Watertown
Community Resource
Guide
2009 - 2010
Published by Communities United, Inc. and funded by EEC Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Grant
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Table of Contents
I. Clothing and Food Assistance
pg. 5
II. Health and Safety
pg. 6
III. Recreation and Leisure
pg. 8
IV. Parenting and Family Support
pg. 9
V. Employment and Training
pg. 11
VI. Housing
pg. 13
VII. Legal Aid
pg. 14
VIII. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service
pg. 15
IX. Financial Counseling and Assistance
pg. 16
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I. Clothing / Food Assistance
Clothing
Children’s Clothing Exchange
Magazine St. Cambridge
617-576-0039
Global Thrift Store
322 Moody St. Waltham781-891-5577
Salvation Army
33 Myrtle St
Waltham
781-894-0413
Nutrient and Food Assistance Information
WIC
1-800-WIC-1007
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children serves to
safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at
nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy
eating, and referrals to health care.
Project Bread
1-800-645-8333
Project Bread funds 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, and food banks all
over Massachusetts. Call for local food pantry or meal serving information.
St Patrick Food Pantry
26 Chestnut St
Watertown
617-926-7121
American Red Cross
867 Main St
Waltham
781-642-7000
Collins Food Pantry open Thursday 1-6 p.m.
• Salvation Army: (781) 894-0413, Food pantry, H.O.P.E. Kitchen (meals). 33 Myrtle
St.,Waltham (off Moody St.) Call for information
• Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen (781) 894-1611, daily hot meal at 5:00 p.m. 545 Moody St.,
Waltham
• Watertown Council on Aging (617) 972-6490, Town Emergency Funds, one time food
voucher. 31 Marshall St. Watertown
• SERVE New England (888) 742-7363, low cost food packages for those willing to
volunteer 2 hours a month. Watertown location is Beaverbrook Step, Inc. on Main Street.
www.servenewengland.org
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II. Health and Safety
Commonwealth Connector
1-877-623-6765
The Health Connector is an independent state agency that helps Massachusetts residents
find health care coverage
MassHealth
Customer Service Center 1-800-841-2900
The MassHealth program provides comprehensive health insurance—or help in paying
for private health insurance—to more than one million Massachusetts children, families,
seniors, and people with disabilities
MassHealth Dental Customer Service Center
1-800-207-5019
Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center
564 Main St.
287 Western Ave
Waltham
Allston
781-693-3800
617-783-0500
Accept Commonwealth Care and most other insurance’s and HMO’s.
Help with enrolling in insurance is available to all.
Translation is available in over twenty languages, including Spanish, Portuguese,
Haitian-Creole, Thai, Vietnamese and Russian.
Health Care For All
30 Winter Street, 10th floor, Boston, MA, 02108
Phone: 617-350-7279
Health Care For All is dedicated to making quality, affordable health care accessible to
everyone, regardless of income, social or economic status.
Children’s Hospital Boston at Waltham
9 Hope Ave
Waltham, MA 02453
781- 216-2000
Children's Hospital Boston is a 397-bed comprehensive center for pediatric health care.
As one of the largest pediatric medical centers in the United States, Children's offers a
complete range of health care services for children from birth through 21 years of age.
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Waltham Family Health
671 Main St.
Waltham
781-788-8444
Newton Wellesley Hospital
2014 Washington St
Newton
617-243-6000
Mt. Auburn Hospital
330 Mt. Auburn St
Cambridge
617-492-3500
Franciscan Hospital for Children
30 Warren St.
Boston
617-254-3800
Care and education to children with special health care needs.
Ask-a- Nurse
1-800-544-2424
Will not diagnose your problem, but we can help provide medical information and assist
you with the decision whether you should go to the emergency room, call your doctor or
simply use home care.
Childrens Dental of Waltham
695 Main St, Waltham, MA 02451
781- 899-7070
Walk-Ins And Emergencies Welcome, Sport Mouth Guards, Infant & Toddler Clinic,
Extraction Of Wisdom Teeth, Ages 0-21, We Speak English Spanish & Russian, We Speak
English, Spanish & Russian
Elm Street Dental Associates
52 Elm St.
Waltham
781-899-9530
MassHealth provider for children’s dentistry
Community Optician
326 Moody St.
Waltham
781-894-0081
MassHealth Provider for eye examines and glasses
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III. Recreation and Leisure
Watertown Boys and Girls Club
25 Whites Avenue
Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
617- 926 – 0968
The Watertown Boys and Girls Club is open to children ages 7 thru 18 in the after-school
hours. The Club is available in the afternoons, 2pm-6pm for youth members ages 7-12
and until 6:30pm for members that are 13. After 6:30 pm, the Club is open to our “teen”
members. Summer Camp available.
Waltham YMCA
725 Lexington St
Waltham
781-894-5295
Fitness and Health Programs, Summer Camp and Child Care available
Watertown Public Library
123 Main St.
Watertown
617-972-6431
Reading groups for adults and children, literacy classes, museum passes, movies and
music
Watertown Recreation Programs
149 Main St
Watertown
617-972-6494
The department runs a wide range of programs throughout the year. There are programs
such as arts & crafts, “T” Ball and soccer for pre- school youngsters. Flag-tag football,
basketball, ragball, softball, baton twirling, track and tennis are some of the programs
run for elementary school youngsters. Friday night and vacation drop-in gym programs
and basketball are available for middle school students. This department also conducts
adult basketball, volleyball and tennis programs. The department issues picnic and ball
field permits for the citizens of Watertown to enjoy the towns many outdoor facilities.
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IV. Parenting and Family Support
Massachusetts Citizens for Children
14 Beacon St.
Boston
617-742-8555
A non-profit statewide child advocacy organization, whose mission is to improve the lives
of the state's most vulnerable children through advocacy by concerned citizens.
Child-At-Risk Hotline : 1-800-792-5200
To report suspected child abuse in Mass.
Parents Helping Parents
108 Water St
Watertown, MA 02472
617- 926-5008
Toll free number1-800-632-8188. A volunteer counselor is available 24 hours a day.
Parents Helping Parents runs two parent support programs:
The Parental Stress Line is a 24 hour confidential and anonymous helpline for parents
who need to talk about problems they are having with their children.
Confidential and anonymous Parents Support Groups meet weekly at many locations in
Massachusetts. At these group meetings, parents can talk to other parents about how to
improve their relationships with their children.
Parental Stress Line Hotline
1- 800-632-8188
support and guidance for parents
Childhelp's National Child Abuse
Hotline : 1-800-4-A-CHILD
Nationwide hotline staffed with professional counselors
Child-At-Risk Hotline
1-800-792-5200
Department of Massachusetts Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02210
617-988-6600
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EEC provides funding for the Massachusetts Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
(CCR&R) to provide information for families regarding financial assistance options and
assistance seeking high-quality early education and care programs.
Cambridge • Child Care Resource Center
130 Bishop Allen Drive • Cambridge, MA 02139
617-547-9861 or 617-547-1063 • www.ccrcinc.org
Provides families with useful information on high quality, reliable child care.
Watertown Family Network
460 Main St
Watertown
617-926-1661
Services are offered to all parents and family caregivers of infants and toddlers, ages
babies-to-be to four years old. Families can benefit from supportive information about
child development and healthy approaches to parenting, and opportunities to develop
supportive friendships with other families with young children. Along with resources they
offer workshops and playgroups.
Parent Child Home Program
36 Phillips Darch Road
Watertown, MA
617-926-6699
This is a free home-visiting “learning through play” experience for parents and their
pre-school children. This program helps develop a child’s capacity for communication,
prepares a foundation for success in school, helps mother and fathers become confident
parnts, and strengthens the parent-child relationship through positive interactions.
Children between the ages of 1 and ½ and 4 from income eligible families in Watertown
may apply.
Domestic Violence
Resources for battered women include:
REACH (Waltham): http://reachma.org: hotline: 800-899-4000
RESPOND (Somerville): respondinc.org: hotline: 617-623-5900
SafeLink (State-wide, multi-lingual agency): hotline: 877-785-2020
Children’s Charter
77 Rumford Ave
Waltham
781-894-4307
Childrens Charter offers trauma evaluations, comprehensive family evaluations,
psychological testing and individual, family and group therapy.
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Wayside-Beaverbrook Counseling Center
118 Central Street
Waltham
781-891-0555
Wayside Multi-Service Center
127 North Beacon St
Watertown
617-926-3600
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a non-profit, nationally accredited human
service agency providing individual and family counseling, youth residential programs,
and prevention education to children, youth, and families throughout Eastern and
Central Massachusetts.
Early Steps Integrated Preschool at Hosmer School
1 Concord Rd.
Watertown
617-926-7765
Thom Charles River Early Intervention
411 Waverley Oaks Road
Building #3, Suite 305
Waltham
781- 894-6564
Thom offers an array of services to families, children, and other professionals. Research
findings have proven that comprehensive, high-quality Early Intervention services are
able to minimize the effects of medical and environmental risks, diagnosed disabilities
and developmental delays.
V.
Employment and Training
Employment and Training Resources Newton
449 Newtonville Avenue
Newtonville
617-928-0530
Hours Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Career guidance · career resource library · computer learning lab · education/training
opportunities · e-mail access · employer recruitments · internet access · job
referral/placement · job search workshops · labor market information · personalized
veterans’ services · psychological counseling · resume development · self-assessment ·
self-directed job and training/searches · unemployment claims assistance
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Breaking Barriers
Gabriela Canepa- Director
Email: gcanepa@edc.org
Phone: 617-618-2618
The program emphasizes social and work skills development, basic literacy and ongoing
English language development, job training seminars, exploration of promising job
leads, computer skills, small business opportunities, access to community services, and
networking opportunities.
Power Program
20 Exchange, Waltham, MA 02451
781- 893-0315
The Power Program, which is non-profit, currently offers programs of varying difficulty
taught by qualified teachers. These classes include 10 ESL classes for English, two GED
classes for high school equivalency certificate, a Citizenship class and some mini-classes
for more individualized instruction in a small group setting.
Skills For Life
Marist Missionary Sisters
349 Grove St, Waltham, MA 02453
781- 893-0149
Offering Computer courses for low income residents with high school diplomas or GED
Resources for Developing Computer Skills
• The Watertown Free Public Library offers computer classes on Saturday mornings,
10 am – 12 noon. Stop by the 2nd floor meeting room to learn how to use a computer.
Courses are offered free for 6-10 weeks. Contact Project Literacy at 617-924-8797 or
sviskin@watertown-ma.gov or the Reference Department at 617-972-6436 for more
information. These classes are offered free from a grant from First Literacy until June
2009.
• Charles River Public Computer Center
The Charles River Public Internet Center has 18 computers available for a suggested
donation of $1.00 on an as available basis. Services include: Free Internet and computer
access, instructional courses, professional staff availability, one-on-one tutoring.
Assistive technologies such as large screen monitors, and screen magnification software
are available upon request.
154 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02454
781-891-9559
www.crpic.org
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VI. Housing
WATCH Walthams Alliance to Create Housing
517 Moody Street, Waltham MA 02453.
Phone: 781-891-6689, Fax: 781-891-1703
Staff can assist you in English, French, Kreyol and Spanish
We help low income families change society, find a better place to live, and find better
employment. If you would like to make an appointment, please go to our staff list (below)
and contact the person listed for the service you most need.
MassHousing
One Beacon Street, Boston MA 02108
617.854.1000 Fax: 617.854.1027
masshousing.com
MassHousing is the Commonwealth's affordable housing bank. MassHousing's public
mission is to expand the supply of affordable housing for people who cannot afford a
decent and safe place to live. Since making its first loan in 1970, MassHousing has
invested more than $6 billion in neighborhoods across the state to finance the
development of quality, mixed-income rental communities and to provide affordable
mortgage products that enable low- and moderate-income families to achieve the
American dream of homeownership. Call or go on line for information on various
subsidized apartments across the state.
Watertown Housing Authority
55 Waverley Ave
Watertown
617- 923-3961
Waltham Housing Authority
110 Pond St
Waltham
781-899-6363
Watertown Community Housing Inc.
63 Mt. AuburnStreet
Watertown
617-923-3505.
is a non-profit community development corporation and housing agency. WCH has a
mandate to assist low and moderate income residents of Watertown. WCH’s housing
programs and services include first-time homebuyer counseling, interest-free down
payment loans, home improvement loans and technical assistance. WCH also provides
corporate/employee homebuyers counseling programs for Watertown businesses.
VII. Legal Aid
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Greater Boston Legal Sevices GBLS
197 Friend St.
60 Gore Street, Suite 203
Boston
Cambridge
1-617-371-1234
1-617-603-2700
Toll Free 1-800-323-3205
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance
to low-income people in Boston and thirty-one additional cities and towns. Services
range from legal advice to full case representation, depending on client need.
GBLS serves families whose yearly income does not exceed 125% of Federal Poverty
Income Guidelines ($26,500 for a family of four).
Havard Legal Aid Bureau
23 Everett Street, First Floor
Cambridge
617- 495-4408
The Bureau is a student-run organization composed of approximately 40 second and
third-year student-attorneys, and 7 staff attorneys. Practicing under the Massachusetts
Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03, who provide free legal services in civil (non-criminal)
matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove
legal barriers to economic opportunity.
MIRA
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
105 Chauncy Street, #901
Boston
617-350-5480
Catholic Charities
54 Essex Street
Somerville
617-451-7979
Cal hours Wed and Thurs 10:00 am –12:00 p.m.
Centro Presente
270 Washington Street
Cambridge
617-497-9080 x24
MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In
partnership with its members, MIRA advances this mission through education, training,
leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.
Community Legal Services and Counseling Center
1 West Street
Cambridge
617.661.1010
Serving political asylum cases and domestic violence cases.
VIII.Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service
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Arbour Health Systems
Arbour Health System is the largest private mental health system in Massachusetts. Our
system consists of Arbour Hospital, Boston; Arbour-Fuller Hospital, South Attleboro;
Arbour-HRI Hospital, Brookline; Pembroke Hospital; Westwood Lodge; Lowell
Treatment Center; The Boston Center; Arbour Counseling Services, with eleven locations
throughout eastern Massachusetts; Arbour SeniorCare; and Choate Emergency Services.
Arbour Health System is committed to providing easy access to a comprehensive range of
behavioral health services for patients aged 5 and over
For assistance or admission options twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, please
call the ACCES Center at (800) 22-ACCES (222-2237). Your call will be answered by
an intake coordinator who will ask you a few questions in order to determine what is
most appropriate for your circumstances.
Wayside-Beaverbrook Counseling Center
118 Central Street
Waltham
781-891-0555
Wayside Multi-Service Center
127 North Beacon St
Watertown
617-926-3600
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a non-profit, nationally accredited human
service agency providing individual and family counseling, youth residential programs,
and prevention education to children, youth, and families throughout Eastern and
Central Massachusetts.
Spectrum Health Systems
10 Mechanic St., Suite 302
Worcester
508-792-5400
Spectrum's Behavioral Health Division offers a full array of CARF accredited substance
abuse and mental health treatment services. The Westborough Treatment Campus, based
in Massachusetts, serves as the flagship of Spectrum Health Systems. It is the largest
substance abuse treatment facility in New England, providing inpatient detoxification,
transitional support services and residential rehabilitation. Spectrum also provides a
comprehensive array of ambulatory services to clients at various stages of recovery at
clinics located across the state.
Massachusetts Substance Abuse Hotline
1-800-327-5050
IX. Financial Counseling and Assistance
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American Consumer Credit Counseling
130 Rumford Ave., Suite 202
Newton
Toll Free: 1-800-769-3571
617-559-5700
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization
offering confidential credit counseling and financial education services to consumers
nationwide. ACCC is dedicated to helping people regain control of their finances and
plan for a debt-free future. Founded in 1991 ACCC has over 16 years of counseling
experience and has a staff of professionally trained and certified credit counselors who
assist consumers in providing workable solutions for their financial problems.
Counseling Center Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fuel Assistance
New Watertown applicants apply at:
The Senior Center
31 Marshall St.,
Watertown.
(617) 972-6490,
New applications are taken after 11/1.
Ongoing clients:
Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI)
20 Academy Street, Suite 202
Arlington, MA 02476
(978) 459-6161
1-877-451-1082 - Toll Free
(781) 643-2358 – October - March
DTA (Department of Transitional Assistance) Satellite Office:
Smith Community Health Center
564 Main Street, Waltham, MA
Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm"
Online application (new applicants only): The online application is for new applicants
only and cannot be used for re-certification. www.mass.gov/dta.
If you need to access further resources that are not listed in this packet you can
either call United Way’s Statewide referral service at 211 or log onto
MassResources.org which provides useful information about a wide range of
assistance programs for people in need living in Massachusetts. It provides
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information on what benefits are available, how to apply, eligibility requirements,
benefit amounts, and answers to commonly asked questions.
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