The CVPR works to improve the health and well-being of people impacted by multiple forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, community violence, and homicide by providing trauma-informed services and programs.
All of CVPR’s direct service programs are:
The Boston Public Health Commission, the country’s oldest health department, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs.
The Commission’s more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Child, Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; Recovery Services; and Emergency Medical Services.
Programs & Services:
Service hours:
The Help Desk hours are from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Requirements & Restrictions:Varies by Program
Languages: Transportation Google MapsThe Bristol Lodge Women’s Shelter provides temporary, emergency shelter accommodations for 12 homeless adult women. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are in need of a bed, you must go through the pre-screening process by calling 781-893-0108, Monday through Friday. Phone calls are accepted beginning at 9:00am.
Upon completion of the intake process, clients are given access to individualized case management services, meant to address and provide referrals for a wide spectrum of topics, including housing, employment, mental health, substance abuse, financial insecurity, nutrition and more.
Requirements & Restrictions:As a department of the City of Cambridge, the Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW) works to promote equity for women and girls and advocates on their behalf with other City departments and officials, local organizations, and state government to increase their opportunities through policy recommendations, program development and public awareness in key issue areas identified by the Commission as significantly affecting women and girls.
The Cambridge Women’s Commission recognizes, supports, and advocates for all who self-identify as women or with womanhood, including transgender, gender fluid, and non-binary persons. CCSW stands with and for all women and girls regardless of immigration status, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability or religion.
COVID-19 update: Due to the pandemic, all city buildings remain closed to the public without an appointment.
Service hours:Mon: 8:30am - 8:00pm
Tues-Thurs: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Fri: 8:30am - 12:00pm
The Women’s Center offers extensive FREE services to women. They provide direct services in a number of areas and will help point women to other local programs if needed. They have a wide array of support groups, classes, and workshops, and two computer labs in a large comfortable house. Pre-COVID women and their children could come in 10am-8pm weekdays and 10am-3pm Saturdays. They could use a phone, the kitchen, which includes food donations, a library, and more. They offer an extensive information, resources, and referral system, as well as provide crisis intervention and peer support counseling for women in crisis though a Helpline and in-person at the Center. The population using the center is very diverse, and includes many experiencing homelessness, women of color, trauma survivors, of different ages and backgrounds. Participant’s confidentiality is respected and they are not subjected to intake questioning.
Currently, drop-in hours are restricted and are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Offerings include:
Check the website for the specific hours
Service hours:Currently open 3-8pm Tuesdays, and noon-5pm Thursdays and Saturdays. Check website for current hours.
The helpline is currently closed.
The Cambridge Women’s Center is a physical and digital community space open to anyone for whom woman is a meaningful identifier or lived experience. It is also open to children (including boys up to 14 years accompanied by mother or caretaker).
Participants are signed in at the front door (front name or pseudonym). There is no formal intake process, and no personal information is required or requested.
Languages: English; volunteers speak other languages as well, and there is a free Spanish/English Conversation Exchange Zoom group 1-2:30pm on Wednesdays. Transportation Google MapsCasa Esperanza, Inc. is a bilingual/bicultural behavioral health facility that specializes in serving men and women with a history of substance abuse in Massachusetts.
Varies by program.
Requirements & Restrictions:Varies by program.
Waiting time: Varies by program Languages: Spanish, English Transportation Google MapsCasa Myrna is Boston’s largest provider of domestic violence awareness efforts and of shelter and supportive services to survivors. Their comprehensive range of services, available in both Spanish and English, provide survivors with tools to recover from the trauma of abuse and begin to build sustainable self-sufficiency.
Free Supports for Survivors
Supportive services are available by appointment during standard office hours.
Hotline is 24/7
Languages: English, Spanish Transportation Google MapsDOVE is a multi-service organization providing comprehensive direct services and support for victims of dating and domestic violence, as well as their children. DOVE’s services include crisis intervention, danger assessment and safety planning, supportive counseling, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and representation, and community outreach, education, and training.
Programs & Services Include:
Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Crisis hotline: 24/7
The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Client services include:
Please note: They have been experiencing technical difficulties with their phone system. Stay connected and contact them via email at empower@dfsboston.org.
Service hours:Monday - Friday 9:30 AM to 4 PM
Languages: Albanian, Chinese Simplified, French, Italian, Portuguese, SpanishThe Elizabeth Stone House partners with adult and child survivors of domestic violence and related trauma – mental illness, housing instability, and substance misuse – to achieve safety, stability, and overall wellbeing.
Service offerings include:
COVID-19 Update: The Elizabeth Stone House building is not open to non-residents, but staff are still available to assist individuals via phone.
Languages: SpanishFenway Health advocates for and delivers innovative, equitable, accessible health care, supportive services, and transformative research and education. They center LGBTQIA+ people, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved communities.
Services
The Sidney Borum, Jr. Health Center, is a program of Fenway Health that provides safe, non-judgmental care for young people ages 12-29 who may not feel comfortable going anywhere else.
Service hours:1.1340 Boylston Street: Mon-Thurs: 7:30am-7:30pm; Fri: 7:30am-6:30pm; Sat: 8:30am-1:30pm
2. South End: Mon-Thurs: 8:00am - 7:00pm; Fri: 8:00am-5:00pm
3. Sidney Borum, Jr. Health Center: Mon-Thurs: 9:00am-7:00pm; Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Jeremiah Program is an organization focused on uplifting families and disrupting generational poverty. They facilitate an experience that partners with families led by single mothers to achieve a college degree while at the same time, preparing their children for educational success.
Jeremiah provides empowerment and life skills training and individual coaching at its home base in Nubian Square. Here, families study, learn, play, socialize, and cook in a supportive environment. Jeremiah assists moms with finding safe and affordable housing and quality early childhood education if needed.
JP Boston’s education partners include Endicott College and Southern New Hampshire University, known for their small classes, supportive faculty and administration with solid track records for supporting students who are parenting. Their partners are committed to the academic and employment success of our young mothers.
Program Benefits
La Alianza Hispana is a community-based organization providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health and education programs to the Latino Community of Greater Boston.
Programs
Service hours:M - F: 9am - 5pm
Requirements & Restrictions:None
Languages: Spanish, English Transportation Google MapsMcGrath House is a 33-bed Community-based Residential Reentry Program for female returning citizens. Residents receive gender-specific evidence-based case management and in-house clinical services that emphasize successful reentry.
Requirements & Restrictions:Women referred by county sheriff’s departments, the Massachusetts Department of Correction, the Massachusetts Parole Board, or the Massachusetts Probation Service. These referrers must prepare a referral packet which will be reviewed based on availability and allocation.
The mission of MJE is to end neighborhood violence by empowering mothers and youth to challenge the normalization of violence and become effective catalysts for change in their homes, schools, and communities.
Programs
New Beginnings Reentry Services, Inc. works in partnership with community agencies to empower and provide supportive services to formerly incarcerated women to successfully rejoin their communities. NBRS addresses the critical issues of education, physical and mental health, as well as personal development through programs and services.
Languages: SpanishOn The Rise is a day program for women and trans/nonbinary individuals currently experiencing or recovering from homeless. We provide tangible, day-to-day essentials in our Safe Haven, including showers, breakfast and lunch, mail, toiletries, computers, a nap room, and more. Our team of Advocates work closely with people on a wide variety of issues, ranging from employment, substance use, mental health, physical health, moving logistics, applying for housing, legal issues/court, and more. For those with the fewest options, we cultivate long-term relationships that foster safety and belonging. Guided by the strength and initiative of our program participants, we join their journey to wellbeing, as skilled partners and advocates.
Service hours:Monday, Wednesday - Friday: 8:30am-3:30pm
Tuesday: 12pm-3:30pm
If you have not visited them or used their services before, they ask that you complete a low-threshold intake with one of their Advocates. There is no formal referral process to engage with their program.
Languages: English, Spanish, Haitian Creole Transportation Google MapsThe mission of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is to ensure every person in the state has access to sexual and reproductive health care and education no matter who they are, where they live, or who they love.
Health services:
Call 800-258-4448, option 2, or click here to schedule an appointment.
Service hours:Hours vary by location. Visit website for more information.
Other Locations:Central MA Health Center:
470 Pleasant Street
Worcester MA 01609
Western MA Health Center:
3550 Main Street
Springfield MA 01107
Metro West Health Center:
91 Main Street
Marlborough MA 01752
Some appointments require parental consent for minors.
Waiting time: Varies. Languages: Translation services are offered for most languages. Transportation Google MapsThe mission of Rosie’s Place is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for poor and homeless women to maintain their dignity, seek opportunity, and find security in their lives.
Service hours:
Hours vary by program
Requirements & Restrictions:Women and anyone who self-identifies as a woman.
Target population: homeless and low-income women
St. Mary’s Center offers a wide variety of programs for women and children. St. Mary’s serves as a safety net for vulnerable families and children–providing a haven and home as well as life-changing programs and services.
Programs
Steppingstone Incorporated’s mission is to strengthen quality of life among individuals and families of our community through providing comprehensive client-center programs and services that enhance well-being and promote independence.
Offering various programming including:
See website for programming location details
VA Boston health care supports the health, welfare, and dignity of female Veterans and their families by ensuring equal access to timely, sensitive, and quality care. A women Veteran care coordinator can help you get the services you need.
Their women’s health program offers Women Veterans comprehensive care, including:
West Roxbury VA Medical Center
1400 VFW Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 02132
Brockton VA Medical Center
940 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Causeway VA Clinic
251 Causeway Street
Boston, MA 02114
Coaching Into Care is a free service for families and friends of Veterans. Our responders will briefly assess your concerns and provide appropriate resources and referrals. Through 10 to 30 minute calls, licensed psychologists and social workers offer guidance and help for starting conversations with the Veteran in your life about their mental health or substance use and motivating them to seek treatment if it’s needed.
Healthy meals, essentials, and one-on-one assistance from a unique daytime shelter and advocacy center in Boston dedicated to helping women in need.
A nutritious breakfast and lunch, seasonal gear, toiletries, undergarments, feminine hygiene products and other basic necessities are always available at their 67 Newbury St. location. Advocates provide individualized services to guests, and free medical services are available from Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.
Mon-Sat 7:00AM-2:00PM
Requirements & Restrictions:Anyone that identifies as a woman is welcome and their children (though services are for adult women only).
The Women’s Prison and Re-Entry Project serves women incarcerated in Massachusetts’ prisons and jails, or those who have been involved with the criminal justice system. The Project normally operates at South Bay House of Correction in Suffolk County. In teams, volunteer attorneys meet with women and answer questions regarding family law, child custody, care and protection, housing, CORI, and criminal warrant clearing. During COVID-19 they are not visiting prisons or jails in person but are available to do Zoom educationals as requested by facilities or re-entry programs.
WPRP has launched a new Clemency Project which offers legal representation regarding petitions for clemency to incarcerate women serving long sentences. For more information, please contact Lola Remy, Director of Pro Bono Programs at LRemy@womensbar.org
Meetings are normally held quarterly at Women’s Bar Foundation (WBF) Offices, 5:00-6:30 PM, but during the pandemic, they are held by Zoom (dates on website). Please contact Lola Remy at the WBF for Zoom link information at lremy@womensbar.org
Located in the Opportunity Center, the Framingham Women’s Transition Program offers a safe and supportive environment where female ex-offenders can get the support they need to make a successful transition to life in the community. Program participants are assigned a case manager who will assist them in developing an Individual Service Plan (ISP) designed to meet their personal goals.
Requirements & Restrictions:To be eligible for services, an individual must meet one of the following criteria:
As the first YWCA in the nation, YW Boston helps individuals and organizations change policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors with the goal of creating more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and especially women of color can succeed.
The F.Y.R.E. Initiative is YW Boston’s leadership and empowerment program for middle school girls in the Greater Boston area. The program’s curriculum incorporates social justice education, positive identity development, and civic engagement. Each weekly session is designed to promote dialogue and experiential learning to cultivate empathy and increase social-emotional learning.