Helpful Links

LOCAL LINKS:

COMMUNITY SERVICES:

211 – Dial 211 on your telephone to get assistance with essential community services (finding food, healthcare, mental health services, and much more) offered by the United Way.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Disaster & Emergency Planning – A financial guide to help prepare for, recover from or rebuild after a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or other disaster.

Financial Resources: Thrive To Go Financial Coaching Service from the United Way – Get ahead with an array of free and confidential financial coach services.

Legal Resources – Helpful links and resources that can assist you with your legal (housing, family, etc.) information needs.

Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) – MOVA is an independent state agency governed by the Victim and Witness Assistance Board. MOVA strives to advance victim rights by ensuring all victims and survivors of crime across the Commonwealth are supported and empowered through access to high-quality services that are trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, and reflective of diverse communities.

Palmer Public Library Outreach Van – Can’t make it to our library? Let us come to you!

Valley Opportunity Council – The Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) is the largest and most diverse Community Action Agency in the area. With this federal designation, VOC has established a powerful network of support & collaborative services intended to encourage community members to actively achieve self-sufficiency for themselves and their families.

Domestic Violence Assistance:

List of Domestic Violence Services by Massachusetts County: Find resources around the Commonwealth to help you. If it is an emergency call 911.

Palmer Domestic Violence Task Force – Mission Statement: The Palmer Domestic Violence Task Force promotes education and awareness in the community while empowering, educating and providing resources to those who have been affected by Domestic Violence and or Intimate Partner Violence in Palmer or those who have found safety in Palmer. Domestic Violence Community Advocate for Palmer: (413)426-4697.  

Housing Assistance:

COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP) – The COVID Eviction Legal Help Project gives free legal help to low-income tenants and to low-income owner-occupants of 2- or 3-family homes.

Massachusetts Emergency Housing Assistance during COVID-19 – Are you having trouble paying your rent or mortgage because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Have you lost your job or lost income during the COVID-19 health crisis? Are you at risk of becoming homeless? You may be eligible to receive help with paying your rent or mortgage. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers two programs (RAFT & ERMA) that can assist low-income households.


Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP) – The Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP) is a homelessness prevention program. TPP works with tenants, including families of children with disabilities, facing eviction as a result of behavior related to a disability (e.g. mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, aging-related impairments). TPP functions as a neutral party to the landlord and tenant. In consultation with the Housing Court Department, TPP works with the property owner and tenant to determine whether the disability can be reasonably accommodated and the tenancy preserved. They can be reached at 833-912-6878.

Rental Assistance:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Rental Assistance Search – State and local organizations are distributing federal rental assistance in their communities to help landlords and renters who are struggling financially.

Massachusetts Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) – Massachusetts renters with a household income of 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) that are having trouble covering rent and/or utility payments may qualify for assistance.

Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation – will assist you with the eviction assistance application process. Call 413-497-4405 or email janice@qvcdc.org today.

Utilities Assistance:

Massachusetts Utility Assistance – Information on getting assistance from your utilities company and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities

Springfield Partners for Community Action Heating (Gas) Bill Assistance. Learn about their Fuel Fund here.

JOB SEARCHING TOOLS:

Cypress Resume & Cover Letter Creator (Library Card Needed) – An online resume and cover letter builder that enables users to create very basic, but professional looking resumes in three steps, and automates simple cover letters and reference sheets. Users can save resumes and cover letters created with Cypress Resume to a USB drive, Google Drive, email attachment, or create a free account.

MassHire Springfield Career Center – Providing job finding and skill training resources for both the seasoned job searcher or someone just beginning their search.

MassLive Massachusetts Job Search – Search local job openings.

Peterson’s Career Prep – Offers access to clear-cut information on resumes, cover letters, interviewing, and job networking. Personalized career assessments focus on a user’s interests, experience, skills, academic history, values, personality, and workplace preferences.