United Neighbors of Fitchburg
18 Fairmount Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
(978) 342-2069
Services: Clothes Closet: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm; Food pantry: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
ESL and GED classes
GED preparation in Spanish (English if needed); ESL classes; ESL Computer classes; Wellness program including Cooking and Nutrition classes, and Zumba; Spanish classes
Adult Education
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
United Way of North Central Massachusetts (fitchburg)
649 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA 01420 (978) 345-1577
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wic Programs, Smoc
7 Bishop Street, 1st floor, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 620-1445
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides free food and nutrition information
to help keep pregnant women, infants, and children under five healthy and strong. Participants receive nutrition counseling and financial support to purchase food staples and infant formula. Receiving WIC benefits will not prevent you from getting a green card. Eligibility is based on income level.
Smoc Substance Abuse Treatment Residential Programs
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 872-4853
Website: http://www.smoc.org/substance-abuse-residential.php
Smoc Daycare Programs
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 620-2373
SMOC Child Care provides quality, full-day/full-year, center-based and family child care, early education and care services to children ages infant through the 5th
grade. Classrooms generally operate Monday through Friday, 7:00–7:30 am until
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm. After school programs operate from 7:00 am – 6:00 pm during school vacations and during the summer. Family child care homes are open Monday–Friday, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Social Security and Medicare Benefits (framingham)
1 Clarks Hill Suite 305, Framingham, MA 01702 1-844-587-1390/1-800-325-0778
Tempo Young Adult Resource Center
68 Henry Street, Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 879-1424
Monday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Tuesday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; Wednesday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm; Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Website: http://tempoyoungadults.org/
Salvation Army – Framingham
35 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01702 (508) 875-3341
Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry
Savers Thrift Store
500 Cochituate Road, Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 875-0225
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Pearl Street Cupboard & Café (united Way of Tri-county)
46 Park Street, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 879-2063
Pantry Hours: Monday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm; Wednesday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm; and 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm; Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Café Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Literacy Unlimited at Framingham Public Library
49 Lexington Street, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 532-5574
Website: http://www.framinghamlibrary.org
Literacy Unlimited is a nonprofit organization in the Framingham Public Library
and the Morse Institute Library in Natick. It provides free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring for about 400 adult learners in the MetroWest area in basic reading, writing, math, HiSET (GED) preparation, citizenship, and English as a second language. There are also conversation groups and survival English classes. Visit or call the office.
Metrowest Free Medical Program
First Parish Church, 110 Edgell Road, Framingham, MA 01701 General: (508) 656-0834
Vision Appointments: (508) 656-0885
Women’s Health Appointments: (508) 656-0834
By Appointment only; check the schedule here:
Website: http://metrowestfreemedicalprogram.org/
The MetroWest Free Medical Program offers free medical care to those who are uninsured and underinsured the MetroWest communities. The program connects with volunteer health care providers, educators, interpreters and other volunteers to make these services possible at our evening locations in Sudbury and Framingham. We speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Metrowest Legal Services
63 Fountain Street, Suite 304, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 620-1830 / 1-800-696-1501
Website: http://www.mwlegal.org/
Free legal services to low-income clients from 36 area towns. They handle housing evictions, domestic violence, and government benefit appeals, and they represent children with special needs. They do not handle criminal cases or lawsuits. Portuguese and Spanish translators.
Metrowest Mediation Services
600 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 872-9495
Website: http://www.metrowestmediationservices.org/
Impartial assistance in resolving serious disputes arising out of personal, family, social, and business relationships. Separation and divorce mediation also available.
Metrowest Regional Transit Authority
15 Blandin Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 935-2222 / Dial-a-ride: (508) 820-4650
MWRTA Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (508) 935-2222
Hope Food Pantry
214 Concord Street (Boston Church of Christ Building), Framingham, MA 01702 (508) 848-2400
Website: HOPEfoodpantry.org
Hours: Saturdays, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Jewish Family Services of Metrowest
475 Franklin Street, Suite 101, Framingham, MA 01702 (508) 366-7191
Website: http://www.jfsmw.org/
Esl Program
100 State Street, Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 626-1510
Website: https://www.framingham.edu/academics/continuing-education/english- language-programs/
Genesis Counseling Services
24 Union Avenue, Suite 11, Framingham, MA 01702 (508) 620-2992
Website: http://www.genesiscounselingservices.org/
Framingham State University, Office of Continuing Education
Dwight Hall 204, 100 State Street, Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 626-4603
Website: https://www.framingham.edu/academics/continuing-education/ Part-time degrees and certificates, professional development and workforce education, English language program etc.
Advocates, Inc. – Linda Fay Griffin House
1881 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 628-6300 / 24-hour Crisis Support 1(800) 640-5432 Website: http://www.advocates.org/
15 Northampton Street, Worcester, MA 01605
(508) 755-8990 / Intake: (508) 755-8990 ext. 0
See a complete description of services in the Central Massachusetts section.
Common Ground Resource Center (smoc Headquarter)
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 620-2690
Employment and Training Resources
1671 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701
(617) 928 0530
Website: http://www.etrcc.com/
Provides individual training programs and career services such as resume writing and interviewing skills. Accepts referrals from the Department of Transitional Assistance. Provides support for economically disadvantaged clients with financial barriers to employment and provides individual training programs.
Essex County Massachusetts assistance programs.
Food banks and pantries – Anyone who needs food, groceries, or perishable items can contact a food bank in Essex County. A number of churches, charities and non- profit organizations distribute food to tens of thousands of local families each and every year. Many of the food banks provide other forms of assistance as well, such as clothing, diapers, baby formula, Christmas meals and gifts, and maybe even limited financial help for bills or other basic needs. Find Essex County food bank locations, and get information on the services they administer.
Holiday help is available from charities and churches. There are also some government supported organizations, such as a non-profit community action agency, which can assist with the following.
• Christmas – Free toys, gifts, winter hats, boot, gift certificates, and other donate items are passed out.
• Thanksgiving – Hot meals, including a Turkey, are served to low income families.
• Easter – Some charities in Lawrence and other parts of the county offer this as well.
• There are a few places to try for help. Read more on holiday assistance in
Essex County.
Household goods, clothes, and seasonal programs are available at clothing banks. If a family does not qualify for free items at those centers, then thrift stores can provide those clothes, furniture and other items at a reduced price. Some of what may be provided from the Essex County non-profit organizations includes free Christmas assistance, winter jackets, general clothing items, and maybe even school supplies. Find Essex Massachusetts clothing centers.
Transportation is also difficult in Essex County Massachusetts. Low income families often need help commuting or free gas vouchers or bus tickets. Seniors need help getting around as well. There are resources, including free transportation for the disabled, that many of these local agencies can help with.
Framingham Adult Esl+
Fuller Middle School,
31 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 626-4282
Free ESL courses
See class schedule and more information: http://www.faesl.org/
Framingham Housing Authority
One John J. Brady Drive, Framingham, MA 01702 (508) 879-7562
Website: http://www.framha.org/