with food, basic needs and legal advocacy services. Submit an online referral form: form.jotform.com/220795856335062

Family Liaisons have information about how to support Somerville Public Schools families with food. Please contact your family liaison, and they will connect you with resources.

Somerville’s Community Health Workers can help with applications for benefits:

Han Hogan-Rigg: 857-270-8274

Cynthia Bonilla (hablo español): 857-270-4643

Emmanuel Charles (mwen pale kreyòlayisyen): 781-808-6515

Or call Community Action Agency of Somerville: 617-623-7370 ext.145.

Are you 60+?

Contact: Somerville Cambridge Elder Services, 617-628-2601 or

Council on Aging, 617-625-6600 x 2300

For a list of food pantries, community meals, and community fridges, click on the button below.

www.mass.gov/economic-assistance-cash-benefits

For assistance, contact the Somerville Public Library Social Worker: splsocialworker@somervillema.gov or make an appointment here: cal.com/splsocialworker.

www.caasomerville.org/free-tax-preparation

If you lost your job and have a social security number and work authorization permit, you can apply for unemployment insurance. For more information visit mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance

Call 617-410-9917.

SCC offers multilingual support when applying for unemployment insurance or looking for work.

somervillecdc.org

The SomerViva: Office of Immigrant Affairs connects immigrant and multilingual neighbors in Somerville with the following

• City Services
• Food and rental assistance
• Small business support
• Legal assistance and more.

Call 617-625-6600, followed by extension numbers below:

ext. 2122 or 2624 for Spanish

ext. 2123 or 2627 for Portuguese

ext. 2622 or 2625 for Haitian Creole

ext. 2610 for Nepali

ext. 2626 for Mandarin and Cantonese

ext. 2623 for support in other languages

Or contact the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs by clicking the button below. Then click on “Apply” at the top right corner to submit a request.

• English
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• Haitian Creole
• Nepali
• Chinese (Traditional) / Chinese (Simplified)

Call Hotline (617) 505-8940 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10AM-6PM. Text Message at all other times. 24-48 HOURS Response.

Languages: Spanish and English (Dial 2 for Spanish).

Email: francisca@masscoch.org or info@masscosh.org.

1532B Dorchester Ave, Dorchester MA 02122

The Immigrant Worker Center is a safe place for immigrants to speak up about workplace abuse. masscosh.org/programs/immigrant-worker-center

Call 617-565-6924.

Languages: English, Dial 8 for Spanish, Dial 9 for Portuguese

Direct line for Spanish & Portuguese: 781-664-2915.

You may submit anonymous reports.

Contact OSHA for

• Unsafe working conditions

• Safety and health violations

• Employer retaliation for reporting unsafe or unhealthy conditions

• Emergencies

• Catastrophes

• Severe injuries

(617) 202-5775. Ask to speak with Pietra Adami: pietra@verdeamaelo.org

Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English

697 Cambridge St Brighton, MA 02135

www.verdeamarelo.org/bwg/services/

info@braziliancenter.org (best way to contact is via email).

617-783-8001

Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, Haitian Creole

14 Harvard Ave Fl 2 Allston, MA 02134

braziliancenter.org

The Brazilian Worker Center can help families to find temporary and stable housing, offer information on rights and immigration processes, distribute food and essential items, and connect families with programs and partner organizations.

(617) 357-4499

justice@cpaboston.org

Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Taisan, English

28 Ash St. Boston, MA 02111

cpaboston.org/en/programs/workers-center

The Workers Center promotes awareness of workers’ rights, provides support for collective action, organizes the unemployed and the unorganized, and much more.

Every person living in Massachusetts is eligible for insurance coverage, regardless of immigration status. (Even if you are unhoused, in a shelter or living with friends, there are ways to apply).

Call 617-665-1100 to get help with applying for health insurance. You will be able to talk with a member of the Cambridge Health Alliance Financial Assistance team.

Monday - Friday, 8:30a.m. to 5p.m.

They speak many languages!

What do you need to get health insurance in Massachusetts?

• Proof that you live in Massachusetts full time.
• Documents that show how much money you make (household income).
• A picture ID, if you have one.

How can having health insurance help you? Insurance can help pay for all or some of these costs:

• doctor visits
• emergency room visits
• prescription drugs
• hospital services
• mental health care
• alcohol and drug treatment

Health Care For All is a statewide multilingual phone service that can help you answer questions about healthcare coverage and help you sign up for health insurance. This is a free service.

Call the HelpLine: 1-800-272-4232

• Press 1 for English
• Press 2 for Spanish
• Press 3 for Portuguese
• Press 4 for Haitian Creole

If you would like in-person support, schedule a meeting with a Somerville Community Health Worker:

• Han Hogan-Rigg: 857-270-8274

• Cynthia Bonilla (hablo español): 857-270-4643

• Emmanuel Charles (mwen pale kreyòlayisyen): 781-808-6515

Primary Care: Become a New Patient at the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA)

Call 617-665-1305 between 8:30AM-5PM.

Or, you can call one of the primary care centers directly using the numbers listed below. If you haven't had a Primary Care visit at the Cambridge Health Alliance in three years or more, you will need to make a new patient visit.

**Care Center hours may vary based on location. Please click on links below to see hours of operation.

• CHA Broadway Care Center: 300 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145. 617-284-7500
• CHA Union Square Family Health: 5 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville, MA 02145. 617-665-3370
• CHA Somerville Pediatrics: 236 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143. 617-591-4440
• CHA Urgent Care Center: 33 Tower Street, Somerville, MA 02143. 617-591-4700

Atrius Health: Somerville

40 Holland Street, Somerville. 617-629-6300

Atrius Health: Cambridge

1611 Cambridge Street, Cambridge. 617-661-5575

Cambridge Health Alliance: Somerville Pediatrics

236 Highland Avenue, Somerville. 617-591-4440

Cambridge Health Alliance: Assembly Square Center

5 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville. 617-591-6840

Massachusetts General Hospital

55 Fruit Street, Boston. 617-726-2000

Massachusetts General Hospital Healthcare Center

73 High Street, Charlestown. 617-724-8135

Call 617-575-5690 to make an appointment.

The Teen Health Center is located inside Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue.

Teens in Somerville can get physicals, immunizations, mental health evaluations, and much more at the health center. Visit website to learn more: challiance.org/locations/somerville/somerville-teen-connection

**If students need health insurance, please call the Cambridge Health Alliance Financial Assistance team at 617-665-1100.

Open 24 hours. Call / text the Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL): 833-773-2445

To chat online: masshelpline.com

The Behavioral Health HelpLine (BHHL) connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use. The phone line is available 24/7, 365 days per year, is free and available for all residents of Massachusetts, even if you do not have insurance.

Call 833-222-2030 for Crisis services and new patient appointments.

Call 617-665-3458 for patients already in treatment.

There is a walk-in service for people of all ages. When you visit, you will get an assessment to identify what kind of support and treatment you will need. Walk-in locations:

• 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge. First Floor, Cahill Building or

• 195 Canal Street, Malden, MA 02148

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00am to 8:00pm and Saturday-Sunday: 9:00am to 5:00pm. Closed major holidays.

Asian Women for Health offers workshops on health topics for the Asian community and also trains Community Health Workers from diverse backgrounds to support immigrant communities.

asianwomenforhealth.org

Brazilian Worker Center offers support with MassHealth Applications, and offers a mental health and wellness programs to immigrant workers.

info@braziliancenter.org (the best way to contact is via email).

braziliancenter.org/health-and-wellness-initiatives

Casa Esperanza, Inc. is a bilingual and bicultural behavioral health center that provides care and services in Spanish and English for the Latine community in Massachusetts. They offer clinical treatment and support groups for mental health, substance use disorders, trauma and other behavioral health conditions.

www.casaesperanza.org

Healing & Wellness provide mental health services for migrant populations, and is a part of the Haitian Mental Health Network.

www.hwmigrants.org

Contact: Service@hwmigrants.org

MAPS serves the Brazilian, Cabo Verdean, Portuguese and other Portuguese-speaking communities. They provide direct social and health services, and much more.

362 Somerville Avenue, Somerville.

Click here for directions.

617-764-2091

maps-inc.org

Call 311 from within Somerville

Call 617-666-3311 from outside of Somerville

Language interpretation is available at no cost to you.

For TTY callers, call 866-808-4851.

Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking operators are available during regular business hours.