Last updated: April, 2025

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GENERAL

 

If you need help with accessing support and resources:

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• If you are an Arlington resident who is under the age of 60 and need additional support accessing local or statewide resources, contact the town Community Resource Specialist, Libby Lazar: 781-316-3255 ext.13271, LLazar@town.arlington.ma.us. Contact in any language, translation services available.

• If you are an Arlington resident who is 60 or older and need additional support accessing local or statewide resources, contact the Council on Aging Social Worker, Marci Shapiro-Ide : 781-316-3419.

• Salvation Army’s Emergency Assistance Program: A wide variety of assistance is offered to individuals and families in need and is available on an as-needed basis. Assistance can be for utilities, clothing, food, rent/mortgage, counseling and more. Visit or call 617.547.3400 to schedule an appointment.

 

If you want to connect people with resources for food, education employment, housing, health, etc. in Arlington:

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• Safety Net provides services through the Town of Arlington: resource guides are in multiple languages

• The Arlington town website has a complete list of resources to help: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/departments/health-human-services/assistance-programs

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LEGAL

 

If you need assistance regarding potential criminal cases:

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• Contact the District Attorney's office https://www.middlesexda.com and ask to speak to a Victim Witness Advocate so they can take a statement from you and give you information about the criminal case as they proceed with it. 

 

If you need to refer someone for any kind of legal aid:

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• https://mlac.org/

• https://massclavc.org/find-legal-help/

• https://www.gbls.org/

• https://legalservicescenter.org/

• https://vlpnet.org/

 

If you need help with resources to help find a lawyer:

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• https://www.massbar.org/public/lawyer-referral-service

• https://www.mass.gov/info-details/finding-a-lawyer

 

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IMMIGRATION

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If you need to know your rights:

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• Massachusetts Immigration & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) Know Your Rights materials

  • English

  • Arabic

  • Kriolu-Cabo Verde

  • Español

  • Português

  • Kreyòl ayisyen

  • Traditional Chinese

  • Simplified Chinese

  • Russian

  • Somali

  • Ukrainian

  • Vietnamese

  • French

• Massachusetts state resources for immigrants

• ACLU Massachusetts Know Your Rights materials

• Know Your Rights No Matter Who is President from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC)

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If you need to learn how to respond:

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• Immigrant Defense Hotline from Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR): 617-988-0606 or hotline@lawyersforcivilrights.org

• Procedural Guidance for Responding to Federal Immigration Enforcement at Schools from Boston Public Schools

• Family Preparedness Packets from MassLegalServices

  • English​

  • Español

  • Português

  • Kreyòl ayisyen

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If you need a lawyer:

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• Bos Legal Group

• Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR)

 

Arlington Police Department's policy toward federal immigration law:

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• https://www.arlingtonma.gov/departments/police/federal-immigration-law-policy

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If you want ideas for how you can help:

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• Current Opportunities to Support Asylum Seekers compiled by the Massachusetts Interfaith New Neighbor Coalition

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MENTAL HEALTH

 

If you need referrals:

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• Mass Behavioral Help Line is for any person that needs to be connected to care for mental health or substance use. Call or Text 833-773-2445

• Arlington Youth Counseling Center serves Arlington youth ages 3-21 and their families

• Cristina Valeri, Mental Health Clinician Arlington Police Department, cvaleri@town.arlington.ma.us

• Cartwheel Care is available to all Arlington Public Schools students & families. Services are virtual & include short-term individual & group therapy, parent/caregiver consultation. After an initial session, additional services may include medication evaluation & prescription, & longer-term support. Referrals to Cartwheel Care go through school based support staff. 

• Free Outpatient Therapist Referral Service for Arlington residents 18+: William James Interface Referral Network: is a free outpatient therapist referral service for Arlington residents 18+; 888-244-6843 (toll free)  Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 

• MA Behavioral Health Helpline provides clinical help 24 hours/day in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language 

 

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FOOD INSECURITY

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If you want to provide information about supplemental food assistance:

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• Arlington Eats provides food to all Arlington residents. To make a shopping appointment, go online or call the hotline and someone will call you back: 339-707-6761

  • Fresh Bucks SNAP match at the Farmer’s Market: Each week, SNAP card holders can come to the Arlington EATS booth at the farmers’ market and receive a match up to $15 in Fresh Bucks for any SNAP purchase made at the farmers’ market. Fresh Bucks may be used with most vendors. (June - October; Wednesdays from 2:00-6:30 pm)

• Neighbors Eating All Together (NEAT) - Free monthly community meals

• SNAP Application assistance; call Council on Aging (all ages); 781-316-3400

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HOUSING

 

If you need help with rent assistance, moving expenses, or security deposit for eligible households:

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• Housing Corporation of Arlington 

  • Renea Duran, Social Services Coordinator, rduran@housingcorparlington.org

  • Homelessness Prevention Grant Program – HCA 

 

If you need general information:

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• Arlington Housing Authority

  • Marjorie Chérubin,, Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator, MCherubin@arlingtonhousing.org; 781-646-3400 x300 

  • Arlington Resource Coordinator at Arlington Youth Counseling Center, serves all of Arlington & all ages

  • Somerville Homeless Coalition - contact Hannah O’Halloran, Director of Homeless Services, hohalloran@shcinc.org

 

If you need eviction information:

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• Eviction Legal Help - assists low-income tenants and owner-occupants

 

If you need help with mediation, financial support:

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• Just a Start - Elizabeth Winston, Housing and Mediation Services Director, at ElizabethWinston@justastart.org or 617-918-7518 for more information.

 

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FUEL ASSISTANCE

 

If you want to provide information about how to obtain fuel assistance:

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• LIHEAP Fuel Assistance for eligible Arlington households can be applied for by contacting the Arlington Council on Aging regardless of age. Application opens October 1. 

• Town of Arlington Heating Assistance Fund also offers help with heating costs after LIHEAP grant is spent. Contact Council on Aging 781-316-3400.

 

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SCHOOLS

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• Margaret Credle Thomas, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice, mthomas@arlington.k12.ma.us

• Arlington Public Schools Bullying Prevention and Intervention web page includes Bullying Report Form

• Arlington Public Schools Family Welcoming and Resource Center - caregivers can receive support and information for in- and out-of-school resources and help

• Reporting a Microaggression at Arlington High School

 

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LITERACY

 

If you need to connect people for English language learning:

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• Lamplight Women's Literacy: Free English Classes for students with low income. Day & evening class times. All levels. September through June. Classes are fun & teach English speaking, listening, reading, & writing skills. Register online. Questions: call 781-859-7922 or email lisa@lamplightliteracy.org

• Arlington Community Education provides beginner and post-beginner classes and conversational groups

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