COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE
You are not alone. It is not uncommon for people to find themselves amid a personal crisis. Whether it is related to health, safety, finances, or something else, we have resources below to help.
For Kids
Free eBooks about COVID -19 for Children: A curated collection of free e-books for children of varying ages and in multiple languages. From the New York City School Library System.
Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus (NPR): Comic includes information from healthcare experts interviewed for an NPR story. The comic can also be printed and folded into a zine (En Español).
First Aid for Feelings workbook / Primeros Auxilios Emocionales / Les émotions trousse des premiers soins. Scholastic.
COVID-19 Time Capsule: Printable pages to record feelings, family moments, memories, letters to self, and more (En Español).
Coronavirus Infographic and Game (Tumblehome Books): Free resources for teaching children about the Coronavirus and hygiene.
For Parents/Caregivers
To Take Care of Others, Start by Taking Care of Yourself: (Tips from the Harvard Business Review)
handhold (MA DMH): Created by a team of mental health and child development experts in partnership with parents to guide you in caring for your child’s mental health and emotional well-being (En Español).
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource (NASP/NASN): Guidelines from the National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses
For Adults
Action Inc.: Local branch of the Community Action Partnership assists all on Cape Ann struggling with poverty.
Action Inc. Fuel Assistance Program: Help with heating costs and energy efficiency.
Adult Foster Care of the North Shore: Provides family, financial, and social support for caregivers, clients, and professionals.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Find local meeting information and helpful literature.
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: (1-800-841-8371) The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center has a 24/7 hotline for survivors of sexual violence ages 12 or older. The hotline is also available to survivors’ friends and families, as well as other professionals.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.
Department of Unemployment Assistance: Apply for unemployment or report benefits fraud. Información para Solicitantes del Seguro de Desempleo (DUA)
Disaster Distress Helpline: (1-800-985-5990) SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support (En Español).
DrugRehab.com: Filled with tools and resources to overcome addiction and pursue lifelong recovery.
Find a Therapist in Massachusetts (Psychology Today): Includes qualifications, specialties, and a personal statement.
HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change): Free services for victims of abuse.
Learn to Cope: A peer-led support network that offers education, resources, and hope for family members and friends who have loved ones affected by substance use disorder.
NAMI Massachusetts COMPASS: COMPASS is the information and referral helpline at NAMI Massachusetts. They provide resources and support to help people navigate the complex mental health system and solve problems under challenging circumstances (En Español).
NAMI Massachusetts Family Support Groups: Meeting now by conference call instead of in-person (En Español).
National Runaway Safeline: (1-800-786-2929) The National Runaway Safeline helps youth who have run away, are thinking about running away, or who already ran away but are ready to come home. Parents and guardians can also contact the hotline if they are worried about their child running away or having already left home. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Youth, parents, and guardians can also use the online chat feature on the Runaway Safeline’s website to ask for help and get support or send a text to 66008.
North Shore Elder Services: Offers a variety of services and programs for elders.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800-273-8255) The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of local crisis centers that are available 24/7 to provide support for youth and adults in any emotional crisis.
The Network/La Red: (1-800-832-1901) The Network/La Red hotline provides support, information, and safety planning to anyone in the LBGTQ community who is being abused or has been abused by a partner. The hotline is also open to friends and family and others who work on domestic violence issues in the LGBTQ community. The hotline is available 24/7.
The Open Door Food Pantry: Offers weekly curbside grocery pickup, as well as pet food and diapers.
SafeLink: 1-877-785-2020 SafeLink is for anyone who is being affected by domestic violence or dating violence. Volunteers at SafeLink speak English and Spanish, and SafeLink also has a service that can provide translation in more than 130 languages.
Samaritans Statewide Helpline: (1-877-870-4673) The Samaritans Statewide Helpline is available to anyone in Massachusetts who needs emotional support. Anyone can call or text the helpline to receive help from specially trained volunteers.
SeniorCare: Provides services for elders enabling them to live independently while remaining part of their community.
Therapy Matcher (NASW MA): Free telephone referral service has connected thousands of people with licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSWs) across Massachusetts
The Trevor Project: (1-866-488-7386) The Trevor Project is a 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth. Youth can also text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200 for support or use the online chat feature on The Trevor Project’s website. TrevorText is available Monday-Friday between 3-10 PM. TrevorChat is open seven days a week between 3-10 PM.
Wellspring House: Help finding local shelters, affordable housing, and job training.
Fun and Entertainment
Authors Everywhere: This is a Youtube Channel created and run by children’s book writers and illustrators. You’ll find workshops, readings, activities, art projects, writing games, writing advice, and more on this channel.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka: “Draw Every Day” videos with award-winning Massachusetts writer and illustrator.
#StoryMarch & #StoryMarchWrite: A fun way for artists and writers of every age to stretch themselves a little and have fun using prompts every day to inspire creativity!
Story Preservation Initiative: You’ll find a selection of audio stories from three master storytellers on the K-3 Storytelling Learning Lab, found at www.storypreservation.org. To access, click K-3 Learning Lab on the blue banner. A one-time registration is required, then click on “storytellers” and listen and enjoy at no cost.
Spanish children’s stories (The Spanish Experiment): Well-known children’s stories translated into Spanish and spoken by a native Spanish speaker. Great for kids and adults too! Read along in Spanish or English. The site also includes free Spanish lessons.
Tip: Scroll to the bottom to find similar sites for French, German, and Italian!
Skype a Scientist: This organization offers children and families opportunities to interact with scientists from around the world. Click the “Events” tab to view pre-planned live group sessions, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, click “For Families,” and you will be matched with your very own scientist to chat about science (En Español)!
Free Family History Activities for Kids: Free, easy-to-do activities will keep kids entertained and get them thinking about their family history. From American Ancestors and the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Storytimes and Activities for Kids (MBLC We’re in this Together): Video storytimes from Massachusetts libraries.
Storyline Online: Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
Mazza Museum Storytimes: Upbeat, fun stories for morning and evening stories to help you wind down for the night. From the Mazza picture book museum in Ohio.
Story Time From Space: Story Time from Space is a project of the Global Space Education Foundation
Cape Ann Trails: Take a look at the many hiking and walking trails of the area, for even for detailed information including beaches and town landings, look through the Rockport Trail Guide.
Please let us know if you have questions or suggestions regarding this resource guide!