#  Resources for Families 

 

      ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/c93d9201-8661-40ce-8fad-3bcc530086db/Food-Pantry-IMG_0656?io=transform:fill,width:1000px&format=webp)  

 

Every family needs support. This guide shares local resources that can help with baby supplies, food, housing, mental health, and parenting support. These programs are here to help you and your baby stay healthy and supported.

You don’t have to do this alone—social workers can help you find resources. Ask your provider for a referral.

Need help now? BMC’s THRIVE program offers personalized support.

### THRIVE: Improving How You Live and Stay Healthy

Having good health means more than just medical care. It means having basic things like food, a stable home, transportation, education, and jobs. That is why we created [THRIVE](/node/174223/ "THRIVE | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)"), a special program that helps patients connect with resources at the hospital and in the community. The program works to meet immediate needs like food and housing, while also helping patients find opportunities for education and jobs to build a better future.

[Find Help Now](https://thrivecommunityresources.org/ "Thrive Community Resources by findhelp (thrivecommunityresources.org)")

[Learn More about THRIVE at BMC](/node/174223/ "THRIVE | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)")



## Meals and Food Support

- [BMC Preventive Food Pantry](/nourishing-our-community/preventive-food-pantry "Preventive Food Pantry | Boston Medical Center"): Talk to your provider for a referral.
- [Community Servings](https://www.servings.org/meal-delivery/application-process/ "Apply to Receive Meals | Community Servings (servings.org)"): Apply in English, Español, or Português to receive free home-delivered meals.
- [Vital Connections](https://www.vitalcxns.org/food "Food Resource Guides | Vital Connections (vitalcxns.org)"): Up-to-date information in English, Español, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Kriolu Kabuverdianu, and Tiếng Việt about Boston-area locations offering free meals and food.
- [Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program](https://www.mass.gov/orgs/women-infants-children-nutrition-program "Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program | Commonwealth of Massachusetts (mass.gov)"): Get help with food, breastfeeding support, and baby formula.

## Help with Daily Needs

Need help with rent, childcare, or bills?

- [BMC StreetCred](/node/174964 "StreetCred | Boston Medical Center"), a program for BMC patients, offers free financial coaching, tax preparation, and help connecting to other resources.
- [Mass 211](https://mass211.org/ "Mass 211: A Program of United Way (mass211.org)") is a United Way program that can help you get connected to local resources. [Call 211](tel:211) to get started.
- [Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/paid-family-and-medical-leave-pfml-overview-and-benefits "Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) overview and benefits | Commonwealth of Massachusetts (mass.gov)"): The PFML program provides financial support for many Massachusetts residents who take time off from work after having a baby.
- [MassHealth Transportation](https://www.mass.gov/how-to/request-transportation-for-a-member "MassHealth: Human Service Transportation Office: Request transportation for a member | Commonwealth of Massachusetts (mass.gov)") (PT1) provides non-medical transportation to appointments, based on insurance eligibility.

## Immigration Help

- [BMC Refugee Women’s Health Clinic](/departments/obstetrics-and-gynecology/refugee-womens-health-clinic "Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology: Refugee Women’s Health Clinic | Boston Medical Center"): Get healthcare sensitive to your needs as a refugee or immigrant.
- [Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)](https://miracoalition.org/ "MIRA Coalition (miracoalition.org)"): Learn your [rights](https://miracoalition.org/news/know-your-rights/ "Know Your Rights | MIRA Coalition (miracoalition.org)") and get support.

## Parenting Groups

Get support from professionals and other parents.

- [The Basics](https://thebasicsboston.org/basics-insights/ "Insights | The Basics (thebasics.org)"): Text messaging program that helps parents and caregivers incorporate early childhood enrichment into daily routines from birth through age five
- [Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts](https://familynurturing.org/ "Family Nurturing Center (familynurturing.org)") (website available in multiple languages): Local parenting classes, enrichment events for young children, and resources
- [First Connections](https://jri.org/?program=first-connections "First Connections | JRI: Justice Resource Institute (jri.org)"): This program offers free family support services and resources for parents with young children in Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Hanscom Air Force Base, Littleton, Lincoln, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford

## Baby Supplies

These places can help you get what you need for your new baby, like car seats, clothes, and diapers.

- [MassHealth Pregnancy Benefits](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/information-for-pregnant-masshealth-members "Information for Pregnant MassHealth Members | Commonwealth of Massachusets (mass.gov)"): MassHealth members can get [breast pumps](/bump-beyond/newborn-care/feeding-your-baby/choosing-breast-pump), [car seats](/bump-beyond/newborn-care/safety/car-seat-safety), and diapers
- [Room to Grow](https://www.roomtogrow.org/apply-now "Apply Now | Room to Grow (roomtogrow.org)"): This program can help families during a baby’s first three years
- [La Colaborativa](https://la-colaborativa.org/ "La Colaborative (la-colaborativa.org)"): This community organization focuses on helping Latinx immigrants, including newly arrived, undocumented, or non-English-speaking individuals—as well as low-income tenants, workers, and families.
- [Eliot Family Resource Center](https://www.facebook.com/EliotchsFRC "Eliot Famly Resource Center on Facebook (facebook.com)"): Massachusetts Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are a statewide network of community-based providers offering multicultural parenting programs, support groups, and more. This one is in Saugus.

## Childcare

Need help with childcare?

[Check These Resources](/bump-beyond/during-pregnancy/getting-ready-baby/finding-childcare "Bump & Beyond: Finding Childcare | Boston Medical Center")

## Mental Health Support

Stressed or depressed and need help?

- [BMC Integrated Behavioral Health](/departments/psychiatry/integrated-behavioral-health "Department of Psychiatry: Integrated Behavioral Health Program | Boston Medical Center"): Ask for a referral to the BMC IBH team. They provide:
    - Evaluation
    - Short-term counseling
    - Help with safe medicines (when needed)
- [BMC Community Behavioral Health Center](/cbhc "Community Behavioral Health Center | Boston Medical Center") offers:
    - Walk-in appointments
    - A 24/7 hotline for urgent mental health support: [800.981.HELP](tel:800.981.HELP)

Other ways to get help:

- [National Maternal Mental Health Hotline](https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline "National Maternal Mental Health Hotline | U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (mchb.hrsa.gov)"): Call or text [833.TLC.MAMA](https://833.852.6262) ([833.852.6262](tel:833.852.6262))
- [Parents Helping Parents’ Parent Stress Line](https://parentshelpingparents.org/stressline "24/7 Parent Stress Line | Parents Helping Parents (parentshelpingparents.org)"): Call [800.632.8188](tel:800.632.8188)
- [Postpartum Support International (PSI) HelpLine in English and Spanish](https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-helpline/ "PSI HelpLine (English & Spanish) | Postpartum Support International (postpartum.net)")
    - Call [800.944.4773](tel:800.944.4773), or
    - Text “Help” to [800.944.4773](tel:800.944.4773) (English) or [971.203.7773](tel:971.203.7773) (Español)

[Learn about Mental Health Issues That Can Happen in New Parents](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/mental-health/mental-health-after-birth "Bump & Beyond: Emotions After Birth | Boston Medical Center")

[Learn How You Can Care for Your Mental Health](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/mental-health/mental-health-after-your-babys-birth "Bump & Beyond: Caring for Your Mental Health After Your Baby’s Birth | Boston Medical Center")

[Find More Mental Health Resources if You Need Help Now](/node/177398 "Bump & Beyond: Get Help Now for Your Mental Health | Boston Medical Center")

## Support with Domestic Violence

Are you or someone you know experiencing domestic violence? Reach out to the [BMC Domestic Violence Team](/domestic-violence-program "Domestic Violence Program | Boston Medical Center") or one of the below resources.

- [Massachusetts SafeLink Hotline](https://casamyrna.org/get-support/safelink/ "SafeLink | Casa Myrna (casamyrna.org)") (English and Español)
    - Call: [877.785.2020](tel:877.785.2020)
    - Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Dial [711](tel:711)
    - Staff has access to translation into other languages
- [National Domestic Violence Hotline](https://www.thehotline.org/ "National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)") (English and Español)
    - Call: [800.799.SAFE](tel:800.799.7233) (7233)
    - Live online [chat](https://www.thehotline.org/ "National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)")
    - Text: Send “START” to [88788](tel:88788)
    - TTY: [800.787.3224](tel:800.787.3224)
- [YWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts](https://ywcanema.org/services/24-hour-hotline/ "24-Hour Hotline | YWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts (ywcanema.org)")
    - Domestic Violence (DV) Hotline: [844.372.9922](tel:844.372.9922)
    - Sexual Assault (SA) Hotline: [877.509.9922](tel:877.509.9922)
- [MA Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA)](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/list-of-domestic-violence-services-by-massachusetts-county "MA Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA): List of Domestic Violence Services by Massachusetts County | Commonwealth of Massachusetts (mass.gov)"): Find a list of domestic violence services by county

 resources-for-families