District 8 Resources
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Hotlines
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For non-emergency assistance or constituent services issues 24/7, call Boston 311 or Massachusetts 211
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
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The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
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The Trevor Project is a 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth.
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Youth can also use TrevorChat, a confidential online instant messaging system available on their website, or TrevorText by texting START to 678-678 to talk with a Trevor counselor.
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All three features are available 24/7 year round.
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Samaritans Statewide Helpline: 1-877-870-4673
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The Samaritans Statewide Helpline is available to anyone in Massachusetts who is need of emotional support. Anyone can call or text the helpline to receive help from specially trained volunteers.
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Age Strong, resources for people 55+: 617-635-4366
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Domestic Violence Hotlines
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If you are a survivor of domestic violence, you have access to resources that may help you, such as:
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Hotlines to help you find resources available to you
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Safe and confidential shelter
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Planning for your safety
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Legal assistance
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NOTE: Information on computers, phones, and other electronic devices may be traceable. If you’re worried about your abuser tracking your steps this way, please call or text a hotline.
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National Domestic Violence Hotline **texting option**
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1-800-799-7233
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TTY 1-800-787-3224
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If you’re unable to talk safely log into thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522
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SafeLink Domestic Violence Hotline (operated by Casa Myrna)
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877-785-2020
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877-521-2601 (TTY/hearing impaired)
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Provides support in over 130 languages
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Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
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800-841-8371
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Online Chat is also available 9AM to 11PM.
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617-742-4911 (voice and TTY)
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The Network/La Red hotline provides emotional support, information, and safety planning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and/or transgender (LGBTQ) folks, as well as folks in SM/kink and Polyamorous communities who are being abused or have been abused by a partner
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617-338-2355
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Serves Mandarin Chinese, English, Hindi, Japanese, Central Khmer (Cambodian), Korean, Nepali, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese, Tue Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese
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Domestic Violence counselors answer hotlines 24 hours a day and can assist you in locating a shelter, help plan for your safety, or direct you to local resources. The locations of domestic violence shelters are confidential and to protect all survivors placed there. The best way to get into a domestic violence shelter is through a referral from the SafeLink Domestic Violence Hotline.
COVID-19 Resources
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For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Massachusetts, text COVIDMA to 888-777.
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For Boston specific COVID-19 updates, text BOSCOVID to 99411
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For the latest information about case counts, access the Boston COVID-19 Cases Dashboard
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Vaccine Resources
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Everyone age 12 and up is now eligible for the COVID vaccine.
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Check with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) as some offices have their own system to notify patients if they are eligible
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Find your nearest COVID-19 testing site.
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District 8 Testing Sites (see website for hours and to make an appointment):
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Fenway Health Center
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Massachusetts General Hospital
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For information about healthcare and health services:
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Mayor’s Health Line: 617-534-5050
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MA Dept of Public Health Emergency Hotline: 617-983-6800
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MA Attorney General’s Health Care Division: 1-888-830-6277
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Housing Resources
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If you’re worried about losing your housing, contact the Office of Housing Stability
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Call 617-635-4200 or email housingstability@boston.gov for help.
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Other eviction resources:
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Greater Boston Legal Services: 617-371-1234
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If you’re facing eviction, call City Life’s hotline: 617-934-5006 (English).
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Si se enfrenta al desalojo, llame a línea directa de Vida Urbana: 617-397-3773 (Español).
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COVID Eviction Legal Help (CELHP):
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Provides free legal help to low-income tenants and to low-income owner occupants of 2 or 3 family homes at risk of losing their homes.
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Visit their website to get legal help.
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Know Your Rights! City of Boston Eviction Guide
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Access court case information through the Massachusetts Trial Court.
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General resources on accessing affordable housing:
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Boston Housing Authority: 617-988-4000
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Boston Office of Housing Stability: 617-635-4200
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Learn more about and apply for Section 8 Housing Assistance.
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Resources for homeless individuals:
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Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless 781-595-7570
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Emergency Homelessness Assistance: 877-382-2363
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Help paying rent:
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Fair Housing Resources (File a discrimination complaint)
- Boston Office of Fair Housing and Equity: 617-635-2500 or fairhousing@boston.gov
- If you feel like you've experienced housing discrimination in Boston, you can submit an intake form.
- Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination: 617-994-6000
- TTY: 617-994-6196
- Español, 中文, Kreyòl Ayisyen, русский, Português, etc.: 617-994-6071
- Boston Office of Fair Housing and Equity: 617-635-2500 or fairhousing@boston.gov
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Renter's Rights/Help with Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Greater Boston Legal Services 617-371-1234
- Find more information at the Office of Housing Stability website. To contact OHS, call 617-635-4200 or email housingstability@boston.gov. OHS will never ask about legal status.
Food Access
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Office of Food Access: 617-635-3717 or food@boston.gov
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If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, contact Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333. Information is available in 160 languages, and they offer a TTY hotline for individuals who are hearing impaired at 1-800-377-1292.
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Apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps).
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Project Bread: 1-800-645-8333
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If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, call Project Bread’s hotline. Information is available in 160 languages, and they offer a TTY hotline for individuals who are hearing impaired at 1-800-377-1292
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Food Access Sites in District 8
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Fresh food is available every other Wednesday from 3:30-4:30pm at the Fenway Community Center and at Symphony Community Park.
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You can request a delivery or volunteer by filling out this form: bit.ly/FenwayCaresFood
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Food distribution available every Thursday from 4-6pm
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Located at Boston Temple Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 105 Jersey St.
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Pre-register as a client beforehand.
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Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:30am-1:30pm
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Located at the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library
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Call ABCD at 617-523-8125 to make an appointment.
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Transportation
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The LINK is a community bus run by community volunteers for anyone to ride.
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It circles the hill from Brigham Circle to Mission Main and Alice Taylor, to the Benjamin Nursing Home and Landmark Assisted Living on the Back of the Hill and New England Baptist Hospital on the top of the hill. This very local service was established in the late 1970s to fill a need for improved transportation options for residents.
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The LINK is not a free service; it is an affordable way to get to the MBTA at Brigham Circle; to doctors appointments at the hospitals; to local banks, restaurants, Walgreens or Stop & Shop for groceries and home from all of those locations. The LINK exemplifies transit justice, making it possible for many people to continue to live in the neighborhood who might otherwise not be able to travel about, especially during bad weather, and without incurring the expense of cab fare.
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