Public Benefits and Community Assistance

Council on Aging offers a wide range of social services and is committed to meeting the needs of seniors.

The CLC offers six levels of English conversation, grammar, reading, and writing classes for Cambridge residents. There are daytime and evening classes. We do not offer online-only classes.

We offer a wide inventory of adult clothing and children's toys and resources.

Riverside offers a structured, therapeutic after-school program for children from the Somerville and Cambridge area ages 6-12 that present with significant emotional and/or behavioral challenges.

In addition to shelter, we offer case management, workshops and trainings, supplemental resources, seasonal support, and more to 126 families in shelter.

We are a daytime, drop-in shelter for unhoused women, trans, and non-binary people where they can find the relationships, safety and resources they need to move out of homelessness.

We provide a shelter for men that includes counseling, meals, clothing, a medical clinic, and day programs.

We are an emergency shelter for homeless women. Guests receive referrals for health care, mental health services, educational services, and housing.

This is a new, city-funded temporary emergency homeless shelter at the Spaulding Hospital will host 58 beds and serve as an adult homeless shelter for guests who test negative for COVID-19.

We promote and maintain socioeconomic diversity in Cambridge by supporting low-, moderate-, and middle-income residents through preserving and expanding affordable rental and homeownership programs.

Our partnership fosters positive development, mental health, safe schools and communities, and limiting juvenile justice involvement through prevention, intervention and diversion services for youth.

Our Primary Care experts can help you and your family live your healthiest lives. We offer Primary Care, Women's Health services, our PACE Program for older adults, and our CHA Pharmacy.

We support Bi+ folks and their loved ones with support groups and resources. We advocate for bisexual visibility and raises awareness about bisexuality throughout the LGBT and straight communities.

We serve LGBTQ+ youth through support, health, advocacy, education, and resources. We are committed to social justice and creating, sustaining, and advocating for services for LGBTQ youth.

We are a paid job readiness training program for teens and young adults.

Contact the MSC if you are living on the street, in emergency shelters or at risk of losing your housing and need help.

We offer fun, informative, and friendly activities for seniors. You can exercise, play games, learn a new skill, speak a new language, and build new relationships! See our monthly calendar for more.

SCES and Senior Centers offering lunches Monday through Thursday.

Riverside Early Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood program that partners with parents to promote children’s healthy development.

The Spot is a volunteer run service that provides clothing, infant supplies, hygiene products and some materials assistance to Cambridge families that are most in-need.

Pathways to Family Success supports low-income Cambridge families with free events, activities, supplies, and community.

We manage a homeless shelter for men and women on Green Street in Cambridge.

We connect people who are homeless in Cambridge to appropriate housing opportunities using our assessment tool.

The Literacy Project offers free classes in English conversation, job hunting and resume writing.

The Cambridge Public Library offers free computer classes, book groups, English classes, makerspace workshops, and lots more upcoming opportunities to learn.

Our team of social workers can help make referrals to community services, help you complete applications, navigate resources, and help connect you to mental health or substance misuse programs.

We offer a monthly delivery of library materials to Cambridge residents who are unable to visit a library due to short- or long-term disability or infirmity.