Public Benefits and Community Assistance

Our guide is a great way to learn about and connect to free and low-cost foods in Cambridge.

Here is a list of all the licensed, private individual childcare options in Cambridge (and some in Somerville).

We offer employment training and education programs for TAFDC clients including Young Parents Program, DTA Works Internship, Office of Refugee and Immigrants Program, and more!

We work with 175+ diverse agencies in Cambridge and beyond. These agencies rely on community volunteers to help deliver services, support operations, or lead on their boards of directors.

We provide employment training and job search services to veterans and their families.

You can learn how to apply for temporary income through Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance programs by clicking the links on this page.

De Novo provides individual and group counseling for adults.

The Office of Student Services (OSS) includes a variety of services, supports and programs dedicated to ensuring equitable access and success for students with disabilities.

We provide lunch at noon every day and a continental breakfast six days each week through our drop-in Day Shelter.

Since 1999, we've been offering community meals that are open to all (twice per month from September to June).

We offer a variety of services, supports and programs dedicated to ensuring equitable access and success for students who have a documented risk of regression during the summer months.

We operate a community supper each Thursday evening at Christ Church Cambridge.

Every Saturday, we open our place to the people in need and provide them with hot meals.

We offer nutritious food to those in need, no questions asked! Individuals and families can receive help once per week.

We distribute free, prepared to-go meals twice each month on the second and last Tuesday evenings.

Our food pantry provides individuals and families in need with fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and dry goods, meats, and dairy products.

We offer a food services program that provides emergency food to over 16,000 individuals and families each year.

We are distributing free bags of fresh vegetables, bread, and other food items every Saturday morning.

Our food and supply pantry is open to all on a first come, first served basis until supplies run out.

We work to stabilize housing for eligible Cambridge tenants through mediation and dispute resolution services.

The Just-A-Start Financial Opportunity Program offers free financial coaching from an accredited financial counselor to help people define and reach their financial goals.

The guide is organized around six key themes: affordable housing, emergency housing, housing rights, legal and mediation services, safe & healthy homes, and financial assistance.

We help people apply for and resolve problems with Social Security, SSI, SSDI, TAFDC, and EAEDC.

We currently provided a list of resources, information, and legal advice for people of color and immigrants.

We have several support groups, meetings, and events happening virtually for parents and their children.

Our programs are designed for those most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.

A home visiting programs' primary purpose is to support and encourage parents and caregivers, share information, and connect families with resources in their home and/or a convenient location.